Keep the Momentum Going: Attract Prospective Buyers Even While You’re Out of Town

Leaving home for vacations is a great time for those who are in the process of selling their home to hit the road, seas or air and enjoy a vacation away from the stresses associated with a home sale. If a beach retreat isn’t in the cards this year, you may want to consider a trip to the new town, city or even state you will soon call home in order to get a good feel as to what your new life will entail.

Agents love it when sellers are away because it opens the house up to showings at all times, without restrictions. It also cuts down on some of the “when will my house sell?” questions that may come up from an eager seller. Just make sure to inform your agent of your agenda and any changes so there are no surprises or mix-ups with schedules.

If you’re moving out of state, now is an opportune time to visit the area and get a good feel as to what your new locale has to offer. You may even want to pencil in some time to do some house hunting of your own, especially if you don’t already have a home to move into once yours sells.

When leaving for vacation, there are several things you should do before you head out of town. While having someone water the plants, check the mail and collect the newspaper so that it doesn’t stack up and look messy are crucial items that shouldn’t be ignored, if you’re home is currently on the market, there are a few other key areas that you must pay attention to as well.

If you’re planning a long trip, make sure someone is cutting the lawn and caring for outdoor plants so that your landscaping doesn’t scare away potential buyers. If you have a pool, be sure someone is responsible for taking care of it. The last thing you want is for the water to turn green and the pool to be littered with leaves.

Since summer is a big time for storms in many areas of the country, you should have a contingency plan in place in case strong weather hits while you’re away. If you have someone who does your lawn, ask them to come by and check for fallen branches or lawn rubbish in the event of a storm. If there isn’t someone who comes to care for your lawn regularly, ask some of the kids that live in the neighborhood if they’ll clean up any mess while you’re out of town.

While most people turn off their thermostat to save money while they’re away, doing so during the summer can cause your house to really heat up. If your home is on the market, this can drive prospective buyers out of the house quickly and even keep them from examining all the nuances that make your home special. If you’re adamant about selling your house, now is not the time to be thinking about saving money on air conditioning.

The same rule applies when it comes to turning off the water. Many prospective buyers will check to make sure the faucets work when viewing a home, and if the water is off, it could send a red flag to a potential buyer.

You should also provide your agent with a way to contact you in case someone wants to make an offer. The last thing you want is to be out of touch and have a buyer lose interest in the time you were gone.

For more information on keeping your home up to par while you’re out of town, contact our office today.

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