How to Sell a Vacant Home

Ideally, many of us would like to have our current home sold before we actually move into a new one, but life doesn’t always work out the way we plan. Therefore, it’s important to understand how to keep your home looking attractive if you have to move before it’s sold.

SENSORY ISSUES

Yes, buyers want your home to look as perfect as possible. While not everyone expects a complete turn-key property, a lot of house hunters will still have a hard time overlooking the normal flaws that occur when all of your furniture is moved out—i.e. marks on the carpet from heavy items, notches on the wall from pictures, etc.

Additionally, homes that remain vacant for an extended period of time often adopt a stale smell from a lack of air flow. In general, most man-made structures begin to show signs of deterioration when human interaction is removed. If the windows and doors are rarely opened, air within the home becomes stagnant, which encourages odors that may make it difficult to sell.

To help encourage buyer interest, it’s wise to start by scheduling a consultation with an experienced Realtor who can help you make decisions that are cost-effective and smart. From there, making a point to hire a professional cleaning crew to shampoo your carpet and get those oft-neglected nooks and crannies is a smart investment. Additional considerations should include repainting any walls or rooms that need more than just a simple touch-up and making minor repairs to things such as loose hardware, shaky stair railings, and squeaky door hinges.

In regards to furniture, if you can afford it, hiring a staging company can be a smart move since the home will most likely sell faster and for a higher price. It’s also important to remember that in day’s market, the majority of potential home owners start their search online; thus, empty rooms tend to produce relatively unattractive photos, while also suggesting to buyers that you are desperate to sell—which frequently leads to lower bids.

CONDITION ISSUES

While vacant homes have a few pros, generally revolving around their ease of showing since special arrangements do not need to be made to make sure the house is available for a viewing, there are still larger issues to consider which far surpass simply sights and smells.

As previously mentioned, without human involvement, buildings break down surprisingly fast, which means your vacant property is at the mercy of the elements unless you make a point to perform a bit of continuous structural upkeep.

To protect its integrity, you’ll want to make sure that preventative measures are taken to stop destructive things such as leaks, frozen pipes, and insect infestation. If the house is going to be sitting all winter, it’s wise to set the heat to low and if it’s going to be sitting all summer, it’s smart to keep some cool air circulating. To protect against unwanted vermin, utilize the services of an exterminator who can keep your property protected, and in an effort to retain your curb appeal, make sure to have someone tend to your lawn.

While these services can be completed by professionals, other budget-friendly options involve asking a family member or friend, or even the teenager down the street for help. It doesn’t take much for someone to regularly check up on your property or to mow the lawn, so get creative and manage your resources.

CONCLUSION

At the end of the day, conducting upkeep on your vacant home isn’t simply about getting it sold as quickly as possible—it’s about protecting your investment. Homes involve large financial transactions, so making sure it remains structurally and visually sound is important.

If you’re in the process of moving and have yet to sell your home, please feel free to contact me for assistance. I have a great deal of experience selling vacant properties and there are several options that are worth discussing. I’d love to answer any questions or offer advice in any way that I can.

Pam Evans | Hello Pam Evans Real Estate | www.HelloPamEvans.com | 678-778-6551