Since summer is the peak season of the Southern California real estate market, most buyers are hunting for homes during the hottest part of the year. Kids are out of school, summer vacation is in full effect, and the uncertainty of tax season is behind us. We have a few tips for the hardcore home hunters who brave the heat in search of their next perfect place to call home to hopefully make the experience a little cooler and a lot more enjoyable:

1. Schedule Your Viewings When Temperatures Are Lower

During the dog days of summer, the temperature is at its highest early-to-mid-afternoon. Get started on your showings earlier in the day so you can be done by the time the needle hits the high numbers. Speaking of showings, that is our subject in point number 2 . . .

2. Look At Logistics And Plan Ahead

In addition to planning a time to go out, look at the homes you wish to see that day and create a viewing order prior to hitting the road. If your list is long, you may want to consider breaking up your showings to only visit 3-4 a day in order to stay cool and not overwhelm your decision-making process. It is also a good idea to check the cross streets along your route to see if there are spots to grab a refreshing drink or sit in frigid air-conditioning. If you are in areas without convenience or grocery stores, you may want to bring your own drinks. Staying cool is essential on hot days, which brings us to point number 3 . . .

3. Carry A Fan

Bring along a handheld personal fan for those sweltering days. The constant stream of moving air will help cool you down, along with a cold bottle of water, which brings us to tip number 4 . . .

4. Carry An Ice Chest With Drinks

Part of your planning for the day should include stashing a cooler with ice and a few bottles of water. As the day goes on, having extra water on hand can be helpful to quench your thirst and keep your palate wet. If you want to bring along a soft drink or juice to add some variety, that is fine, too, but nothing keeps you hydrated like water. Water doesn’t always make for the best party, but that brings us to our final tip . . .

5. Have FUN!

This time should be exciting for you and your family. You are one step closer to finding the next place to set down roots and call home. Keep an open mind while sticking to your needs when looking at properties, but enjoy the ride along the way! Use this time to create lasting memories while experiencing the beautiful scenery and lifestyle that Southern California has to offer.