Don’t’ wait until the Fall if you want to sell your home this year.

There is a commonly held belief that it’s a waste of time to try selling a house until the middle of the summer. Nonsense!  Summer is traditionally when most sales happen, but you need to start marketing your house now.

End of the school year is generally the time of year when many people make life-changing decisions.  Relocation, downsizing, new neighborhood or school district… all kinds of things that could mean moving to a new home. So what can you do to make sure you help your house find it’s perfect new owner?  Here are five tips to get you started:

FIVE… Be proactive:

Use the grey days and unpredictable weather of late spring to your advantage.  If you are staying in the house: Purge, clean, put things into storage that aren’t needed this time of year.

Make sure your house is warm, inviting, and other people can see themselves living there.  Minimize family pictures and replace ones on the walls with mirrors.  Especially in the Pacific Northwest, mirrors can brighten small spaces such as hallways!

FOUR… Bright and warm welcome:

Make sure your home feels comfortable.  If viewings will happen while you are at work, keep the settings at a decent temperature and keep the lights on.  A little increase in the utility bill won’t be much of a bother if it helps the next owners feel welcome when they arrive.

THREE… Keep it tidy outside too:

There is nothing you can do to show off the splendor of your yard or garden when it’s not in full bloom… or is there?  Clean the leftover pine needles or leaves off the patio. Keep the lawn and borders tidy, and if you have pictures of your gardens in full bloom, have them in the windows that overlook that space. Add some potted color bowls by the front door to add to your curb appeal!

TWO… Don’t ban shoes:

Instead of insisting that visitors remove their shoes, supply disposable covers and on really muddy days put good mats inside and outside of each entry way. Plan to clean as needed.  Many people feel uncomfortable without their shoes on, and uncomfortable people are not in a buying frame of mind.  

The number ONE thing you can do…  Work with the right partner:

Find a Realtor® that you are comfortable with.  Look for someone who listens to you and works with you.  Be clear, informative, and upfront with your expectations and helpful with providing details your agent needs to best represent your house.

Remember that this is a partnership and effort is needed on both sides for success!