Selling a vacant home

Managing the timelines of buying and selling property can be tricky, which is why many sellers are often forced to leave the property vacant while they wait for a willing buyer to come along.

The downside to this is that a vacant home is not only less appealing to buyers, but it is also an easy target for criminals.

“Many homes stand vacant over this period, as sellers are either on vacation or need to move into the new home in time to start that new job in the new year.

“To make the property more appealing to buyers, sellers should consider staging the home.

“Apart from this, sellers will need to take extra caution and put various safety measures in place if they no longer live in the property,” cautioned regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett.

Below, RE/MAX of Southern Africa provides some tips to help keep buyers interested and to protect the vacant property during the sale process:

• Notify local law enforcement
Contacting the local police station can reduce the possibility of a problem with the home. As a tax paying resident, the seller has the right to request that the local law enforcement keeps an eye on the property while it is vacant. Most police stations will be accommodating and will ensure that additional attention is paid to the property.

• Inform your community
Inform the neighbours that the home is up for sale and currently vacant. If they don’t have your mobile number already, give it to them and ask that they make contact if there is anything they think requires your attention. Many neighbourhoods will have a watch or association that patrols the area, so inform them that the house is empty. Also, request that the real estate agent marketing the home checks in on it between showings.

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• Set your lights on timers
An added security feature is timers that turn the lights on during the evenings. This will give the appearance that someone is home while conserving energy during the day. Motion activated lighting is another ideal security feature and selling point.

• Stage the home for online listings
If sellers are unable to leave furniture in the home or rent furniture for staging, sellers should at the very least organise to take the listing photos before they move out. A bare home can seem less homely to would-be buyers. Not only will adding furniture make the home appear more inviting online, but it will also prevent criminals who are looking online to see the property as an easy target.

• Don’t leave evidence of an empty home
Ensure that regular visits are made to the home to pick up mail. Piles of newspapers or an overflowing mailbox are tell-tale signs that no-one has been home for a while. If it is not possible to pick up the mail regularly yourself, ask neighbours, friends and relatives to help out. Also, make sure to inform the relevant parties of a forwarding address.

• Maintain your front garden
Overgrown shrubbery and an uncut lawn are another tell-tale sign that the home is not inhabited. Not only will maintaining the home deter trespassers, but it will also make the home more attractive to prospective buyers.

“While selling an uninhabited home can be a daunting task, using the above tips will help to ensure that the process is as hassle-free as possible.

“Using an experienced real estate professional from a reputable brand will also expedite the process and ensure a quick and seamless sale,” Goslett said.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Ashley Kiley (Journalist) ashleyk@caxton.co.za.

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