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7 Ways to Prepare Your House to Sell in the Summer

Ryan FitzgeraldRyan Fitzgerald
Apr 5, 2024 11 min read
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7 Ways to Prepare Your House to Sell in the Summer
Chapters
01
Address Necessary Repairs and Deferred Maintenance
02
Depersonalize and Declutter Your Home
03
Prepare the Exterior of the Home
04
Highlight the Outdoor Living Space
05
Keep the Interior of your Home Cool
06
Stage and Choose Decor to Reflect the Summer Season
07
Hire a Top Real Estate Professional

Ways to Prepare Your House to Sell in the Summer

How do I get my house ready to sell in the summer? Here are seven easy ways to prepare your house to sell in the summer.

1. Address Necessary Repairs and Deferred Maintenance

Homeownership often presents many minor issues that can easily be put on the back burner. If you're considering selling your home this summer, you can start by tackling some of the repairs you've been waiting on. 

Most homebuyers are looking for a well-maintained and cared-for home. When listing your home for sale, you should list simple repairs. Landlords selling a rental property should conduct a pre-listing home inspection and make necessary repairs and updates. 

Repairs could include patching any holes in the walls and applying a fresh coat of paint on the walls and trim, fixing any broken windows or doors, ensuring all electrical outlets are working correctly, replacing any bulbs that are burnt out, tightening any loose toilets or plumbing fixtures, replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, replacing your air filters and getting your HVAC system cleaned and serviced by your local HVAC company. 

Whichever items you have determined need attention, it is always best to make a checklist and work through them. For many sellers preparing to sell during the hot summer months, you will want to be sure that your home is fully operational and that all major systems are working correctly, leaving your future buyers much less hesitant when contemplating an offer.

Home inspections are common for buyers to opt into. So, before you even consider selling your home this summer, we highly recommend that you make a list of all of those repairs; when inspection reports come in, you will appreciate the shorter list of potential repairs that could show up on that report and so will your future buyers.

2. Depersonalize and Declutter Your Home

We all love the things that make our house a home, but when listing your home, remember you are trying to show off the house rather than your style. This is not a time to showcase family photos and memorabilia. It's best to take this time to start carefully removing any items that could show your potential buyers anything too personal. Pack away any family photos and store them for your next home.

Next up is reduction. You will want to reduce the number of items in your house. Keep your closets neat and organized, and leave about 50% of the space empty. You want to give your buyers the illusion that there is more than enough space for their things. Start a donation pile and remove the items you know won't be coming to your new home.

Photo of Living Room with Beige Couch, Sheer White Curtains and muted decor

Only keep out decor items that blend into the space. You will want items that accentuate the space and show purpose. For example, you may put a few wine glasses out in the wet bar or place a fresh set of white towels on the towel rack. 

Throw it out, donate, or store your items when in doubt. Once the decluttering is complete, consider adding indoor plants throughout the home during these summer months. This is the perfect time to show off the natural sunlight feeding some fresh plants in your home, and this will also have a dual purpose and add to your staging decor as you prepare to sell your home this summer.

3. Prepare the Exterior of the Home

The outdoor space is one of the most important places to focus on during summer when preparing to sell your home. Summertime is when we want to utilize our outdoor space the most, which means buyers will pay attention to the home's exterior. 

Starting with repairs and working your way through basic landscaping will prove to make a world of difference. A lot of the spring cleanup will serve well when listing your home for sale during the summer months. So, as you work through the summer months, start making any necessary repairs.

Photo of Man on Ladder In Blue Shirt Cleaning Leaves out of Gutter of House

You may need to replace some siding or even spend some time power-washing the back deck. It could be an excellent time to repair any wood rot. Clean your gutters! Powerwash the driveway and patio. Spend time removing dead plants and replacing them with something hearty that survives well in the summer heat. 

4. Highlight the Outdoor Living Space

Once you've completed exterior cleanup and repairs, you can focus on making your home's outdoor space a highlight. In the summer, your outdoor space could be as crucial to a buyer as the indoor space. The unique timing of a summer market is that this is the one time of year when people use their outdoor space as an alternate living space. 

Some easy ways to spruce up your outdoor space could be adding fresh mulch to your flower beds. Go to your local nursery, ask which plants do best in the summer months in shaded areas and areas with full sun, and start planting. Remember, you want this space to look fresh and healthy, and plants are a quick and easy way to bring the space to life. 

If you have seating in your outdoor living space, try swapping out your outdoor cushions and pillows with something summery, with fun summer colors and prints. You could even grab an excellent outdoor rug to coordinate with your new pillows to pull the space together. This will give your buyers the illusion that this is a usable space and a space they already feel drawn to as a cozy gathering space during the summer season.

5. Keep the Interior of your Home Cool

The air temperature is part of a comfortable home in the hot summer. We don't recommend having your air conditioning set to arctic temperatures, but we recommend some easy tricks to keep it comfortable and cool while your home is active on the market.

This will be when buyers come in for showings, or you might even have some open houses scheduled with your real estate agent. What can you do to help battle the high temperatures that summer days will inevitably bring? Use these helpful tips to ensure your home feels relaxed and comfortable when potential buyers come in to tour your home.

