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February
24
24
8 Tips for Selling a Vacant Home
Our REALTORS® are skilled at coordinating closings for a smooth transition from one home to another, but sometimes the time frame is out of your control. Maybe you've accepted a job offer or promotion requiring relocation by a specific date, or you need to care for an elderly relative.
Don't despair. With a little extra planning, you can sell a home you've already vacated by incorporating these helpful tips.
- Alert the Neighbors
Vacant homes are beacons for troublemakers. Thieves can slip in, and strip copper plumbing and other materials. Or kids may be tempted to vandalize the place. Let the neighbors know you won't be there so they can keep their eyes open for suspicious activity. - Stage the Home
No matter how well a home is maintained, a lack of furnishings can give it an air of abandonment. The effect is similar to the last item on a store shelf that no one wants. If you can't use any of your furniture, consider renting packages that include the basics for a particular room. Other options include consignment or closeout furniture. It's well worth the investment to hire a professional stager who has experience maximizing attributes and minimizing flaws. - Consider Virtual Staging
If you can't stage the home itself for any reason, consider virtual staging. There are a growing number of services and DIY apps, allowing you to add furnishings to photos of your home in varying degrees of detail. According to real estate marketing organization Properties Online, 95 percent of home buyers turn to the internet at some point in their search, so virtual staging is a great way to capture interest. - Keep Utilities On
When the home's climate is subject to the weather outdoors, buyers will be too uncomfortable to spend much time viewing it. Keeping the temperature at an appropriate level will also prevent pipes from freezing during winter. - Put Lights on a Timer
Constant darkness is another feature that makes a home look abandoned, and it's a dead giveaway to thieves and prowlers. Keep lights on a timer to maintain the appearance of occupancy. - Double-Check Doors and Windows
Two-legged "visitors" aren't the only ones you have to worry about. Raccoons, squirrels, and other wildlife would be delighted to nest in your home, especially if you're not around. Examine the seals around doors and windows to make sure there are no gaps where pests can slip in. Repairing cracks and tears will also keep the HVAC system from having to work too hard, maintaining an appropriate temperature. - Don't Forget Curb Appeal
Vacating a home is no excuse to let exterior upkeep slide. If the paint is shabby or the lawn is overgrown and full of weeds, buyers won't even bother looking at the interior of the house. If you're too far away to handle the maintenance yourself, enlist family and friends or hire a professional service. - Clean the House Regularly
Even though no one is living in the home, buyers passing through will stir up a certain amount of dirt and disarray and odors may develop. Have the home cleaned periodically to keep it looking and smelling fresh.
Whether you're still living in your house or you've already moved out, we have extensive experience with Augusta homes for sale. Ready to get started? Contact us for more information.