Blog
Spruce Up Your Home for Selling Season
Jan 23, 2015
There’s an old real estate myth that you should only try to sell your home in the spring. Though spring is typically the busiest season for buying and selling homes, real estate sales happen 365 days a year.
Some of the best sales happen in off-peak seasons, especially if you take the time to emphasize the seasonal amenities of your home. Consider your personal situation and ask yourself a few key questions: How quickly do I need to move? When will my home be most desirable?
The market in Hilton Head and Bluffton stays pretty active all year long, with our mild winters and warm, beautiful summers. Many buyers prefer to move in early spring or summer, but those seeking warmer temperatures in winter tend to start shopping late summer, early fall. Here are a few ways to accentuate the best parts of your home in any season.
Winter Selling Tips
- Stage the outside of your home. Even if the grass is brown and the trees are bare, you can still do some outdoor staging. Tasteful wreaths and warm lighting can make your home seem very welcoming. Just like inside the house, choose seasonal decor that will appeal to a wide variety of buyers.
- Make it cozy inside. When the weather is chilly, a cozy, warm interior will help anyone feel at home. Whether you have gas logs or traditional wood-burning fireplace, light it up and show it off! Burn some scented candles and place warm, soft throws and pillows on the furniture.
- Clean up your windows. Clean, clear windows let in more light during dull, gray winter days. Pull back dark curtains, add a colorful shade or valance, or replace window treatments with white or light sheers for a more elegant look.
Spring Selling Tips
- Bring your yard back to life. If you decide to sell in the spring, you need to whip your yard into shape as soon as possible. Clean up debris, and get hardy, frost-resistant plants that won’t be affected by a late cold spell.
- Do some spring cleaning. Start scrubbing! A clean, sparkling home will impress buyers and make your home more appealing.
- Pack and store your winter wardrobe. Bulky winter clothes can take up a lot of space. Organize your closets, box up your winter clothes, and put them into storage. Buyers are always looking for more closet space!
- Refresh and renew the entryway. If your welcome mat is worn or stained with dirt, pick up a new one. Replace light bulbs in outdoor fixtures. A clean doorway is a great first impression and will help set the tone for the rest of the showing.
- Bring spring fragrances indoors. Spring is colorful and delightfully aromatic. Infusing spring scents into your decor with diffusers, candles, or fresh cut flowers can effect mood and enhance the overall feeling of a home.
- Brighten your home with color. Store your heavy, dark winter blankets and pull out crisp linens with coverlets for a pop of color. Bring spring inside with floral prints or bright, colorful solids. Accent pillows can add fresh style and comfort.
Summer Selling Tips
- Highlight your outdoor areas. In a beach destination like Hilton Head, summer is your home’s chance to shine. Clean off your deck, porch, or patio and repaint and make necessary repairs. Arrange outdoor furniture in a way that creates more space and makes your outdoor areas more inviting.
- Play up the pool. A swimming pool is a huge selling point during the summer, especially if it’s really hot outside. Keep your pool clean and free of leaves and debris. Create an inviting seating area near the pool where buyers can imagine themselves relaxing by the water.
- Spruce up your landscaping. Water your lawn and flower beds regularly to keep them from drying up in the summer heat. Add some color to your entryway with potted plants. Maybe add a palmetto tree or two!
- Add value and security with lighting. Frame your walkways and driveways with lights for a stylish touch.
- Don’t be stingy with air conditioning. Keep your home at a cool, comfortable temperature. House hunters often look at several homes in a day and will be thankful for any chance to get out of the heat.
- Provide refreshments. Treat buyers like you would party guests. During the long, hot days of summer, set out an ice-cold pitcher of water or lemonade and maybe a fresh fruit tray for buyers.
Fall Selling Tips
- Keep your lawn in shape. Patch up any brown spots in the grass, and rake up any fallen leaves at least once a week.
- Transition your garden for fall. As summer plants start to fade, replace them with brightly-colored mums or other autumnal plants. Tasteful fall decorations, like small pumpkins or tri-colored corn, can also add to your home’s curb appeal.
- Decorate the indoors for fall. Get a few fall-colored decorations for inside your home, like inexpensive window treatments or seasonal dinnerware. Season-appropriate decor will make your space seem current and well-maintained.
- Repair outside lights. You may have to show your home in the dark, as the days start to get shorter. Make sure all of your outdoor lights are clean, bright, and working properly.
- Keep your photos up-to-date. If you listed your home in the summer, update your online photos with new fall shots. Old pictures can make your listing seem dated.
For more tips on selling your home in Hilton Head, contact the realtors at Hilton Head Island Real Estate Brokers.
