So, the house you’re selling is vacant? Don’t despair! Here’s our top tips for making the sales process for your empty home a more straightforward one.
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Check your home insurance policy
Dust off your home insurance documents and policy to see if your coverage changes when you no longer live in the property.
Both your insurance company and your lender need to know if you move out, particularly because they will want to know you have taken some precautions to protect the property from damage.
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Deter would-be vandals and thieves
Set up a few lamps on timers to make a home look as if someone still lives in it.
Check on the home frequently to make sure the doors are locked and deliveries are picked up to protect the property from vandals
Tilt the slats of window blinds up so that passers-by cannot see that the home is vacant, yet light filters in for visitors to the property.
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Keep your vacant home maintained
Protecting your home is not only a matter of securing it against vandals, but also making sure the property isn’t damaged through poor maintenance. Property values can deteriorate, too, if you don’t keep the grass cut and the interior clean.
You should occasionally run the water in the taps, run the dishwasher and flush the toilets to make sure everything is working.
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Staging a vacant home
Use simple staging techniques such as placing shower curtains and towels in the bathrooms and kitchen; placing a bowl of fake fruit or a wine bottle with glasses on the kitchen bench; and setting a small table or plant on the balcony.
A vacant home with just a few pieces of furniture can sometimes be more appealing than a cluttered home, so that’s a plus!
For more tips on staging your property for sale, speak to a Naked Agent today.
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