Summer time Selling tips - from Basking Ridge Real Estate

Many people think that next to the winter holidays, the summer is the worst time to sell a home. I have to disagree! Just this weekend - a holiday weekend - I negotiated a contract on a Society Hill townhouse, fielded a call from another agent looking for comp information as she was negotiating a contract, and my partner Gerry and I both showed homes. There is a definite market out there. In fact since June 20th, there have been 14 contract sales in Basking Ridge.

A few years ago, I wrote about selling your home in the summer months - now I have some additional tips for you:

Summertime means barbecues, outdoor fun and lots of sunshine, flowers and greenery. The commonality among all of those rites of summer is that they draw attention to a home's landscaping and outdoor spaces. Homeowners who are selling their home in the summer months should make an effort to highlight their home's usable outdoor space.

In addition, sellers with their home on the market during the summer should keep these considerations in mind:

• "Stage" your backyard so that buyers can envision themselves relaxing and entertaining there. Power wash your deck or patio as well as your outdoor furniture, replace worn-out cushions and make sure to have a few simple outdoor accessories.
• A fully landscaped yard will save buyers time and money. Ensure your front and back yards appear maintained by trimming overgrown trees and shrubs, and making sure your lawn is manicured regularly.
• Inside, keep your home cool for showings and Open Houses. Setting the air conditioner to a comfortable level, or using fans and opening windows to let in a cool breeze, will help buyers focus on your home and not how warm they are.
• Guard against heat-related smells by emptying all garbage cans and fully cleaning your home before any showings, focusing specifically on bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens

These tips will help ensure that as potential buyers are considering their options, your home will outshine the competition!

Good Luck and have a safe and happy Fourth of July!