A vacant listing in Maryland has a few more challenges than an occupied home for sale. This is a well documented check list for sellers that have already moved on.

Keep in mind that the seasons are more extreme in Central Maryland. During the frigid months of winter the temperatures need to be lifted inside the property to avoid frozen pipes. When it snows the paths and driveways need to be shovelled. The hose bibs should be winterized for safety. The sump pump must be plugged in and in working condition. During the fall the leaves need to be raked and bagged.

Via Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals):

1. Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law. And that's likely how your home owners insurance policy will read. Many sellers put their home on the market, move out, and fail to notify their carrier of the home now being vacant. A vacant home is a home with more liability. A house without people means there's an increased opportunity for damage, fire and vandalism, and an owner will almost always be charged accordingly.

No owner needs to have a claim denied because they didn't want to pay an increased premium for a few extra months. Do the right thing and keep your insurance company informed if you move out.

2. LEAVE all of your utilities on. The Texas contracts are pretyped for the SELLER to be responsible to keep them on for inspections. The only time a seller has the utilities off is when it's a foreclosure, HUD home or short sale. Buyers will provide you a "foreclosure type offer" if you treat the home as such.

 

3. Take care of your lawn. Keep the grass watered, edged, mowed and cared for. This might sound simple, but brown patch and other yard diseases can easily set in if the grass isn't being maintained in it's routine fashion.

4. Make sure you leave TOILET PAPER. You don't want buyers and their agents getting creative!

5. Pick up the phone books, flyers, business cards and other advertisements from the porch. The accumulation will send a "I've been sitting on the market for a long time" type message.

6. Always have the home routinely visited. Make sure doors, windows and gates are locked. Unfortunately when a home is on the market these access points can be breached and accidentally left open. Alarms and other items with batteries seem to always die once the seller leaves.

7. Check for nesting. Rodents, cats and other varmints tend to take refuge in awnings, roofs, chimneys, gutters and patio coverings.

                     

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The information contained in this blog is believed to be reliable and while every effort is made to assure that the information is as accurate as possible, the author of this blog, and its comments disclaim any implied warranty or representation about it's accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for any particular purpose. All information is copywritten and the property of Greg Nino.  

 

 

 

Ellie McIntire Real Estate

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3 Comments on Vacant Listings & Big Mistakes Made By Homeowners...

JAN
04
2011
1,360,190 Points 93 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

You wrote "During the frigid months of winter the temperatures need to be lifted inside the property to avoid frozen pipes. When it snows the paths and driveways need to be shovelled. The hose bibs should be winterized for safety."

So you turn up the heat in the house?  We need to advise sellers to winterize the plumbing in the house so vacant houses.  Most probably turn the heat a little lower...
5:46pm • #1
958,542 Points 24 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Maureen, there are actually two options. The first , as you suggest being to winterize the property. This would require hiring a plumber. Maryland law requires that all utilities are operational for all inspections, so there would also be a cost for de-winterization. Then depending on settlement date another fee to winterize and de-winterize prior to closing. The other option is just keep the utilities on and make sure that the home is heated adequately to avoid frozen pipes. I usually suggest that there is a tap dripping in the bathroom to keep a flow of water.
7:39pm • #2
JAN
05
2011
1,360,190 Points 93 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

We don't have any laws about utilities being on for inspections. It is handled per contract. 

Our problem is storms that knock out power for days, or the seller does not pay the gas bill or.... someone takes the furnace panel off during a showing. Someday I will forgive a local agent for that, and luckily pipes did not freeze, another agent showing a few days later asked me "what's wrong with the furnace?" I said "nothing, why?"  She told me it was cold in the condo and the panel was off the furnace. Me or seller turning heat up to the max would NOT matter if an agent looking at the property turns off the furnace, dismantles the furnace.... I guess that condo the seller was living elsewhere and came back and stayed in the condo a couple of times before it sold.   I believe most vacant homes here are winterized or we recommend they be winterized because unless you checked on the listing daily you could have frozen pipes.

Last summer I had someone looking at a home turn off the water....in a vacant home.  I thought the sellers had turned it off...  Seller called the water company and they told him it was still on.  I had to go find where it was turned off and turn it back on.

 
5:22pm • #3

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Ellie McIntire, CDPE Howard County Homes for Sale

Ellicott City, MD

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Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate

Address: Ellicott City,Columbia,Woodstock,Woodbine,Catonsville, , Clarksville, Cooksville, Elkridge,Lisbon,Marriotsville,Eldersburg,Oella,Sykesville,, Ellicott City, MD, 21042

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I am a Maryland transplant from many other places, most recently Florida, but since 1997 I have found my true home in the heart of this great State. Maryland has it all. Mountains 3 hours to the West, the Atlantic Ocean 3 hours to the East and head North and South for either Philadelphia and New York or Washington DC. It is the perfect location! The Metro Baltimore area offers a rich mix of history and modern amenities. City living, suburbia or "not a neighbor in sight" is available in this area. Excellent Schools, amazing communities and an incredible location is why many people choose to live in Central Maryland. I proudly help my clients buy and sell all types of homes in Howard County and beyond. Enjoying the entire process is my goal for my clients. Every transaction is different and everyone has different needs. I know the Metro Baltimore area well and I am current on the Real Estate Market activity- That's my job. As your "Buyers Agent" I will work diligently to find you the home that suits all your needs. I will update you immediately when a home matches your search criteria. I will educate you on the current market and help you craft the best offer possible. I will "hold your hand" throughout the entire process. As your "Listing Agent" I will coach and guide you from day one to put your best foot forward when you list your home. I will use aggressive and innovative marketing strategies to give your home the best exposure possible. I will use modern technology and multiple resources that other agents do not use. I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH PROOF OF ALL MY EFFORTS. I am a full time agent and I my number one goal is to give you exceptional service ALWAYS.


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