Summer is a great season to put your home on the market. Lots of buyers wait until summer to look for a home so they can move before the school year starts. Plus, during the summer, buyers can see a home's landscaping and outdoor living areas at their very best before making an offer.

If you're selling this summer, you'll want to stage your home in a way that shows off its key features and attracts higher offers. Our real estate agents can offer some tips in that regard.

• Power Wash the Exterior
  Spend a weekend power washing your siding, walkways, and other home exterior surfaces. Often you don't realize how dirty these surfaces have become until you power wash them and see the grime sloughing away. 
  
  When power washing siding, always start at the top of the home and work your way down. Be careful to angle the wand downward so you don't drive water under the siding. When power washing concrete, be sure to use a pre-soak. This will loosen the grime so it comes away more easily and completely.
  
  
• Paint Your Front Door
  Your front door is often the focal point of your home. If you paint the front door, your home's facade can take on a whole new look.
  
  You want your front door to coordinate with the rest of your home's exterior. But that does not mean it needs to blend in. Feel free to pick a brighter, more attention-grabbing color. A front door that stands out will make a memorable first impression and may result in more offers when you list your home.
  
  
• Add Some Colorful, Potted Plants
  You may not want to spend a lot of time or money completely overhauling your garden beds before you sell. This is a good alternative. Head to a local garden center and purchase some colorful, potted flowers. Pansies, marigolds, and petunias are all good options.
  
  Spread these potted plants out in your garden beds. Place a couple potted plants on either side of your front stairs or main walkway. They'll draw the eye in and add a pop of color.
  
  
• Deep Clean Your Home
  The downside to warm summer weather is the fact that it can make odors more noticeable. So, before you sell a home in the summer, it is vital to give it a good, thorough cleaning. 
  
  Focus on areas where grime and gunk tend to accumulate. Pull out the fridge, and wipe down the floor behind it. Shampoo your carpets. Give your bathroom floor and closets a good wipe-down with antibacterial cleaner, too. If you're busy, this is a good time to hire a professional cleaning service and let them work their magic.
  
  
• Display Some Fresh Flowers
  Fresh flowers make a home feel welcoming. They are also fairly neutral; almost every buyer will like them. Pick up some fresh flowers at a local garden center or nursery, and display them on your dining room table or on the kitchen counter.
  
  Make sure you keep an eye on your fresh flowers and change them out often. Flowers that are turning brown or starting to rot won't earn you any bonus points with buyers!
  
  
• Clean Your Window Treatments
  Window treatments are not always easy to clean. But in the summer, when sun is streaming in the windows, you really want them to look their best.
  
  Wipe down blinds or shades with a soft cloth and some all-purpose cleaner. If you have drapes, take them to a local dry cleaner for a professional cleaning. When you put them back in, make sure you tie them back to let lots of natural light stream into the room.
  
  
• Remove Extra Furniture
  Buyers like to be able to imagine themselves in the homes they visit. This is easier to do when the rooms are less cluttered. If you have furniture that looks out of place or is making your home look cluttered, remove that furniture and put it into storage.
  
  The same thing applies to decor. Take down extra clutter on shelves, and stash it away when you list your home.
  
  
• Install White Light Bulbs
  If you have light bulbs with a yellow tone, replace them with white light bulbs. This will make your rooms look brighter and more open, which is especially appealing in the summer.
  
  LED bulbs that give off whiter light also tend to use less electricity. Buyers will be glad to see them in your home for this reason. While you're at it, consider upgrading to smart light switches, which are another feature home buyers will be glad to see.

If you follow the tips above, you'll be off to a great start with your home staging. A nicely staged home can look fresh, summery, and appealing – and that's exactly what buyers want to see. Contact us if you're thinking of selling your home. Our friendly, experienced real estate agents will be happy to help.