Summer is a season when real estate feels like it’s on fast-forward, but even with all the energy, there are a few pitfalls I see over and over. One big one for sellers is assuming that summer buyers will overlook flaws. The truth? They often have more time to compare homes, and they notice things. I always advise clients to handle deferred maintenance before listing… things like leaky faucets, broken screens, or scuffed walls. Small repairs build trust, and avoiding them can lead to lower offers or deals falling apart after inspection.

For buyers, a classic summer hiccup is burnout. The market’s busy, listings come and go quickly, and people can end up touring ten homes in a weekend. Decision fatigue is real. I remind my clients to take breaks and revisit their “must-have” list. Sometimes I’ll even suggest pausing the search for a week if it’s getting overwhelming. My goal is to keep them grounded so they don’t settle for something that won’t work long-term just because they’re tired of looking.

Another challenge in summer is moving logistics. Movers book up fast, rental trucks are scarce, and people underestimate how hard it is to coordinate kids, pets, and belongings in 90-degree heat. When I work with clients, I always bring up planning the move early, even before we’re under contract. Securing movers, checking storage options, and creating a realistic timeline saves a ton of stress when closing day arrives.

And let’s not forget financing hiccups. People go on vacation and forget to send documents, lenders slow down around holidays, and suddenly closings are at risk of delay. I tell buyers: let’s be extra responsive in summer. If you’re traveling, have a plan for signing things remotely. Sellers also need to be aware. If you’re out of town when offers come in, you can lose momentum if you’re hard to reach. Staying available can make or break the deal. Summer is a fantastic time to make a move, but it’s the planning and communication that keep everything on track.