Reasons To Sell Your Home In August

Most people are aware that historically, the best time to sell your home is in the spring. Inspiration is in the air, the weather is getting warmer, gardens are beginning to look bright again and many buyers are eager to kick the year off with a new home.

But does this mean you should avoid selling once this spring window has passed?

Absolutely not.

There is Strong Demand

Most people do not begin viewing potential new homes until they have offers relating to their current property. Therefore, selling your home later in the summer is an excellent option if you are part of a longer chain.

Those who have marketed their home in the late spring may find that they cannot attract and accept offers until the middle of summer. Therefore, they will be searching for homes in August.

With a less saturated market at this time of year, it is far more likely they will find your property.

Decreased Competition

Yes, the market is slightly slower in August due to holidays and schools being closed, but that means that your home will potentially face less competition.

Determined buyers will have a smaller selection of homes to choose from, and therefore there is a much greater chance of increased interest and buyers driving up the sale cost.

Progress is Progress

Your home could take longer to sell in the summer months.

Those with children are preoccupied with arranging childcare, and therefore they are slower to book viewings and can often be unreliable. Also, many people choose to holiday during this period, so they are not contactable in the same capacity they usually would be.

However, this does not mean your home will not sell; it simply means it might take a few extra weeks.

Try to embrace the slightly less hectic and more laid back market in the late summer months.

Your Home Photographs Beautifully

The key to a successful house sale is exceptional marketing materials. These marketing materials have three key elements: a beautifully written informative description, a detailed floorplan, and incredible photographs.

Summer provides the best lighting to capture these fantastic images.

Great Weather Incentivises Viewers

The restrictions of the pandemic caused a steep rise in online video viewings in the housing market. These are incredibly beneficial to both buyer and seller, allowing for more flexibility and encouraging quicker sales.

However, most buyers will want to view a home in person before placing a formal offer on the property.

The warmer weather and brighter evenings encourage buyers to make an effort to view your home.

When the autumn begins to creep upon us and the days get substantially shorter, prospective buyers are much less incentivised to make the journey after work to view your property.

Settled for Christmas

The festive period is one of the most cherished in all of our calendars. It’s something we all look forward to, and throughout December, we all spend a tremendous amount of time at home entertaining guests.

Therefore, most prospective buyers who haven’t secured a deal in the summer are eager to complete before the onset of winter.

Marketing your home in August allows for plenty of time to be settled into a new house before the start of the Christmas period.

Top Tips for Selling Your Home in August

Control The Temperature

It’s not often in the UK that we are blessed with scorching hot summers. However, you want your buyers to be as comfortable as possible, taking their time to view your property.

Therefore, if you are lucky enough to show your home on a particularly beautiful day, open the windows wide to let in the fresh air.

Declutter and De-personalise

As with any other time of the year, it is crucial that you thoroughly declutter your home before allowing potential buyers to view it.

However, it is never as important as in the summertime, when viewers expect to see a bright, fresh blank canvas.

Play to Your Strengths

All buyers are going to be interested in your outside space. In the winter months, viewers often overlook the garden, focusing on the cosy environment inside.

So, when showing your home in August, you must get the garden looking immaculate.

• Mow the lawn
• Remove any dead plants or empty pots
• Repaint the fences where necessary

Finally, a great tip is to set out the garden for entertaining, showing just how viewers could use the space. For example, consider staging a BBQ scene complete with a dressed table to show your viewers how great the outside entertaining area is.

Want more tips and advice? We love being able to help! Wilson & Co Homes are your local property experts for the Peterborough area. Call us on 01733 893520 or email [email protected] to find out how we can help you.