If you plan to sell your home in Champaign County and you have the option to sell the home occupied or vacant, which of those options would work best for you? The answer depends on a number of factors, as each way has its pros and cons. Here are some of the pros and cons of selling a vacant home in Champaign.
Pros of Selling a Vacant Home
1. Easier to show.
If there’s no one occupying a home for sale, showing the home is much easier. There’s no need to schedule the showing with the seller, as the agent will have free access to your home any time. This will allow more opportunities for showings, as scheduling conflicts won’t be an issue. Your day will also have fewer interruptions, as you won’t need to leave your home during every showing.
2. You don’t have to keep cleaning your home.
Keeping your home spotless on a daily basis while living in it can be a challenge when you sell your home. You may not notice the mess building up, but buyers might. Having your home vacant during the sale solves that issue. Although you may need to clean it periodically if there are a lot of showings. But the amount you need to clean it will certainly be less.
3. Some buyer’s have an easier time seeing a clean slate.
No two home buyers in Champaign are alike. Some like to see a home for sale with furniture, some want to see it empty, as it makes it easier to picture their own belongings in an empty home.
Cons of Selling a Vacant Home
1. Vacant homes feel vacant.
Naturally, a vacant home feels empty. As we noted previously, this is fine for some buyers. But for other buyers, they want to see a home that’s furnished. You can hire a professional stager to use props to show how your home will look with furniture, but that will cost extra money that could be better used elsewhere (like toward your down payment).
A vacant home also shows more imperfections, as every wall and floor is exposed. Even if there aren’t glaring blemishes, even the small ones can be perceived subconsciously.
2. Vacant homes attract crime.
Vacant homes have a higher risk of being broken into or vandalized, or even worse, occupied by a squatter. But what would people steal in a vacant home? Copper pipes and wires can be sold for scrap. Yes, some criminals are that desperate for money.
3. Vacant homes might require special insurance.
Not every insurance company will treat a vacant home the same as if it’s occupied. It may be more expensive to insure the home if it is vacant, so make sure to check with your home insurance company to see if this will be the case.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when selling a vacant home:
- Tell your neighbors and friends that your home will be vacant during the selling process. Extra eyes on the property can’t hurt.
- Make sure to have good locks installed with deadbolts.
- Install a security system or home monitoring system.
- Install lights on timers to make the house look occupied.
- Keep the home’s exterior and landscaping clean and in good shape. This shows buyers as well as everyone else that you still care about the home.
If you decide to sell your home in Champaign-Urbana, Rose Price can help you decide if selling your home vacant will be the best option for your circumstances.
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