Staging a Sale

Summer Selling

By Jenny Fredette

Summer is the most popular time of year for relocating. This season, marked by sunshine and swimming pools, will have many people seeing packing boxes and moving trucks as well. If you and your family are moving - whether across town or across country - getting your home ready for sale requires the same level of preparation.

Ann Jagger and Karen Jensen, founders of Homes in Motion based in Raleigh, N.C., help Triangle area homeowners enhance their homes to get the best selling price www.homesinmotion.org. By looking at maintenance needs, lightening and brightening, organizing and de-cluttering, and the final step of staging, Jagger and Jensen provide customized home evaluations and project management.

According to these professionals, the first step of home preparation is to make the large-scale repairs that ensure your home is safe, sturdy, and attractive. Once its time to focus on appearance and ambiance, they advise homeowners to take advantage of anything special to the season. For summer, that includes small touches such as using fresh flowers and making the most of the extra daylight.

From their experience in preparing homes for sale, Jagger and Jensen offer the following tips:

Summer is the season for green vegetation and colorful flowers. By taking advantage of the wide variety of plants available, you can dramatically enhance your home's curb appeal. These small enhancements make a great first impression on potential buyers and inspire them to come inside and learn more.

Also consider accenting your windows with flowers arranged neatly in beautiful window boxes.

Even more basic than the flowers you choose is the condition of your lawn. Deep-water grass twice each week to keep your lawn looking good. (This works well with the water restrictions during drought periods in our area.)

The temperature in the house must be comfortable for buyers. Adjust the air conditioning to between 72-74 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the evenings are cool enough, open windows to air out the house. This fresh air is especially helpful in removing cooking odors.

Since the days are longer during the summer, use lighter window treatments to let all that natural light into the house. Also, clean the windows both inside and out to let more light in and brighten the room. This gives the buyer a positive feeling.

Another benefit of summer is the wide availability of colorful fruit and vegetables. These foods make great kitchen display items. You can also fill a vase with fresh-cut flowers.

Store winter clothing out of sight, making it easier to achieve closets that are only 50 percent filled. Potential buyers will feel that the closet space in your home is more than sufficient.

Deck, patio, and lawn furniture are in abundance in the summer months. However, it is better to minimize outdoor furniture when showing a home. This means many items need to be stored before showings and brought out later for your family�s use. This is a challenge for the summer seller.

Clean and de-clutter. Clear away your knick-knacks so countertops and tables are open. This helps the buyer focus on the home itself rather than your possessions. Make sure that entryways are especially clean and open, as well as kitchens and bathrooms.

Smart preparation and attention to detail will make your home look clean, bright, and inviting. This helps buyers envision themselves living in the home. By investing in the right enhancements, you will receive better offers and sell your home more quickly. The only thing left to do will be some house-hunting of your own as your family transitions to its next home.

Ann Jagger and Karen Jensen, founders of Homes in Motion based in Raleigh, N.C., help Triangle area homeowners enhance their homes to get the best selling price. By looking at maintenance needs, lightening and brightening, organizing and de-cluttering, and the final step of staging, Jagger and Jensen provide customized home evaluations and project management.

According to these professionals, the first step of home preparation is to make the large-scale repairs that ensure your home is safe, sturdy, and attractive. Once its time to focus on appearance and ambiance, they advise homeowners to take advantage of anything special to the season. For summer, that includes small touches such as using fresh flowers and making the most of the extra daylight.

Summer is the season for green vegetation and colorful flowers. By taking advantage of the wide variety of plants available, you can dramatically enhance your home's curb appeal. These small enhancements make a great first impression on potential buyers and inspire them to come inside and learn more.

Also consider accenting your windows with flowers arranged neatly in beautiful window boxes. Even more basic than the flowers you choose is the condition of your lawn. Deep-water grass twice each week to keep your lawn looking good. (This works well with the water restrictions during drought periods in our area.)

The temperature in the house must be comfortable for buyers. Adjust the air conditioning to between 72-74 degrees Fahrenheit.

If the evenings are cool enough, open windows to air out the house. This fresh air is especially helpful in removing cooking odors.

Since the days are longer during the summer, use lighter window treatments to let all that natural light into the house. Also, clean the windows both inside and out to let more light in and brighten the room. This gives the buyer a positive feeling.

Another benefit of summer is the wide availability of colorful fruit and vegetables. These foods make great kitchen display items. You can also fill a vase with fresh-cut flowers.

Store winter clothing out of sight, making it easier to achieve closets that are only 50 percent filled. Potential buyers will feel that the closet space in your home is more than sufficient.

Deck, patio, and lawn furniture are in abundance in the summer months. However, it is better to minimize outdoor furniture when showing a home. This means many items need to be stored before showings and brought out later for your family's use. This is a challenge for the summer seller. Clean and de-clutter. Clear away your knick-knacks so countertops and tables are open. This helps the buyer focus on the home itself rather than your possessions. Make sure that entryways are especially clean and open, as well as kitchens and bathrooms.

Smart preparation and attention to detail will make your home look clean, bright, and inviting. This helps buyers envision themselves living in the home. By investing in the right enhancements, you will receive better offers and sell your home more quickly. The only thing left to do will be some house-hunting of your own as your family transitions to its next home.

Jenny Fredette is a freelance writer