Q: Are there tips for selling a vacant home?
Yes. Once furniture is removed from the home, you will notice all kinds of imperfections you never paid attention to before: rips in the carpet, holes in the walls, and dinginess. In an empty house, everything stands out. What you see is what potential buyers will also see. So you may need to paint, tear up old carpet, and even replace the kitchen floor.
To get rid of the “empty house” feeling, leave a few pieces of furniture behind. Simple things like a lamp, chairs, and a table will suffice.
Pay special attention to maintenance. Someone will need to dust and vacuum, leaves will need to be raked, and the grass cut.
In the winter, have the heating system run at a low temperature to save money. You’ll definitely want to keep the electricity running because the lights will be needed to show the house and later for buyer inspections.
Watch out for that musty smell, particularly during the summer months, that settles in from having the windows sealed and locked. And beware of pests such as mice, squirrels and ants.