The summer months are usually reserved for vacations, visiting family and soaking up the sunshine, but it’s also a great time to buy a house. While the kids are off of school and the summer sun is beating down, a little creativity can turn home staging obstacles into opportunities. Here are some tips that can help you pack that open house and have offers rolling in this summer.
Think About the Kids
The more you know about the local schools in the neighborhood the better. Parents want to know how highly the school district is rated, the teacher-to-student ratio and the extracurriculars available. These concerns will be even higher on their list during the summer so they can plan for the next school year. Be sure you know when the local schools get out for the summer (many schools are adopting alternative schedules that shorten summer break), any district changes that are happening and how the schools are perceived in the area.
If school is not in session during your open house, have activities to keep the kids busy. If their kids are entertained, parents will feel more free to stay and ask questions about the house. As a bonus, they also will associate the property with peace and quiet.
Set up a small table and chairs in the backyard and designate it the craft station. Avoid paint, glitter or anything that can easily travel into the house and make a mess. Colored pencils are mess-free and provide hours of entertainment. Buy a dozen coloring books, throw on some music with a portable speaker and assure the parents that you have the kids covered.
Create an Oasis
Keep things fun, summery and relaxed with an oasis-like vibe. Don’t forget that while staging a house is exhausting for the real estate agent, it’s just as tiring for the homebuyer. Stage the house to feel like an island vacation to help the buying experience be fun.
Give potential buyers an ice-cold, tropical drink when they walk in the door. Set up shaded seating areas to make the backyard inviting. Invest in a nice, big umbrella or a misting system to keep it cool and comfortable if buyers want to talk about the house outside.
Make sure there’s plenty of flora around the property. Lush landscapes and potted plants give a fresh and relaxing feel. Just do your research before you purchase any plants so you can stay away from ones that are hard to keep alive or ones that make a big mess when the seasons change.
Clear It Out
Most professional home stagers remove 50 percent or more of the owner’s furnishings because it makes the home feel bigger, cleaner and more inviting to buyers. If the homeowner doesn’t want to part with their stuff, encourage them to invest in an air conditioned storage unit until the house sells. Emphasize that the cost is minimal compared to having the house sit on the market and that moving will be easier since half of their furniture and tchotchkes will already be packed up and ready to go.
