Try to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. You would prefer to buy a clean, functional, attractive, and well-maintained house, so why wouldn’t you expect others to feel the same way about your house? Pay attention to details like fixing the lights, giving the walls a fresh coat of paint, adding a new security system, trimming the bushes, creating storage, etc. First impressions are critical. Renting is always an option if you and your agent just can’t make the sale. You can rent long term, or rent with a lease that gives the tenants the possibility to buy the house later. Think of it as a “test drive” for the house. It might sell in the future instead of right now, but with the rent money, you can at least pay the mortgage on the property. If you can’t find a long-term rental, consider listing the house for tourists on websites like Airbnb. It might be inconvenient and take up a chunk of your free time, but even renting the house one week each month can help with paying the debt. Another option is temporary donation. If you must move to another city, it’s become a new trend to let a charity organization use the house. This way, you can obtain a tax deduction while the house doesn’t sit empty. On the downside, the tax deduction will most likely not be equivalent to the rent you’ll pay if you move, and after having the place used for years as an office, it will certainly need repairs before you’re able to relist it for sale.
HOW YOUR REALTOR CAN HELP YOU
Good agents network, and work together. They usually have connections with other real estate professionals and affiliations that can benefit you.
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