Is your house vacant? Give it that   "lived in " look with these tips.

vacant houseThere are a LOT of vacant homes on the market right now. Some may be in the foreclosure process. Some may be up for sale. Maybe you have two homes and haven't had any success selling one of them. Did your renters move out and your waiting for the next tenant to move in? How about an investment property that you need to put a buyer into.
Whatever the case may be, you still want the home to have that   "lived in " look.

A home that says  "look at me. I'm vacant ", is just a bad situation waiting to happen. A vacant home can be prone to a number of problems. The home could be vandalized and windows or doors broken out. Thieves may come in and steal appliances, copper, light fixtures, the furnace, water heater, toilet, tub, sink or kitchen cabinets. You could be leaving the door open for squatters to move in. Once they're in, damages could occur and it may be difficult to get them out.

Here are some simple steps to help avoid future problems.

 

  • Keep the grass and bushes cut.
  • Keep the yard picked up.
  • Keep the mail, newspapers and occasional fliers collected or discontinue them.
  • Put a light on a timer and vary the times.
  • Keep curtains in the windows closed.
  • Leave a radio on inside.
  • Ask a neighbor to keep an eye out and call you if they see something unusual.
  • Allow a neighbor to park their car in your driveway.
  • Put an alarm on the home.


Anything you can do to make the home look occupied is well worth the effort.
Also, check your homeowners insurance policy. The coverage may be different if the home is unoccupied.

 
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13 Comments on Is your house vacant? Give it that "lived in" look with these tips.

MAY
14
2011
779,231 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Excellent list for the vacant home. The idea of getting the neighbors involved is great, they have the best view.
9:24am • #1
479,483 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Craig, I have seen "vacant homes" left without a single fixture, no appliances and basements stripped af anything they could take.

Sad but true.

This is very good advice for anyone with a vacant home. Even the bank owned homes.

Very good information and advice.

Clint Mckie 
9:30am • #2
127,578 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Tom, I have vacant homes around me that I keep an eye on. I would hope that other neighbors would want to protect their area.

Clint, it's tougher for the banks because they may be out of state and relying on a third party company to handle the properties.
9:36am • #3
379,863 Points 84 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Craig - Great point and excellent advice! A vacant home just isn't inviting and it's so important to keep up appearances. You want the home to say "welcome", not "Vacant".
9:46am • #4
227,559 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Craig - These are all excellent points for protecting a vacant home. I hit Suggest.
9:58am • #5
586,344 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Also let  your insurance agent know you are not living in the house.
10:15am • #6
127,578 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Kristine, the lived in apperance will help decrease the possibilty of unwanted visitors. Setting the stage starts with "curb appeal".

Judy, thank you for suggesting. Just sharing some thoughts here.

Richard, you don't want to find out the hard way that you aren't covered when the home is vacant. You could end up suffering the loss with no coverage.
12:39pm • #7
MAY
15
2011
479,483 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Craig,How would someone get ahold of those "banks out of town" about taking care of those distressed properties?

Just a thought.

Clint
9:05am • #8
127,578 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Clint, to my knowledge, the out of town banks will hire a third party company to initially come in to clean out and winterize the home. I'm not sure if they have the same company 'maintain' the property or if they have another property management company for that. There may be a notice in the window of the home with a contact number. Also, check city records to find ownership status. With the abundance of vacant homes, the banks need help with the out of town properties.
10:20am • #9
MAY
16
2011
2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Craig, this is why us stagers (and savvy agents) often suggest having at least some rental furniture and trees/plants in a home -- to give it that "lived-in" look (not to mention to avoid sending the signal of desperation that a vacant home can send to buyers who already low-ball so many properties these days). In general, furniture helps properties with unusual angles, floor plans, and room sizes look more appealing by giving buyers a better idea of where/how furniture should go and fit. 
2:41am • #10
127,578 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Amy, the focus of this post was on the exterior of a home. Being a home stager, you have another view and you make some great points about the interior as well. Thank you for commenting
8:10pm • #11
MAY
17
2011
803,539 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Very good advice. The tell-tale sign of vacant foreclosures is that sticker on the window on who to call if there is a problem!
7:44am • #12
127,578 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Gary, foreclosure stickers stand out like a sore thumb. This particular home has a green sticker from the city requiring the homeowner to cut the grass or the city will do it and add the cost to the property taxes. Outside appearance is key to giving the impression that the home may be occupied and not vacant.
9:05am • #13


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Craig Snead / Real Estate Investor

Dearborn Heights, MI

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Quality Home Investments, LLC / Dearborn Heights, MI

Address: Ford Rd, Dearborn Heights, MI, 48127

Cell Phone: (734) 776-2988

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