Please keep the blinds and window coverings closed until right before showings begin. Blocking the sunlight from coming in through the windows will help from that hot summer sun to allow the temperatures to rise. 

Keep overhead lights off. It may seem silly, but many of our light fixtures give off heat, so reduce your electric bill by keeping as many lights off as possible. 

Photo of man in beige shirt adjusting thermostat

Keep a consistent and comfortable temperature on your thermostat. We recommend setting and holding a consistent temperature between 68 and 72 degrees inside during the summer months. If you take all of the previous steps mentioned above, maintaining a consistent temperature will be much easier.

Remember that listing your home for sale during the summer also means that when your potential buyers view it, you want them to be comfortable and stay a while. We want them to be able to envision themselves in the space. Nothing is worse than being in a stuffy and too hot home or too cold and uncomfortable. As the seller, you could run the risk that they will walk in and be too uncomfortable and choose not to tour your home. Or even worse, they will suspect there is a problem with your HVAC system and decide not to offer on your house which they otherwise would have offered on.

Be sure to allow yourself enough time to open all the blinds and window coverings right before you head out of your house and let in as much natural light as possible. Turn on lights only in the darker parts of the home, and make sure your temperature is set between 68 and 72.

6. Stage and Choose Decor to Reflect the Summer Season

When you think of summer, think of ways you can brighten your space to match the carefree mood and keep it clean. Coastal muted tones are highly recommended when staging your home. These colors may include pale hues of blues, greens, and soft whites. They will show well in photos paired with soothing paint colors on your walls.

A clean, bright, and fresh space will evoke an emotion from your potential buyers similar to how you feel when you're on vacation. If home decor is not your strong suit, hire a professional staging company to help guide your choices. Many times, staging companies will charge a small fee and may even bring some of their inventory of home decor that will fit nicely into what you already have.

Whether you hire a professional or go it alone, adding some new items to your space will often give it the breath of fresh air it may have been missing all along. 

Summer indoor plants, even artificial plants, will always brighten a space and add a natural element to your space. Plants will add pops of color in ways that traditional home decor cannot accomplish. 

Photo of green indoor house plant getting watered

Swap out your throw pillows and replace them with something that accents the cheerfulness of summer. Adding a seasonal kitchen dish towel to the kitchen space or a bowl of fresh lemons on the kitchen island will bring the space together and create cohesiveness, bringing the feel of summer into your space without trying very hard. 

Go through each room and space of your home, decide which areas will need a splash of summer, and start highlighting those spaces.

7. Hire a Top Real Estate Professional

This may be the most important bullet point on our list. When you're thinking about selling your home this summer, it is imperative to understand the importance of hiring a listing agent to market your home. While marketing your home is one of the things that your listing agent will do for you, there are so many other valuable reasons why you should always hire a listing agent to sell your home.

For-sale-by-owner is an option, but just because it's an option doesn't necessarily mean it's a good option. According to the NAR—National Association of Realtors—7% of home sales in 2023 were FSBO sales. The typical FSBO sold for $310,000 compared to $405,000 for agent-assisted home sales.

During the home-selling process of an FSBO, 43% of buyers reported distrusting the seller for not having an agent. In turn, 40% of FSBO sellers reported needing help understanding contract language, and 36% reported making legal mistakes because they didn't hire an agent. 

What are the consequences of not hiring an agent? Some consequences could hurt you financially as the seller. You could end up with a lower sales price. Statistically, we have already mentioned that the average sales price on a home dramatically decreases when you choose to sell your home without an agent.

Additionally, not having a clear understanding of the process could lead to delays in closing, leaving you, as the seller, responsible for the financial burdens of your home for much longer than you had anticipated.

Most sellers reported that selling their homes independently was much more stressful than they had initially prepared for. 

Your listing agent will quickly prove to be worth every penny, ensuring you top dollar on the sale of your home. Through thoughtful and experienced analysis, your agent will price your home strategically to sell and appeal to the broadest buyers based on the size, location, and square footage your home offers. 

Photo of gray house and key in hands

Also, they will advocate for your best interest and your best interest alone. Professional real estate agents like the agent on our team at Raleigh Realty will provide a bridge between you as the seller and your potential buyer and buyers agent.

Once you select your agent, they will negotiate for you to allow a seamless transaction. Your agent works around the contracts, is familiar with all the legal documents involved, and will help walk you through what it all means. They will work with the closing attorney to ensure all accounting has been done correctly and handled with care. 

Methodology

We used data and information from the following sources to determine the best ways to prepare your home to sell in the summer.

National Association of Realtors

HGTV

Business Insider

FAQs

Is it better to sell in June or July?

Both months are optimal months to sell your home; however, June is the best month to sell your home nationwide.

How do I get my house ready for summer? 

Clean and pressure wash your walkways and driveway, spruce up the flower beds, powerwash your siding, and clean the gutters.

How should I prepare my house for sale? 

Start by decluttering and packing away anything that you aren't using. Make any necessary repairs and repaint any areas that need a fresh coat of paint.

How can I make my house more appealing when selling? 

