Philadelphia Sellers: Take These Hot Tips to Sell Before Labor Day

Historically, summer has always been a good time to sell your home. This is especially true if you are aiming for buyers that have kids, since wanting to move in between school years is a definite thing. But summer selling has its own challenges. Lots of people are vacationing elsewhere or are simply too busy to stop by an open house on Sunday… they are probably out at the local pool, working on their tans. With a little creativity, however, selling your Philadelphia home before Labor Day can be a snap!

First of all, ditch the idea of weekend open houses. Like I already said, people are too busy getting their family time in and their fun on to drive over to your house. One idea from Realtor.com is to embrace the idea of a “rush hour” open house on a weekday from 4-6 pm, for example. This is a time that’s a lot more convenient for folks who might be spending long weekends away instead of home-shopping.

Another idea is to ditch the idea of a staid open house with quiet walkthroughs and a tray of stale cookies altogether. Why not throw a party instead? To wit:

“In other words, put together a gathering that feels more like a celebration than a sales pitch. Try serving up refreshments outside like lemonade and iced tea on trays, or fire up the grill to serve summer-themed appetizers or sliders.

Timing can make a difference here, too: Rather than holding your soirée in the middle of the day, wait until the evening when the temperature’s bearable and people are ready to venture out and kick back at a house party.”

While people are visiting your home in the summer, think of what’s most likely to play to their interests at this time of year. Got a great back yard that kids would love to play in? Make sure the grass is freshly-mowed and do some light landscaping to show off your outdoor appeal. Do you have a clear, beautiful swimming pool? Make sure that your deck furniture looks extra inviting with cushions, potted plants, and maybe some sparkling lights.

Summertime selling is a matter of thinking outside the box. To make a sale before Labor Day, have some fun and make your home fun for your would-be buyers as well.