What to do when your home is for sale and you are going out of town.
Whether you are a snowbird headed north for the summer or just planning a 
well-deserved vacation, if you have your home on the market there are things you can do before you go to help keep it show ready.
Just because the season is over, houses are still selling. There are still buyers. Maybe not as many as in the fall but they’re still there. This is why you need to make the most of every showing opportunity.
Having your house in show-ready condition is important. So before you leave, here are 8 things you can do to make sure your home is ready for that next buyer!
1.Leave some lights on
There’s nothing worse than a buyer and their agent having to fumble around for lights so they can see what they are buying. Don’t think about the utility bill….you want to sell your house, don’t you!
*Place lamps on a timer to make sure they’re on during the day.
*Make sure your key areas are lit…the kitchen, family room, master bedroom and master bath at the very least.
*You don’t want your buyer to lose interest because they’ve spent 20 minutes trying to find your lights.
2.Don’t scare your buyers away with a hot house!
It’s summer weather here in South Florida and you know how hot it can get. Add in humidity and it can be like a sauna. Make sure that your thermostat is set to “Welcome” and not “Go Away.”
Like your house lights now is not the time to worry about your utility bill. While you don’t have to set it low enough to hang meat, you’ll want to make sure the home is cool.
One other reason you’ll want to keep your house cool is to help prevent mold from building up.
3.Keep tabs on your lawn and pool service.
You know how quickly plants and grass grow in the summer here. Make sure that your lawn and pool do not suffer in your absence.
If you have outdoor pots with flowers that will need watering make arrangements for them as well.
During our hot summers, pools need special care...chemicals that will keep it from looking like the local pond.
4.If your packages or mail will not be forwarded have a neighbor/friend/relative pick them up.
Nothing like packages piled up at the front door to say “I’m not home.”
5.Have a friend/relative go through your home periodically to check it out.
You can have them check for dead bugs, spider webs, burned out lights and check to make sure things have not been disturbed. If you’re gone long-term, have them flush your toilets.
6. Lock it up or take it with you.
We all feel safe in our homes but it’s important to make sure that your valuables, and that includes your financial papers, are secure.
7. If you have a sprinkler system, have someone check to make sure there are no broken heads
It could be your lawn service team or the same person who is checking on your home. You’ll want them to check that they’re still working (they’ll know from the brown lawn!) and that there are no broken heads that are gushers!
8. Don’t put your hurricane shutters up yet!!!
The 2016 hurricane season begins June 1 and yes, we need to make preparations. However, if your home is on the market, buyers will need to be able to see your home.
Have a friend or service install your shutters when you know a hurricane is coming. Make arrangements now because everyone will be booked quickly.
When your home is for sale, follow these 8 tips to make sure you home shows well when you are away.
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