Are you putting your home on the market? If you hope to sell by fall, now’s the time to dive in. The right home preparations can help you attract and impress buyers, but it’s important to be mindful of the season. Here are a few tips for boosting your home’s appeal in the summer.

 

Price your home appropriately

At any time of year, setting the right price for your home is one of the keys to a successful sale. An effective pricing strategy will depend on many factors—from the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you have, to the desirability of your neighbourhood.

The state of the local market also matters. Right now, mortgage stress tests are having an impact on buyer behaviour in Calgary. Your Realtor can help determine whether these conditions should affect your pricing strategy or not. Based on the many considerations involved, they’ll help you come up with a price that’s fair, but competitive.

 

Add Curb Appeal to Your Home

The first things potential homebuyers see as they approach your home is its exterior. Use the following tips to ensure that it’s inviting.

Clean it up

Walkways and front steps get dusty. There’s one way to fix that: give them a good sweep and hose them down!

Get out the paint

Look at your siding, wooden trim, and window frames. Are they chipped or faded? If so, a fresh coat of paint will drastically improve your home’s appeal.

Pro tip: painting your front door a vibrant colour can make your home stand out.

Lay out the welcome mat

I mean that literally. If you have a worn out or faded mat laid out at your front door, replace it. It’s an easy way to freshen up your entrance.

Add decorative elements

To make your entranceway more visually interesting, consider adding stylish light fixtures or a flower box.

Do some landscaping

Trust me: your yard matters. And in the summer, homebuyers will be looking particularly closely at your outdoor space.

Put some time into making sure your lawn is healthy, green, and mowed. Prune your bushes and shrubs to give them a more polished appearance, and make sure that your garden space is well maintained.

A word of warning: don’t go overboard. Complicated landscaping work is often hard to take care of—a major turnoff for some buyers.

Check your roof for damage

We Calgarians are used to summer rain. If your roof has never been damaged by a heavy rainfall, consider yourself lucky. If you’re not sure whether it’s in need of repair, now’s the time to check. I can tell you from experience, many homebuyers will ask about the condition of your roof.

 

Turn on the AC

We’re lucky enough to have many temperate summer days in this city. But when it gets hot outside, buyers expect to walk into a cool environment. I recommend making sure your HVAC system is in good working order before you start setting up showings. Once you know your air conditioning works, set it for around 19˚C.

 

Stage for summer

what does it mean to stage for summer? Open your curtains and let the sun in. Place a vase of flowers on your kitchen table. If you usually use dark towels and linens, consider replacing them with lighter-coloured items. Seasonal decorative touches capitalize on the good feelings associated with summer. For buyers, the affect is truly memorable.

 

Planning to put your home on the market? Let us help you make buyers fall in love with your house. Get in touch, and let’s talk about it!