Do you have hometending in our area? We do and I have 2 of my previously vacant short sale listings being cared for by home tenders.
The property is cared for, the utilities are on and paid for by the home-tenders and the home tending company goes by WEEKLY to check in and make sure the property is cared for and up to standards for showing.
The home tending companies in my area offer a staging service that the home tender pays for. They have even gone so far as having the home tender 'rent' furniture if their own pieces are not up to snuff.
Although it's available to any vacant home - I find it ESPECIALLY good for short sales if my seller has already moved on for whatever reason. It costs the sellers nothing (FREE) - they receive none of the 'occupancy fees' that are paid to the home tending company - but the property is cared for and the sellers tend to feel a bit better about not just leaving the house and walking away. Since the short sales are taking so long - the home tenders tend to stay in the property for quite a few months - so it's normally a great deal for them too - as once the offer is in place - the showings go down considerably.
I find it interesting that so many agents (in my area at least) either don't know about it or are not interested in presenting it to their sellers. I agree that it's not for every seller. But it's a great alternative to suggest. One of my sellers of a short sale was not interested at all when I first suggested it, however after 4 months of up keeping the property - she is pretty happy to not have to pay the utilities or cut the yard anymore - while we continue to await an offer on the property. She is happy the property is being taken care of as she is no longer able to.
I would love to hear feedback as to whether you have this service available to you and if you use it or what you think about it.
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