Keeping a vacant home safe

With the recent news about the Stephentown300 vandalism at Brian Holloway's home I wanted to write a post about keeping a vacant home safe.  No neighborhood is immune to crime, and vacant homes can be easy targets. While certainly not every act of vandalism is preventable, taking actions to protect yourself & your property is prudent.

If you are selling your home and have moved on here are some tips for keeping your investment safe while waiting for it to sell.  If you need ideas (or motivation) for getting that sale, check my previous post.

• Keep the yard & exterior maintained. Overgrown grass, unkept flower beds, and cobwebs building up around front door are welcoming and inviting to prospective vandals... not prospective buyers. 
• Make sure you have stopped the mail and all publications.  A month's worth of mail and newspapers piling up can be an open invitation to crime.
• Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway.  Nothing says, "I'm home" more than a car parked in the driveway.  
• Keep the lights on.  Programmable timers and a few lights in different rooms will give the appearance of someone being in the property.  Combine that with the previous items and you won't be giving off the impression of being vacant and vulnerable
• If you live in an area where snow is a possibility, arrange ahead of time for someone to shovel & de-ice.  Not only will this keep your home maintained for prospective showings, you'll be much less likely to have a slip and fall & potential lawsuit.
• And last but not least, check your home owners insurance policy for any requirements your insurer may have for unoccupied properties.  In the event that something tragic happens on or to your property you want to make sure you are covered.  

Want more ideas for keeping your property safe?  Check this article from buzzfeed.

When you have moved on... but your old house hasn't

You knew you were moving over the summer. So you listed your home for sale in the spring.  You planted some new colorful flowers, decluttered your closets and had some showings.  You took your family photos down cleaned out the basement and had your real estate agent hold an open house.  You lowered your price. And then, because you needed to, you packed everything up and moved.

You're enjoying your new place, because you've moved on.  But your house hasn't.  Now what?

Whether or not you are carrying mortgages on both homes, you're still stressed.  Why hasn't my home sold?  What if it doesn't sell before winter?

Have you listened to the advise your Realtor has given you?  Not only the comments you liked or agreed with, but all of it.  The part where they may have suggested doing something that involves money or effort that you didn't want to do.  Now may be the time to take action on the feedback you've received from your Real Estate professional and the buyers who came through your home and did not make an offer.

Is there a consistent theme to the comments?  Did you hear negative comments about the paint color in a particular room multiple times?  Is the kitchen outdated compared to other homes in your area that sold?  Repainting isn't about finding "the" color a buyer wants, but more about not having a color that is too personalized.  For example, my 8 year old loves the pine green ceiling painted in his room.  I think it looks great too. While I am living in my home, it's my personal taste that matters.  However, if I am selling my home you can bet the ceiling will be repainted.

If you do see a theme in the comments and feedback you have received about your home, talk to your Realtor about how to best address the not so hot features and attract a buyer.  You should also ask for an updated market analysis to ensure you are priced correctly as prices are constantly adjusting to the market.