Keep your space neutral. Remove any personal items or memorabilia and choose neutral paint colors and furnishings.

Final Thoughts - Ways to Prepare Your House to Sell in the Summer

Selling your home during the summer months may be one of the best times to market it to get the most equity. The summer season allows the opportunity to highlight both the interior and exterior spaces and maximize your potential profit.

Please contact our agents here at Raleigh Realty to schedule a consultation as you prepare your home for sale. We are happy to help in any way we can.

WRITTEN BY
Ryan Fitzgerald
Ryan Fitzgerald
Realtor

Ryan Fitzgerald is a top Realtor®, founder and owner of Raleigh Realty, one of the Triangle’s fastest-growing and most innovative real estate brokerages. Driven by a mission to be the best—not the biggest—brokerage in Raleigh, Ryan has built Raleigh Realty into a firm known for its cutting-edge marketing, high-performing agents, and culture rooted in collaboration, growth, and excellence.

Raleigh Realty

Under Ryan’s leadership, Raleigh Realty has become a top boutique brokerage in Raleigh-Durham, serving clients across Wake County and the surrounding areas. Raleigh Realty stands apart for its:

  • Top-Tier Agents – Every Realtor on the team is hand-selected for their skill, professionalism, and client-first approach. Raleigh Realty isn’t about quantity—it’s about quality.

  • Award-Winning Website – RaleighRealty.com is consistently ranked among the best real estate websites with incredible user experience, cutting-edge IDX technology, and hyper-local guides that help buyers and sellers navigate the market.

  • Inbound Lead Generation – With a strong focus on SEO and digital marketing, the brokerage generates a steady flow of organic leads, giving agents the opportunity to grow thriving businesses.

  • Supportive Culture – Ryan emphasizes mentorship, accountability, and autonomy—no micromanaging, just the right systems and tools for agents to succeed.

  • Community Focus – From neighborhood spotlights to relocation guides, Raleigh Realty is committed to being a resource for both buyers and sellers as they make one of life’s biggest decisions.

The firm continues to expand its reach, with the goal of 100 agents and $1 billion in annual sales volume by 2030—all while staying true to its boutique, client-centered values.

Awards & Recognition

Ryan already has notable public credentials and prestige:

  • He has been featured in outlets such as Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, among others (as mentioned on the site).

  • Realtor Magazine named him a “Top 30 Under 30” in the country (as noted on his Raleigh Realty page).

  • Raleigh Realty is widely acknowledged in the local real estate community for its digital prowess and thought leadership.

  • The company is consistently ranked among the top real estate firms in Raleigh and is known for having one of the highest-traffic real estate websites in the region.

Community Involvement & Giving Back

Ryan’s leadership extends far beyond the closing table. He has built Raleigh Realty to be a company that actively gives back to the community and invests in making Raleigh a better place to live.

  • The Green Chair Project – Ryan and Raleigh Realty proudly support The Green Chair Project, a local nonprofit that provides essential furnishings and household items to families transitioning out of homelessness, crisis, or disaster. By partnering with this organization, Ryan helps ensure families have the comfort and dignity of a furnished home.

  • Food Donations & Drives – Raleigh Realty regularly organizes and contributes to food donation efforts, partnering with local pantries and organizations to help fight food insecurity across Wake County. These efforts bring agents, clients, and neighbors together to support those in need.

  • Local Events & Client Appreciation – Raleigh Realty hosts family-friendly gatherings such as pumpkin patch outings, coffee + donut socials, and seasonal celebrations designed to strengthen neighborhood bonds.

  • Supporting Schools & Youth Programs – Ryan partners with local schools and youth organizations to provide resources, sponsorships, and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that the next generation has access to growth and guidance.

  • Small Business Advocacy – Raleigh Realty proudly highlights and partners with local small businesses, amplifying their visibility and reinforcing Raleigh’s reputation as a vibrant place to live and work.

For Ryan, success is measured not just in sales, but in the lasting relationships and community impact Raleigh Realty leaves behind.

AgentLoft – Powering the Next Generation of Realtors

Ryan is also the visionary behind AgentLoft, a SaaS platform designed to help Realtors nationwide build their brand and generate leads. AgentLoft websites combine IDX technology, SEO expertise, and AI integration to give agents the competitive edge they need.

Personal Mission

As a proud father to his daughter Emma, Ryan’s mission is bigger than business. He’s dedicated to building a brokerage and a platform that create opportunity and stability for families, clients, and agents alike. His approach blends entrepreneurship with empathy—ensuring that Raleigh Realty continues to grow not just in sales volume, but in reputation, trust, and impact.


👉 Whether you’re buying or selling a home, or you’re a Realtor looking for the right brokerage to grow your business, Raleigh Realty—under Ryan Fitzgerald’s leadership—offers the expertise, technology, and community-minded culture to help you succeed.

Chapters
01
Address Necessary Repairs and Deferred Maintenance
02
Depersonalize and Declutter Your Home
03
Prepare the Exterior of the Home
04
Highlight the Outdoor Living Space
05
Keep the Interior of your Home Cool
06
Stage and Choose Decor to Reflect the Summer Season
07
Hire a Top Real Estate Professional
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