Selling a Vacant Home? Here's How to Prep

Curb Appeal is King - Keep your lawn on a routine cutting and maintenance rotation. Don't forget to keep shrubs neat and tidy too...we want it to seem like someone lives in (and take care of) the house. Power wash walkways and refresh paint, especially around the front door. Consider a fresh coat of glossy paint for your front door - white, red and black are popular colors but an unexpected punch of color like turquoise or lime green can instantly refresh the look of your home. Add a fresh layer of mulch to make the beds stand out. And don't forget a fresh, cheery doormat outside to greet your guests in style.

Baby, It's Hot (or Cold) Outside - Going into a really hot or cold house is a turnoff. Buyers will move quickly through the house and not linger to think about where their furniture might fit....not what we want! If it is comfortable, you will have buyers take time to look at the house instead of only thinking about how quickly they can leave.

Make Sure Lights are Working - Even during the summer months, a home without lights can be dark and gloomy - the opposite of the vibe we want to portray. If the showing is in the evening hours without lights, an agent is wasting their time and a buyer cannot see whether they like the house or not. Make sure all light bulbs are working and consider leaving a few lamps set on timers to turn on during the evening. Don't forget about exterior lights and fixtures too - potential buyers love to see how a home shines at night!

Touch Up Housecleaning on a Regular Basis - Showings produce foot traffic and dirt. Bugs die and surfaces get dusty. Toilets get water rings. Arrange to have a light clean up once per month or so to keep the house looking ready for buyers and smelling good.

Not Having Climate Control can be Bad for Your Home - Drywall tape can pop, cracks appear, doors and trim separate, flooring can become unglued and lift. Keeping your heat and air on helps protect your interior finishes.

Keep the Utilities On - Having your utilities on will make the house feel like a home and have you ready for an offer, the home inspection and appraisal periods that do require utilities be on.

Keep Window Treatments Partly Open - Closing blinds completely makes a home look unoccupied, dark when showing and may invite thieves or vandals.

Have a Neighbor/Friend Check In Once in Awhile - A neighbor doing a routine check every few days will help give you peace of mind. Your agent should help monitor the property as well.

Let your Insurance and Mortgage Companies Know you are Moving - Making sure you have proper insurance coverage for your vacant home can save you money and frustration.