It’s summertime once again. Many of us look forward to this time of the year because it means abundant sunlight, longer days and warmer weather. Families look forward to spending time outside or going on extended vacations and road trips, taking advantage of the great weather and enjoying activities that cannot otherwise be done during winter or when it gets colder outside.
If you are in the middle of selling your Kelowna home and preparing for house showings during the summer, there are quite a few advantages in your favor. The natural sunlight makes for excellent lighting both inside and outside your property. If used properly, this can give your home added appeal and make it look more inviting to potential buyers. The longer daylight hours also mean that clients who visit even during the late afternoon or early evening will be treated to a great view of the exterior of your home, particularly the lawn and backyard, and any home staging efforts you have done to spruce up landscaping and curb appeal will be highly visible.
Maintaining your front lawn and backyard during the summer is always an essential part of home staging, but it is even more of a priority during the summer. The warmer weather and increased sunlight mean more maintenance for your lawn and backyard, especially because you want to keep it as attractive and appealing as possible for when visitors drop by and tour the property. Here are some reminders for yard maintenance during the summer:
- Make sure plants are watered regularly. Keep plants and grass looking fresh and healthy through regular watering. Usually, morning is the most efficient time to water grass, as there is less evaporation and wind. Most lawns would need about 1 inch of water weekly. If you see signs of dehydration or wilting in grass and plants, such as curling grass blades, lingering footprints in the lawn, or a shade of blue-green in the plants and grass, that means they are not getting the right amount of water.
- Watch out for pests, weeds, and diseases. Pests and weeds are usually more active during the summer, so extra vigilance is important to keep them from destroying your property. Some signs of pests or diseases include irregular color or patches of brown, or textural damage. If you suspect diseases or pests, contact pest control or lawn specialists for various solutions. (Tip: Ask about solutions for bugs and other insects as well, so they don’t bother potential buyers who visit your home.)
- Keep the grass trimmed. Untrimmed grass is very unsightly, and makes people assume that the entire property is not being maintained properly. Grass must be trimmed properly especially around driveways, sidewalks, and garden areas. This also keeps termites away.