Caring For A Vacant Home: Important Dos And Don'ts
Posted on: 21 October 2015
If you're currently in possession of a vacant home for any reason, the fact remains that it'll be your responsibility to care for the home until you're able to either move into it or sell it. Otherwise, you could end up with fines, expensive property damage, or both. Specifically, there are some important pieces of advice you'll want to keep in mind when it comes to caring for a vacant home.
DO Make it Look Inhabited
The last thing you want is for it to be obvious that the home is vacant. This will only invite vandals and other criminals to the property and likely result in all kinds of property damage, from kicked-in doors and broken windows to stolen piping materials and everything in between. You can make a vacant home look inhabited by taking the time to turn different lights on throughout the week, keep up with the landscaping, and even allow trusted neighbors to park vehicles in the driveway as needed.
DON'T Forget to Close Off Chimneys
It should be common sense to block off all exterior entry points to the home (doors, windows, and garage doors, for example), but there are many other possible entry points that you'll also want to close up. This includes your chimney (if it won't be used), as this is a common entry point for unwanted critters. The same goes for dryer vents--especially those that are located at ground level and are common for homes with basement laundry. By taking the time to close these off, you can avoid pest infestations in your home.
DO Hire Property Clean Up
When the time comes to attempt to sell a vacant home, consider hiring a professional property clean up service to get the place looking presentable and increasing its curb appeal. After all, unless you're looking to sell a to real estate investor, there's a good chance that poor curb appeal could scare off many potential buyers and cost you money as a result. If you have questions about professional property clean up, look into local services, such as Seabreeze Property Services.
DON'T Forget to Winterize
Last but not least, if you live in an area that experiences frigid winters, make sure you take the necessary steps to winterize the vacant home. This means hiring a plumber to winterize all pipes so they don't freeze and burst. Additionally, take time to clean out gutters and trim any low-hanging branches above the roof of the home. These small measures can go a long way.
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