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Buying a home in a heat wave

By
Real Estate Agent with Prestige Properties

Just a quick note to all the agents with listings (hopefully everyone).  Here in the South is has been unseasonably warm.  A quick start to the summer.  What does this have to do with real estate and listings?  If you list a home and the owners no longer live there, it is best they leave the utilities on.  Of course this does not apply to foreclosures.

The amount of energy a home uses while vacant is very minimal if you set the thermostat correctly and turn off the lights.  I showed three homes today and two of the homes had the utilities shut off.  After being closed up for the last couple of days the inside temperature was unbearable.  Guess which property my buyers want to make an offer on?  Yep, the one that had a pleasant inside temperature and they were able to take their time and really look at the house.

You should consider this not just for the comfort of potential buyers but for the home itself.  Just like in winter when you run the risk of freezing pipes in a home with no heat, you can also damage a home that becomes too hot.  I have even seen porcelain sinks and tubs chip from excessive heat.  Wood swells and shrinks with dramatic changes in temperature and paint can crack.  I can assure you the damage done to the house is far worse than a little expense to leave the utilities on.  This doesn't even begin to cover the issues of when the home needs to be inspected.  You eventually have to have them turned on anyway, so make it better on everyone and leave them on.

Comments (4)

Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Todd,  In some areas it is also important to keep the temp set at approx 80 degrees and some ceiling fans on to help control mold.

Jun 25, 2009 08:39 AM
Konnie Mac McCarthy
MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD
Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"

I know it is crazy, how hot it gets in some of these homes, I have to remember to check my listings, to make sure... it is miserable showing hot homes

Jun 25, 2009 08:41 AM
Chanda Barrick
Keller Williams Indy Metro Northeast - Indianapolis, IN
in referral

Todd, that makes perfect sense.  I recall showing a rental like this not too long ago.  The house was so friggan hot all we wanted to do was get out of there!  I can also imagine heat and a closed home can bring out less than desirable smells.  :)

Chanda panda

Jun 25, 2009 10:10 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Todd ~ I hate showing properties in hot weather - luckily it's been cool and rainy here for days.  I'm with you - A/C and lights on will get your property sold.  When you're selling your home you become a "friend of the electric company" as my father calls it.

Liz

Jun 25, 2009 01:21 PM