The warmer weather of summertime entices people to head outdoors. This includes home buyers. Your landscaping is at its peak potential now and outdoor spaces are a hot item with buyers today. That makes summer the perfect time to sell your Northern Virginia, South Carolina, Washington DC or Maryland home. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are trying to sell your home in the summer:

Keep It Cool - It's hard for a potential buyer to think about how wonderful your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home is if they are sticky with sweat. When you know your house is going to be shown (either via appointment or open house), set the air conditioner at a cooling temperature. If you're in an area or home that doesn't have air conditioning, bring in a fan and open up the windows and doorways to keep a nice breeze blowing throughout.

Control the Smells - With warmer weather comes a rise in the smells. Before you ever show your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home, make sure to get the carpets and drapes thoroughly cleaned, especially if you or another member of the household are smokers or own indoor pets. Keep trash outside. Completely clean bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, where smells tend to linger. Having air fresheners and/or scented candles around when buyers are viewing your home will help as well.

Trim the Trees - Many homes have been won and lost to buyers because of curb appeal (or lack thereof). Keep your lawn watered and mowed, get rid of weeds and dead plants and trim the shrubbery and trees. A well kept lawn not only invites buyers in but makes them feel like you have taken pride in ownership, which translates into a better selling price.

Outdoor Living Spaces - Studies show that today's young buyers are interested more in having livable outdoor space, even if it can only be used seasonally. This helps extend the living area of the home, making it feel much larger. Power wash the decks and/or concrete, clean off the outdoor furniture and get rid of dead brush. If it's needed, consider buying new pads or painting the outdoor furniture that seem a little worse for wear. Create an ambiance by setting the outdoor table for a barbecue. Add some candles, hang a few lights and set the stage for any buyer to feel like its home.

Now that the weather has warmed up, highlight the outdoor areas of your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home as much as you do the indoor areas. Selling your home in the summer can be easy by following these tips. Let me know if you need an experienced, knowledgable REALTOR® to help you sell your home as well. I'm always happy to help.

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina, Maryland and Washington DC real estate specialist