Vacant properties have to be maintained. If they aren’t, they rapidly decrease in appeal and value and pose a higher risk to you as the owner. When you’re holding a vacant property, you want to make sure it remains in good condition while finding a buyer. Vacant property maintenance requires some commitment, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some simple tips for maintaining a vacant property.
Maintain the Outside
Curb appeal is just as important, if not more important, with vacant properties as with any other type of property. Keep the grass mowed, have the gutters cleaned, keep walkways clear, and remove any clutter. The property should look taken care of at all times. This is essential if you want to move the property. Vacant properties that feel neglected and abandoned are not intriguing to prospective buyers.
Keep Up with Repairs
Reduce the risk of damage, vandalism, and theft by keeping all areas of the home in good condition. Repairing parts of the home that require attention and updating areas that need it will make the home look better, keep it sale-ready, and lessen the likelihood of someone being able to break in. It will also be important when potential buyers come to view the property that they see that everything is up-to-date and working.
Install a Security System
On top of things looking tidy and up-to-date, you’ll also want a security system. A good security system is invaluable when maintaining a vacant property. A vacant property is at a higher risk for break-ins and other sources of damage. A security system will contact officials if anything goes wrong and ensure the issue is resolved as quickly as possible. To protect you and your vacant property, a security system is a must-have.
Make it Look Lived-in
A basic aspect of maintenance for a vacant property is making sure it doesn’t scream ‘vacant’. Automatic lights and other automated systems can be incredibly helpful in reducing the likelihood of a break-in. You can also have the mail sent elsewhere or kept at the post office. Keeping the outside appealing to potential buyers is important; and even if you don’t decide to stage the inside, it should still be kept clean and tidy to appeal to buyers.
Maintaining a vacant property isn’t all that different from maintaining any other property. The goal is to make it attractive to buyers and to keep it secure from potential threats, like break-ins. The real challenge with a vacant property is removing the vacant feeling and making the property feel lived in and valuable. Staying organized with a list of maintenance tasks and checking in on the property regularly can help make the maintenance go smoothly.
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