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Summer Vacation & House Selling
By Ann Smith
Do you believe you
have to forego this summer’s vacation because your house is up for sale?
You can get away…all you have to do is take a few precautions, much like
you’d do even if your house wasn’t for sale. Here are a few things to keep
in mind.
House sitter
- Having a trusted
family member or close friend live in your home while you’re away
authenticates the “lived in” look.
- Hire a house
sitting business but make sure you do your homework – check references,
do a background check, and interview the person involved.
- Advise your
temporary tenant she/he may need to escape with little notice for
viewings.
Mail and
newspaper pickup
- Depending on how
long you’re away, call the post office and newspaper to suspend
deliveries.
- Ask a reliable
neighbour to pick up the weekly flyers that are tossed on your front
step.
Informal
Security check-up
- Put lights on
timers (use several).
- Keep a
radio/television on a timer.
- Install outside
motion detector lights.
- Lock/bolt all
doors and windows including garage doors.
- Place a dowel
rod in the slider channel of sliding doors and windows.
- Leave curtains
and shades in their “normal” position.
- Store valuables
out of sight.
- Lower the volume
of your telephone’s ringer.
Formal Security
check-up
• Install a security system, which could increase the value of your home –
or make it more appealing to buyers – and reduce your insurance premiums.
Neighbours as
lookouts
- If you do not
already have a Neighbourhood Watch program, let your trusted neighbours
know when you’ll be away so they can watch for anything suspicious or
unusual around your home.
- Ask them to park
their car in your driveway, mow the lawn, and put out your garbage.
- Keep your plans
quiet. Don’t advertise your travel plans on your voice mail or email and
ensure office staff does not tell callers you’re on vacation.
Advise your
Realtor (This is vital!)
- Your Realtor may
have more ideas about your particular situation.
- Your Realtor can
limit house showings and open houses during the time you are away if
necessary.
- And don’t
forget, your Realtor needs to know how to get a hold of you when an offer
comes in.
Although it would
be nice to have a crystal ball to tell you when your house will sell so you
can plan a summer vacation away from home, we know this isn’t a viable
option. Keeping these tips in mind will allow you to relax on your holiday,
knowing your house is as secure as you can make it without being there.
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