Do You Own A Vacant House? – List it with Someone Who Cares

I’ve had the privilege to work with sellers who own a vacant home or apartment in Brooklyn, NY.  Most Realtors will jump at the chance to list a vacant property because they’re so easy to show, but being responsible for someone else's empty house takes a lot of dedication.

A local agent recently had a vacant house he was selling stripped of a lot of expensive items.   All the copper plumbing, appliances, and cabinets (even the medicine cabinet in the bathroom) were taken as well as smaller items like glass doorknobs.  Since there was no sign of a break in, a window inadvertently left unlocked seemed to be the robber’s way in.

When I list a vacant property I take keeping it as safe and secure as possible very seriously.  Here’s what I do when I’ve listed an empty house:

I make sure all the locks are adequate, on all doors and windows.  If not, I suggest the seller has them replaced.

I am present for all showings – I know this is not something that’s done in a good portion of the United States, but it’s a common practice in Brooklyn, and in order for me sleep well at night I want to be sure that the property is locked up properly, and I do that by being there to check and double check every door myself.

I periodically check for garbage in front of the house – The New York City Sanitation Department can be very aggressive with the ticketing when too many leaflets, flyer's and garbage in general piles up in front of a house.  I want to spare my seller the added expense (I’ve seen tickets for as much as a $100) so I’ll clean up.

I admit it.  I don’t shovel snow, but I do advise the owner to hire someone who will to take care of any snow removal and any excessive amount of leaves.  Again, the Sanitation Department will fine the owner of a home where the snow hasn’t been removed from the public sidewalk. (Yes, you’re right, the public sidewalk is not your property, but you’ll get fined and be required to pay the fine none-the-less.  It’s the law.)

I’ll empty the mailbox – Despite the fact that the owner may have filed a Change of Address with the Post Office; mail will still come to the house.  Nothing says, “this house is empty please rob it” like piles and piles of mail poking out of the mailbox.  I gather up the mail periodically and mail it to the seller.

I want to take as much of the worry out of the selling process as possible, that’s why I take the security of an empty listing as seriously as I would if it was my own place, and I might loose a little sleep over it because I care.

Do you have a vacant home in Brooklyn, New York that you would like sold?  Call me today so I can get your well secured property sold as quickly as possible for the best possible price.

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Elaine Cooper, Realtor®

Fillmore Real Estate
917-544-2662
elaine(at)fillmore(dot)com

Your Brooklyn, New York Real Estate Salesperson Specializing in Multi-Family Townhomes, Condos and Coops.

Click here -->Sell A Home Brooklyn.com for more information about Buying or Selling in Brooklyn, New York.

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