7 Tips to Avoid the Vacant Home Look

By
Real Estate Agent with Jones & Co. Realty 239-333-5556

7 Tips to Avoid the Vacant Home Look


   

 Give the house a lived-in look. Get a neighbor or family member to make the house look occupied by   parking a car in the driveway, opening and closing the drapes and taking in any mail.

 Groom the yard. Use a lawn service during the summer to keep the grass cut and a snow removal service in the winter to scrape the walks and driveway.

No outstanding nicks. Hide the effects of missing furniture. Paint and replace rugs so there are no faded spots or blemishes on the walls. Cover accent paint that alone looks odd.

Leave some furniture. A few chairs, tables, lamps and beds (or empty mattress boxes with spreads) give buyers a sense of space.

Keep the utilities on. Set the thermostat at a comfortable level during the winter and summer.

Hire a maid. Make sure the home remains spotless.

Check the homeowner's policy. Understand the coverage when the home is vacant.

Comments (5)

Diane Daley
Caron's Gateway Real Estate - Northumberland, NH

Very good pointers and tips for the vacant homes we all have on our listing charts.  Thanks for sharing.

Apr 17, 2009 08:59 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Thanks for the tips-this should help sellers at least try to make the home looked lived in.

Apr 17, 2009 09:12 AM
Connie Lou Barnett
Real Living/Home Realty - Owensboro, KY
GRI,CRS,CRB,SRMM,ARA,PRS,SFR,QSC

Good post Andrea. I like to take a small pan and put cinnamon sticks in to boil while I'm having an open house.  That really give the house a nice aroma.

Apr 17, 2009 09:13 AM
layla masset
Cherry Creek Properties - Pueblo, CO

Vacant homes always have a smell to them that shows it has not been lived in, fragrance plug ins are great.

Apr 17, 2009 09:17 AM
Dan and Amy Schuman
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Solon, OH
Luxury Home Specialists

Great tips Andrea. There are a lot of things on this list that most people don't think about.

Apr 17, 2009 01:34 PM