Summer Selling: How to make a sizzling house sale (without putting life on hold)
Ah, the great British summer. The vague threat of hosepipe bans, memories of ice cream vans and the occasional week of actual sunshine. But with the children reclaiming every inch of the home and garden, while you’re juggling suncream, school holidays and patching holes in last year’s paddling pool, the question looms… is summer REALLY the right time to sell your home?
Summer is one of the most powerful seasons for selling property and it really is the perfect time to showcase your home at its light-filled, potential-rich best. With gardens in bloom, skies (occasionally) painted blue and hedgerows alive with birdsong, life just feels better in summer.
And the best bit? Buyers are in holiday mode, with more time to browse, book viewings and begin daydreaming about that most prized of possessions…the forever home.
So, without further ado, here’s how to make the most of the season, without putting your life (or your children’s summer plans) on hold.
Who wouldn’t want to live here?
1. Let your garden do the talking
Your garden is your home’s summer superpower. Whether you’ve got a lawn large enough for croquet or a compact terrace with room for a bistro set and a herb pot, now is the time to play to its strengths. Here’s an at-a-glance-guide to get that garden space looking photo and viewing-ready:
Lawns:
Mowing, edging and weeding are the trifecta of instant polish when it comes to lawns. Lawns in the UK should really be mown once a week over summer, but with our unpredictable weather often alternating between waterlogged and arid desert, avoid trimming the grass when it’s too wet (muddy massacre) or when it’s too dry (dustbowl blues).
Top tip - leave the rake in the shed once in a while, as the clippings of dry grass work as mulch, feeding the lawn for a healthy shine.
Planting:
Even the most botanically challenged can bring a little summer colour to their garden or patio.
If you’re prone to forgetting to water, a pot or two of fragrant lavender requires minimal attention and will attract lots of lovely pollinators.
Other cheerful plants that thrive in pots include dahlias and cosmos, while salvia is perfect for a bright, sizzling pop of summer colour (a definite winner with the butterflies and bees).
Give your garden purpose:
A good garden should reveal, at a glance, how it offers an outdoor lifestyle: whether this is a breakfast nook for morning coffee; a BBQ corner for summer soirees; a space for sun loungers or fairy-lit evening drinks.
There’s no need to trawl the middle aisle at Aldi (or the garden section at John Lewis), chances are you’ll have all you need at home or gathering dust in the garage.
Style it like a lifestyle shoot; add outdoor cushions, lanterns, even a jug of elderflower cordial and glasses on the table for photoshoots and viewings.
Even if your garden is more sandpit than suntrap right now, you can still frame it. A colourful parasol over a child’s picnic table, or a hammock between two trees, creates a sense of purpose and retreat.
The air in this kitchen is cool and refreshing
2. Keep cool
Let’s face it, although English summers may be fleeting, they can be surprisingly stifling. A cool, calm home feels instantly inviting. If you’re on the market this summer, there are several simple cooling tips you can employ to keep your home fresh and welcoming for viewers:
Draw curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day.
Pop fans on low before viewings (positioned discreetly).
Place a bowl of chilled water with slices of lemon and mint in the kitchen for a spa-like welcome.
Swap heavy throws and dark cushions for lighter linens and cottons.
Buyers aren't expecting aircon, but they are drawn to spaces that feel fresh and breathable.
In this house the children tidy their rooms and read avidly
3. Create calm from chaos
There’s no sugar coating it: selling a home with children around over the summer holidays can feel like trying to keep a sandcastle standing at high tide. But you don’t have to pack away the paddling pool or cancel your summer plans, you just need a little strategy.
Family-friendly viewing prep:
Create a ‘magic basket’ - a lidded trunk or basket where toys, games and rogue bits of Lego can be thrown in five minutes before a viewing.
Designate zones - kids' corner in the lounge? No problem. Just keep it tidy and intentional, not chaotic.
Use your garden - trampoline? Contrary to popular opinion ‘trampoline’ is not a dirty word, it’s just part of family life when the kids hit a certain age! Just make sure it’s clean, safe and framed as part of the lifestyle.
Time it right - aim for mid-morning or late afternoon viewings when the home is calm and light is soft (and the children are at their grandparents…did somebody say sleepover?)
The aim isn’t to pretend children don’t live here, it’s to show that the home works because they do.
Summer is for outdoor entertaining
4. Channel that summer vibe
Buyers buy on emotion. They’re not just looking for four walls and a roof, they’re imagining the lifestyle. An August viewing is a golden opportunity to sell the feeling of summer: lazy breakfasts, outdoor entertaining, barefoot kids on the lawn, cool rooms that offer a retreat from the heat.
Your secret weapons for this mission are:
Fresh flowers or a jug of garden cuttings on the table
Scented candles or subtle room sprays (think citrus, fig, or sea salt)
Open windows for a summer breeze (unless you’re near a lawnmower or main road!)
Summer selling doesn’t mean pressing pause on family life. It means showcasing your home at its most vibrant, most welcoming and most full of possibility. With a few tweaks, a touch of styling and a whole lot of real-life charm, you can keep the magic of summer alive (and your sanity whole) and still move onto your next chapter.
Ready to make this summer the start of something new?
With a little strategy and a sunny approach, your home can shine its brightest, while real life carries on, lollies, lawn games and all.
