Vacant Homes for Sale in Chicago

The US has the most significant global real estate share, 3.5 times bigger than Japan, which comes in second. With a boom currently taking place, real estate is literally hot property. However, what happens when it becomes a burden and you just want to offload it?

This often happens with properties that are vacant or abandoned. Read on as we discuss how to list vacant homes for sale. 

Let Local Law Enforcement Know

An empty home is a problem for several reasons. Firstly, it costs you money. You still need to pay for upkeep and maintain it, even though no one lives there. 

Secondly, it becomes a magnet for crime and theft. People may use the house to live in or break in to see what they can get. This leads to you spending time and money on repairs and security. 

One way to avoid this is to let local law enforcement know. They may do more frequent drive-by checks. This will deter would-be criminals, saving you money and adding to security. 

Don’t Let Vacant Homes for Sale Look Abandoned

When selling a vacant house, you have two options. You need to either completely clear it or make it look livable but with few personal touches. You have no chance for a middle ground. 

A lone picture in an empty living room, leftover tools in the garage, or a solitary lamp in the bedroom does not make a good impression. This looks like someone has packed up quickly in the middle of the night and ran. Instead, you need to make an effort to stage the house properly or completely clear it. 

Improve the Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is the name estate agents give to the first view of a property. Very often, this is from the outside curb, garnering the moniker. It is crucial, as many people often decide on a property within the first few moments of seeing it. 

There are a few tactics you can employ to improve curb appeal. Take time to trim back any hedges and trees. This will make your yard look neater and create more space and light. 

After this, spruce up the fittings. Your front door and mailbox are two items that could do with a fresh coat of paint. Follow it by cutting the lawn and add some greenery or plants. 

Find a Great Real Estate Agent

A cheap real estate agent can be worth their weight in gold when selling, particularly if you are a long distance away from the property. They will give you essential advice on whether you should stage or clear the property to how to market it. They will also have a network of contacts that can help with everything from repairs to legal paperwork. 

Speak with others in the local area about real estate agents they have used. You can then check online for ratings and recommendations. Once you have a few, interview two or three to get the right one. 

Make sure you ask about their experience. Have they sold vacant properties before? How many have they dealt with in the past year?

Of course, they do take a fee from the final sale. Discuss with them what this will be in advance, so there are no surprises when closing arrives. 

Keep Utilities Going

Keeping the utilities going when you have abandoned houses for sale does sound counterproductive. However, there are several reasons why you should keep utilities going. 

Firstly, as people are not in the house, you are going to spend very little anyway. No one is using electricity and water, so it will be a minimal amount required to keep the systems going. 

Secondly, you need to maintain a reasonable temperature. If you live in an area that gets cold, the last thing you want is frozen pipes. They can crack and mean you spend more on repairs in the long run, as well as restoring any damage that may occur from leaking water. 

Another reason is that when people come to see your home, they need to feel comfortable in it. Even boarded-up homes for sale can be made inviting with a reasonable inside temperature. 

Consider a Cash-for-Homes Company

Cash buyers buy many cheap foreclosed homes in Chicago and vacant homes for sale. These can be solo buyers or from a cash-for-homes company. They buy the property at a low price, then fix them up and sell for profit quickly. 

While they will offer you a lower offer than other sales methods, this way has numerous advantages. You do not pay many of the standard fees, such as a real estate agent fee. This can often mean when you have removed costs; prices are not that different. 

This method almost always results in a much quicker sale. These companies can often have a deal turned around in a fortnight, meaning you get the money into your bank account fast. If you want the least amount of hassle, this is a method you should consider.

Of course, you do need to beware. Some people can operate scams buying like this. Make sure you deal with a reputable company such as ours to get the best, safest deal available. 

Vacant Homes for Sale

When listing vacant homes for sale, decide if you will clear them or stage them. After this, you just need to decide upon a sale method. If you choose a real estate agent, then be sure to find the right one. 

For the quickest sale, Urb Chicago should be your first stop. We buy homes for cash on the south and west side. Contact us to get a quote and turn your abandoned property into money today.