Master the Summer Housing Market with These Tips & Tricks

Due to stubbornly high interest rates and frustratingly low inventory, it’s been a tough start to the year for the U.S. housing market. The good news is the traditionally busy summer season is upon us.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 40% of the nation’s home sales take place between May and August. Here are tips to best maximize your business during these busy months.

Summer brings people outdoors, giving your brand more opportunities to connect with potential customers. Here is how you can boost your brand’s local presence.

• Sponsor a youth sports team. Teams are often in need of sponsors to fund expenses like uniforms, equipment, and travel. Sponsoring a local team allows you to give back to your community while providing a great marketing opportunity.
• Sponsor or participate in community events. Summer is filled with local events, whether it’s a Fourth of July parade, a cultural festival, or a music or art gala. Getting involved with such events, either as a sponsor or a volunteer, can strengthen your community connections.
• Connect with an area business. Consider working with other businesses that target your client base. Collaborate on a cross-promotion event or raffle.
• Advertise in your community. Purchase advertising at a pool, beach, water park, or other summer hotspot in your area.
• Team up with a builder. New home builders are busy trying to keep up with increased buyer demand, so joining forces with one may result in multiple listings.
• Show appreciation. To acknowledge your customer and business relationships, take advantage of the warmer weather and hold a block party or barbecue in a local park. Be sure to include activities for young children.

Incorporate summer-related social media and blog posts into your content. Listed here are a few impactful content ideas.

• Travel tips. Provide information for finding the best vacation promotions and discounts or share advice for traveling with families.
• Projects. Popular ideas include planting a vegetable garden, building a fire pit, updating outdoor light fixtures, and painting a front door.
• Maintenance. A checklist of essential end-of-summer maintenance tasks will ensure your customers are ready for the seasonal change.
• Recipes. Whether it’s a tasty barbecue recipe, a colorful salad, or a refreshing cocktail, sharing summer-themed recipes is a great way to promote your brand.
• Books. List the best beach reads, poolside paperbacks, and children’s books.
• Trends. Summer traditionally means higher home prices, increased inventory, and more competitive buyers.

Summer has no shortage of unusual national holidays—from National Selfie Day on June 21 (snap one with a satisfied customer) to National Simplicity Day on July 12 (list local charities that accept donations) to National Relaxation Day on August 15 (provide tips on how to better manage work stress).

When you check in with your customers, remind them of the advantages spring delivers buyers—especially compared to other seasons.

• More inventory. Summer has historically seen a jump in new properties on the market, with the warmer weather motivating sellers to list.
• Easier to move. While buyers may not get a discounted moving rate during this traditionally busy time of year, summertime temperatures are usually just right for moving.
• Ideal timelines for families. Changing schools during the year can be challenging for children. Since a standard transaction generally takes 60 to 90 days to complete, purchasing a home in the early summer means families with children will be settled in time for the start of the school year.
• Extra funds. A buyer fortunate enough to receive a tax refund can use this money for their purchase. The money can be put toward a down payment or cover closing costs. Paying discount points to buy down a mortgage interest rate is another popular option.

If you established goals in the spring, now may be an ideal time to assess and potentially revise them. The changing of the seasons is also perfect for reviewing your marketing calendar and making necessary updates to your timelines, budgets, targeted audiences, and objectives.

One of the biggest keys to productivity is practicing the refueling principle. You accomplish more and have greater success when you recharge your brain and body. Before the summer housing market heats up, take off a day or two. Or if you cannot step away, get a quick boost by turning off your smartphone and laptop and focusing on non-work activities.

For example, hobbies are perfect for taking your mind off factors that cause stress. Listening to soothing music can lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga are also great ways to improve physical and mental wellness. 

Here’s to a successful summer for all of us.