Selling South Lake Tahoe real estate is a journey not to be taken lightly. The journey can either be smooth sailing or full of bumps in the road. Choosing a qualified South Lake Tahoe realtor helps minimize major issues, but some things are simply out of your control. Here are some luckily not so common scenarios and what to do if you find yourself navigating these waters while selling your South Lake Tahoe home.
Disaster No. 1: The Empty Home
Selling a vacant home for sale in South Lake Tahoe can be tricky enough as it is. Studies have shown it is hard for potential buyers to imagine how much space they really have as well as how the layout flows once the furniture is in. This isn’t the only reason selling a vacant home can be stressful. Sometimes a house that is clearly unoccupied can be an invitation to squatters. While South Lake Tahoe has a very low crime rate, ask your qualified South Lake Tahoe realtor to keep an eye on the property to make sure there are no trespassers. Also check in with your insurance broker to see if you have coverage for vandalism and mischief. Some policies cover that, ensuring your vacant home is protected. The last thing you want is for a potential buyer to get an unwelcome surprise when they arrive for a showing.
Disaster No. 2: The Horrible Neighbor
Picking your neighbors is similar to picking your family…..you don’t get a lot of say in the matter. While South Lake Tahoe is a great place to live and people are generally peaceful, there may be a bad seed in the neighborhood that can deter potential buyers from making an offer. Whether it is loud music, trash in the yard or generally being unpleasant, there are some steps you can make to try and salvage the situation. If you are beyond calling a truce, consider a fence or a wall of trees. If the windows need to be replaced, consider ones that are known for blocking noise. Be sure to ask your qualified South Lake Tahoe realtor for tips as it is very likely they have had a seller deal with this situation before. If for some reason nothing works, give law enforcement a call. There are codes they could be breaking and if they get in trouble, they may decide to play nice if they know you mean business.
Disaster No. 3: The Thief
Whether it is a low level thief trying to grab small valuables and medication during a showing or a full blown criminal looking to empty your South Lake Tahoe real estate while no one is home, home robberies are a nightmare. Not only is there the feeling of being violated, but there is also having to deal with the after math. Before you even put your South Lake Tahoe home for sale on the market, be sure to walk through and take inventory of valuable items. Consider off site storage for larger items such as artwork. Lock up and hide the smaller items like jewelry and keep fancy electronics out of site.
The bottom line is that if there is something you are concerned about while selling your South Lake Tahoe real estate, be sure to chat with your Lake Tahoe, CA Realtor. They can not only ease your fears and share their experiences, but offer sound advice and tips. For more information, give us a call.