There are many things you need to do to help your vacant home show better. Number one: Keep it clean. You may have cleaned it when you moved out, but even empty houses get dirty. Many times there are cobwebs or dead bugs on the floor. And somehow, dust still accumulates.

Another important detail is the smell of the home. I showed a home today that has been on the market for about two months but the disclosure says it has been vacant for three years. The buyers thought the home smelled like it had a mold problem. However, I think the odor is from being closed up for a very long time. Leaving the windows open for a day during nice weather and hiring someone to clean would improve the chance of this house selling tremendously.

Also, maintaining the outside means more than just mowing the yard. I’ve shown houses in the spring or summer time where you have to wade in leaves up to your knees to get to the front door. This is not the definition of curb appeal!

Remember, anything the buyer sees at a home that needs to be done is a strike against the house. It will make them decide against making an offer or it will influence them to make a lower offer. With the huge amount of inventory out there, you have to do all you can to compete with other homes available for sale.

Tammie Turner, Tri-Lakes Realtors                     Visit My Web Site