Vacation homes can be a great escape for individuals and their families. However, some may find that they are not able to utilize their second home as much as they would like, and decide to put the home up for sale. The process for putting a vacation property on the market is similar to that of selling a home that serves as a primary residence, although there are a few obstacles that can make the process slightly more challenging for sellers.

For example, individuals who own vacation properties in another part of the country may not be able to make it out to their second home on a regular basis. For this reason, it’s important to take a few preliminary steps to help a home sale go more smoothly.

Work with a local real estate agent

When a vacation home owner can’t be on site 24 hours a day, working with the right real estate agent who will be responsible for unloading the home on the market is important. Agents who specialize in the area the vacation home is located in can give sellers peace of mind when they are far away. Local agents may have more connections and stronger insight into that particular market. This can be especially useful in a high-traffic tourist area, because potential buyers will likely have several questions about what to expect during the tourist season.

Make repairs early

The last thing a seller wants is to have to travel suddenly to make unexpected repairs before a buyer makes the purchase. Instead, it can be helpful to have all the preliminary work on the home done before the house goes on the market. Sellers should consider hiring a home inspector to pinpoint potential problems with a property and make the repairs quickly. Most buyers will hire their own home inspector to evaluate a property, and having all repairs and upgrades complete before this process can save sellers money down the road.

Spruce up the property

Buyers who walk into a dusty vacation home that hasn’t been cleaned since the last tourist season may quickly walk away from a house. Sellers should make the effort to visit the property for a short period of time before showing the home to clean it thoroughly and stage it properly. Small acts, such as painting, changing the linens and organizing the house can make a great deal of difference when selling a home. Those who will not have the chance to visit often while their home is up for sale may also want to hire a landscaper and cleaning service to maintain the property during the selling process.

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