By Rachel Valencia
Parkersburg Area Association of REALTORS®
Selling your house in the late summer can be a strategic advantage, especially with motivated buyers, longer daylight hours, and families eager to finalize their move before school begins. Here are seven actionable steps to ensure your late season listing shines:
1. Keep the Temperature Comfortable.
First and foremost, this is highly recommended for all seasons. Ensure that your house feels refreshing the moment the buyers step inside. During the summer, the US Department of Energy suggests for West Virginians to keep the AC set between 74-78 degrees Fahrenheit during the day while someone is at the home. Keep the air conditioning running during showings to offer a cool escape from the summer heat. The comfortable environment will allows for a more inviting space, allowing the buyer to give your house a chance to show off its potential to be their next home.
2. Maximize Natural Light
Take advantage of the extended daylight hours by opening curtains and blinds to let in as much sunlight as possible. Well-lit rooms feel brighter, more spacious, and cheerful—which can be a major selling point in late summer.
3. Highlight Outdoor Living Spaces
Stage patios, decks, and yards to showcase them as relaxing summer retreats. Set outdoor tables, place cushions on outdoor furniture, and use potted flowers or string lights to create an inviting setting for evening showings. Buyers love being able to picture themselves enjoying the remaining warm evenings relaxing at home. Did you know homeownership and dog ownership are closely linked, with over half of West Virginia’s homeowners having at least one dog?! It’s true according to organizations like American Veterinary Medical Association, World Population Review, and Insuranceopedia. There’s no better time than now to show off those luscious lawns to potential homeowners with dogs. Spotlight your lawn!
4. Deep Clean and Declutter
A clean, clutter-free home allows potential buyers to envision their furniture and personal items occupying the space. Depersonalization is not only for a buyers’ benefit but for a sellers’ too. For a variety of reasons—mainly safety—it is important to remove family photos, heirlooms, etc. to neutralize the space. Remember, the pictures of the property will be all over the internet to maximize the exposure to potential buyers. It’s also best practice to remove and/or secure all jewelry, medication, weapons, and anything you own that is of value. At this time, what is not used on a daily basis should be packed away. After all, the buyer needs to feel as if they can make the space their own.
5. Focus on Curb Appeal
Late summer lawns can brown, so keep grass trimmed and watered. Freshen up flower beds, power-wash walkways, and touch up paint as needed. A tidy, welcoming exterior makes a memorable first impression. In most Multiple Listing Services, the first picture must be from street view; that’s your opportunity to lure buyers in with the very first photo. Stand out with a clean or freshly painted front door, update or polish hardware, and add a seasonal touch such as bright indigenous flowers near the entry. For safety measures, it’s best to keep the entrance free of debris and any potential obstacles that could be a tripping hazard.
6. Offer Flexible Showings and Quick Closings
Many buyers at this time are motivated by relocation deadlines or the start of the school year. Consider offering flexible showing times and being open to a quick closing, which can give your listing an edge for buyers with tight timelines.
7. Set a Smart, Market-Driven Price
Prices remain strong in late summer, but slight market softening can occur as inventory shifts. Review the latest comparable sales and be responsive to feedback. Pricing realistically from the start keeps your property competitive, especially with fewer but more motivated buyers in the market.
End-of- summer sellers in West Virginia often benefit from less competition and buyers ready to make quick decisions. By following theses steps, you’ll set your listing up for success-even as the season winds down.
Late-summer hours and natural light boost appeal; maximizing these features can speed up sales. Market trends show strong prices continue through August, but competitive pricing is key as activity begins to taper.
Flexible closing and well-staged outdoor spaces are repeatedly cited as top tips by local REALTORS® and buyers as summer draws to an end.
