Caretaking services are available for your vacant home

Last Sunday’s article talked about homeowners who migrate south to warm weather residences during Spokane’s cooler climate months. If you plan to be away for several months, an important consideration is the care of your vacant home in Spokane. The same questions are also asked by sellers when they are transferred from their home in Spokane and forced to leave their vacant home behind. “Who will take care of my vacant home while it’s on the market during the cold, frosty months?”

“Who will call me if my pipes freeze or break?” “Who will shovel snow from my sidewalk and driveway?” “Who will pay to keep my home warm and inviting for potential home buyers?” “Who will protect my home from vandalism and theft?” These are very important questions and concerns for many homeowners.

Fortunately, there is an answer: Home caretaking and home sitting services. Home caretakers are carefully screened, responsible adults who have either owned their own home and are making a change, or they are saving money to purchase a home, or they may be building a home. They are specifically matched according to their furniture, to show the home’s maximum potential.

Many REALTORS® agree that an occupied home sells much faster than those that are vacant, and it is easy to understand why. Vacant properties are not kept up on a daily basis and are susceptible to vandalism, inclement weather and other hazards. But it goes way beyond that. When prospective buyers see a comfortable, clean, lived-in-home, they will picture themselves in that home, consciously and subconsciously.

You may have enjoyed visiting new model homes for the same reason. The model home concept was designed by new home builders when they found how difficult it was to visualize how a home would look with furniture. REALTORS® agree that a vacant home does not have the same appeal that a furnished home does. Curb appeal combined with attractive furniture provided by a caretaker means a quicker and a more profitable sale for you as an owner.

Your home is accessible and in “ready to show” condition, seven days a week. Home caretakers have created a way for your home to be occupied without the hassles associated with a tenant, and offer substantial savings to the homeowner. The caretakers pay all utility bills (electric, gas, sewer charges, trash, water, homeowner association dues).They maintain the lawn, and pools. Spot inspections are typically done by the caretaking company to ensure that the home is being maintained.

The benefits to you as an owner and your REALTOR® are:

•Insurance cost is reduced because the home is occupied.

•No landlord/tenant problems.

•Caretaker can usually vacate in as little as 10-30 days, upon closing date.

•Home is left clean for new owner.

•A shorter marketing time and higher selling price.

•All utilities & lawn care are typically paid by the caretaker.

•Less concern about the risk of vandalism.

Home caretaking companies are skilled in matching the person and his or her belongings to the home so there is an easy fit that displays a property to its best advantage, and this often leads to a quicker sale.

Your REALTOR® offers many options and expert advice for the most effective ways to sell your home. Ask your Spokane REALTOR® for a recommendation to a home caretaking service for your vacant home. Just one more reason in today’s market to list your home with a Spokane REALTOR®.