Is Your Home on the Market this Winter? Don't Forget .....

Our cold Michigan winter has begun and if you have your house or condo on the market there are a few things you need to remember.

* Very Important! If your house is vacant, you need to take some precautions so the pipes don't freeze and burst! I've seen this happen before on more than 1 occasion and trust me, it's a mess and if it goes unnoticed it can do some serious damage! You have 2 options to try and prevent this from happening.

1. Leave the heat on! It doesn't have to be blasting, you can set the thermostat for like 55 degrees and that should keep it from freezing. Also, if you're going to keep the thermostat low, open the cabinet doors under all of the sinks so the heat can reach the pipes. This is especially important if a sink is stationed against an outside exterior wall. Also, leaving the heat on will be more comfortable for potential buyers to view your home. If it is freezing in your house during the buyers showing, they will probably rush through the house and over look many things. It could be a big turn off and you could lose a potential buyer! 
2. Have your plumbing winterized! This is where the water is shut off and the pipes are blown out completely so as there is no water or moisture left in them to freeze and cause a breakage! You can have this service done by a property preservation company, a plumber or a good handy man! Just make sure it is done properly by somebody who knows what they are doing. Also, they typically post signs at all of the sinks & toilets stating that the home has been winterized, with the date of the service on it and telling people NOT to try turning on the water or using the toilets! 

Don't forget to keep your driveway, sidewalk and walkways clear of snow and ice so buyers can safely get to the front door! This is important whether the house is vacant or occupied!                                                                           

If you are thinking of buying or selling or have any questions on Macomb County, MI real estate, give me a call or email and I'd be happy to assist you. To start searching for homes for sale, sign up for a free Listingbook account.

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