You may have noticed that many of the homes for sale in Lethbridge are vacant. This has been the case for as long as I can remember, and so I’ve seen a lot of problems repeat themselves in my real estate travels. It’s counterintuitive, but an empty home doesn’t show as well as one that is being lived in, all other things being equal. Vacant homes can literally feel ‘unloved’ to a prospective buyer who can’t imagine what the home would truly feel like to live in.
All purchase decisions are emotional. When a vacant home isn’t properly prepared for market, it elicits negative feelings from prospective buyers.
Here the most common mistakes to avoid and how to address them:
- Empty homes feel lonely. Staged homes feel inviting. Ask your REALTOR® about assistance with staging.
- Fresh air. Fresh air. Fresh air. Vacant homes smell… yucky. Enough said.
- Uninsured property damage is costly and could impeded a sale. Check on the home as required by your insurer’s policy.
- Shabby exterior maintenance is a turnoff. Consider seasonality: cut the grass, shovel the walk, remove debris or ice.
Watch my video below for the full explanation on how to get the very most out of your vacant home sale! If you’re thinking of selling your vacant property, give us a call or send a message. We are here to help!
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