You’ve moved on, but your home is still for sale. Be sure not to let these 3 things lapse.
Maybe you had to relocate for a job before your house sold. Or you’re just so excited to move into your new home, you’ve left your old home vacant, but it’s still on the market. That’s OK. But in order to help it sell, it’s important to keep up with ongoing maintenance.
Here are three things you don’t want to let lapse when selling a vacant home:
- Lawn Service
Curb appeal is a big part of what helps a home sell. So make sure the outside of your home stays neat and tidy after you’re gone by making sure the lawn is cut & edged, fertilized, and bushes/trees are neatly trimmed. - Electric and HVAC
Of course, you want potential buyers to be able to see your home in the best light. So make sure the lights are still on and the house stays at a comfortable temperature. And it’s not just for cosmetic reasons. Houses that sit in the heat and humidity without any A/C are more susceptible to mold and mildew, which can be costly come inspection time. - Termite Bond & Pest Control
You’d be surprised how quickly insects and other critters can get into a home that isn’t protected with proper pest control. And nobody wants to move into a house where they’ve seen that bugs and pests have moved in before them. Furthermore, here in Florida, at least, many potential buyers will request that your termite bond (if you have one) be transferred at closing. The transfer fee is often much less than starting or reinstating service, so it makes sense to keep it active.
If you really want to give your home a boost on the market, consider having it staged. A home stager can move furniture in, and make the home look much more inviting. You can also consider virtual staging, which is when a photographer uses software to add furniture and decor to photos of your home…often a quicker, cheaper way to add pop to your home’s photos online.
Have other ideas to help a vacant home sell faster? Let us know in the comments.
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