As
the real estate market continues to stabilize, sellers may find that
their property remains on the market significantly longer than the days
of “list today, sold tomorrow.” There is also more competition
for buyers. So, it can be frustrating to put your home on the market,
expecting a fast sale, only to find that after six months you’re
still waiting for an offer. This is especially true if you need to move
quickly and leave your unsold home vacant.
Besides
creating a marketing challenge, a vacant home can also be a target for vandalism.
Here are strategies you can use to hasten a sale and protect your property
during the process.
·
Instead
of producing a spacious appearance, an empty room tends to look smaller than
a furnished room. So, leave behind a few select pieces of furniture and keep
the window treatments in place. A chair or lamp on a small table will confer
a sense of scale and help potential buyers gauge whether their furniture will
fit the space.
·
If
you decide to remove the furniture, have the house cleaned and painted. Furniture,
rugs and decorations tend to hide or minimize imperfections. When furniture
and artwork have been removed, every blemish and bruise becomes accentuated,
faded paint and wallpaper become more noticeable and scratches and nicks stand
out.
·
Repaint
brightly and boldly colored rooms to a neutral tone. What was an eye-popping
room when fully-furnished may appear stark and small when empty.
·
To
thwart unwelcome visits, give the house a lived-in look. Set a couple of lamps
on timers, and ask a neighbor or friend check on the house daily to collect
mail, park a car in the driveway, and close and open drapes and windows. Continue
using a gardening service or hire someone to cut the grass regularly. During
the winter months, arrange to have snow shoveled from the walks and driveway.
·
If
available, consider employing a home manager or house sitter. At little or
no cost to homeowners, the house is furnished and decorated for show-to-sell
condition. Most companies require home managers to mow the lawn, shovel snow,
and even pay pool maintenance and utilities. Having someone living on site
discourages vandalism, protects against deterioration and weather hazards
and may even reduce insurance costs. (Check with your insurance carrier.)
·
Leave
the utilities connected. Depending on the season, make sure the thermostat
in the house is set at a comfortable level. You don't want a potential buyer
to run through the home because it is too hot or cold.
·
Review
your homeowner's insurance policy with your insurance agent to find out what
the stipulations and coverage pertain to your vacant home.
·
Find
a real estate professional with experience selling vacant houses.
Often, these sales professionals specialize in relocation. You want
to make sure that you are comfortable with your lines of communication.
If you will be residing in another town, come up with an agreement
on how often your representative will check on the home and what should
be done if a problem develops.
Although a vacant house presents certain challenges,
it does not need to be difficult to sell.
Prudential
Lifestyle Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential
Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.
