Hope you had a great Memorial Day! 🌞 The grills are firing up, and so is the real estate market. Summer 2025 is officially here, and these coming weeks are prime time for real estate. Historically, the four-month stretch of May through August accounts for about 40% of the year’s home sales – with June typically the peak month for closings, according to NAR.
Buyers are out in droves, and sellers who waited for the school year to end are finally ready to list. It’s a recipe for a bustling market. So, how can you, as an agent, stand out and help your clients succeed during this super-charged season?
🌴 Understand the Summer Mindset
This summer’s market is a bit different than the frenzied free-for-all of a couple years ago. While demand is high, today’s buyers are more selective – higher interest rates and more inventory mean they can afford to be choosy. Deals might not happen overnight, but they’re happening.
The key is positioning your clients to win by leveraging what makes summer special. Longer days, community events, and the natural moving season give you unique opportunities to connect with clients and close deals in creative ways.
Ready to make this summer your best yet? 😎 Let's explore how.
🌞 Showcase the Summer Lifestyle
Don’t just sell a property – sell the summer dream. Buyers touring in June or July are imagining living their best life in that home this season. So, stage with summer in mind:
- Set the patio table with bright, fun dishware
- Put a pitcher of iced lemonade out
- Highlight outdoor features
Got a great backyard or a pool? Make sure it’s sparkling clean and front-and-center in your marketing. Little touches like blooming flower pots by the door or a cozy hammock in the yard can help buyers emotionally connect.
Besides, you’re not just selling four walls; you’re selling the idea of BBQs, relaxing evenings on the porch, and kids catching fireflies out back. Help them see it!
🕑 Time Your Tactics
In summer, timing can be everything. With so many people on the move, consider listing a home mid-week and holding open houses on early weekends to catch families right after school lets out for break. Also, be mindful of holidays – July 4th week might slow down, but the weekends before and after often see a flurry of activity.
Encourage your sellers to be buyer-friendly with showing times; long daylight hours mean you might even try an evening “twilight” open house for a change, taking advantage of cooler temps and gorgeous sunsets.
And on the buyer side, remind clients to act fast on homes they love (even if they’re heading on vacation). A lot of relocations and decisions happen right now, so a few days’ delay could mean a missed opportunity.
📊 Price & Negotiations
Even in summer, an overpriced listing can flop – especially with today’s buyers watching their budgets. Help your sellers stay realistic by showing them the latest comps and highlighting that more inventory means more competition. The goal is to price right from day one to attract maximum interest.
The good news is that well-priced homes are still moving quickly, and some even spark bidding wars if they check all the boxes. For buyers, there’s room to negotiate again in many markets. Maybe it’s asking for that repair after inspection or a closing cost credit to offset high rates.
A balanced summer market means give-and-take is back, and skilled agents who craft win-win deals will shine. Sharpen those negotiation skills and guide your clients to reasonable compromises that leave everyone smiling at the closing table.
🏖️ Stay Responsive (and Take Breaks!)
In last week's article, we talked about burnout and the importance of taking breaks. Yes, it’s peak season, but it’s also vacation season. Many clients (and agents!) will be in and out of town.
Set expectations early: let your clients know your availability and have a coverage plan if you take a summer getaway. (Maybe partner with a trusted colleague to handle each other’s leads when one is OOO.)
On the flip side, if your buyers are traveling, offer to do virtual showings so they don’t miss out on a hot new listing. Embrace tech tools – a quick FaceTime tour or e-signing documents on the go can keep deals moving no matter where everyone is. The key is to be extra communicative. A relaxed, vacationing client will appreciate an agent who is on top of things.
And if you can swing it, give yourself a little break when you can! Even a beach day or afternoon off will recharge you for the next big sale.
Summer real estate is equal parts exciting and challenging. By showcasing the season’s best side, timing things smartly, pricing right, and staying on top of communication, you’ll help your clients beat the heat with ease.
Here’s to lots of sun, fun, and many “sold” signs in the weeks ahead. Happy summer selling!