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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Tuesday December 23, 2008 - 13 Strategies for selling a vacant property Sellers may be finding that their property is remaining on the market significantly longer than the days of "list today, sold tomorrow." There is also more competition for buyers. So, it can be frustrating to put your BILL SCHIAVONE home on the market, expecting a fast sale, only to find & STEVE that after six months you're still waiting for an offer. DIAMOND This is especially true if you need to move quickly and leave your unsold home vacant. Real Estate Talk Besides creating a marketing challenge, a vacant home can also be a target for vandalism. Here are strategies you can use to hasten a sale and protect your and utilities. Having someone living on site discourages vandalproperty during the process. ism, protects against deterioration and weather hazards and may even reduce insurance costs. (Check with your insurance carri· Instead of producing a spacious appearance, an er.) empty room tends to look smaller than a furnished · Leave the utilities connected. Depending on the season, room. So, leave behind a few select pieces of furniture make sure the thermostat in the house is set at a comfortable and keep the window treatments in place. A chair or level. lamp on a small table will confer a sense of scale and help potential buyers gauge whether their furniture will fit the space. · Repaint brightly and boldly colored rooms to a neutral tone. What was an eye-popping room when fully-furnished may appear stark and small when empty. · To thwart unwelcome visits, give the house a lived-in look. Set a couple of lamps on timers, and ask a neighbor or friend check on the house daily to collect mail, park a car in the driveway, and close and open drapes and windows. Continue using a gardening service or hire someone to cut the grass regularly. During the winter months, arrange to have snow shoveled from the walks and driveway. · If available, consider employing a home manager or house sitter. At little or no cost to homeowners, the 155 CHARTWELL ROAD house is furnished and decorated for show-to-sell conSouth East Oakville Building Lot; South East Oakville completely dition. Most companies require home managers to 100ft x 334ft lot surrounded by renewed Williamsburg style home mow the lawn, shovel snow, even pay pool maintenance multimillion dollar estates. Build your with magazine level 260ft western own dream home. $2,800,000. exposed park like lot. $2,495,000. · Review your homeowner's insurance policy with your insurance agent to find out what the stipulations and coverage pertain to your vacant home. · Find a real estate professional with experience selling vacant houses. Often, these sales professionals specialize in relocation. You want to make sure that you are comfortable with your lines of communication. If you will be residing in another town, come up with an agreement on how often your representative will check on the home and what should be done if a problem develops. Although a vacant house presents certain challenges, it does not need to be difficult to sell. Bill Schiavone and Steve Diamond can be reached at 905338-6550. Prudential Town Centre Realty Inc., Brokerage is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. 157 SYBELLA DRIVE Expanded & Fully Renovated, approximately 3,500sq.ft. gourmet kitchen & stunning backyard oasis ideal for entertaining. $1,395,000. 180 WEST LYNN ROAD Custom Bungalow south of lakeshore, Mtagnificent .56 acre lot. Open concept design with exceptional finishes. $1,390,000. 1486 SEAGRAM AVENUE Custom Re-built & Renovated split level home in sought after coronation park on mature .26 acre lot, ideal for entertaining. $1,299,000. 323 MACDONALD ROAD Rare Century Home in old Oakville full of character and charm, inviting front porch and very private mature yard with in-ground pool. $959,000. 1483 BRIARWOOD CRES. Custom Build your dream home on a generous 60ft x 130ft lush lot in high demand family friendly Morrison area. $619,000. 1300 OLD BRIDLE PATH Classic Arthur Blakely model, ideal 4 bdrm executive home in prestigious Glen Abbey location, timeless curb appeal. $588,400. 1263 INGLEDENE DRIVE School Rich Falgarwood custom bungalow thoroughly updated on premium oversized ravine lot. Over 80k in premium upgrades. $579,000. 1405 CRAIGLEITH ROAD Signature Fernbrook freehold T/H in prestigious Joshua Creek. Ideal end unit with 2,520sq.ft. of open concept living space. $564,900. 2241 GRAND OAK TRAILS Ballantry Built 4bdrm, 3,000sq.ft. executive home in family friendly West Oak Trails. Steps to parks schools and shopping. $499,000. 2115 REBECCA STREET Oversized Updated split level in desirable West Oakville on huge 75ft x 150ft mature lot. Must be seen to be appreciated.$459,000. Alexx Coelho (fourth from left) with other Santa Speedo Run participants LE AS E LE AS E Charity Run Helps SickKids Alex Coelho far surpassed his goal for the fourth annual Santa Speedo Run on December 13. He contributed just under $3,000 toward the approximate $40,000 of total donations for the SickKids Foundation Toys and Games Fund. "The best part was seeing the shoppers' reactions," Alexx says. Even though the temperature was -1 degree Celsius, Alexx said he didn't feel cold. "The adrenalin was flowing," he says. "It was a really cool experience." 100 per cent of the money raised goes directly toward purchasing toys and games for children. "This helps makes the stay a little more bearable for the kids ­ that's the best part," Alexx says. Alexx is already preparing for next year's run and recruiting people as he goes. 2247 NEWCASTLE CRESCENT Beautiful & Inviting, 3 bdrm, T/H in West Oak Trails. Perfect for first time buyers. Close to parks, schools & shopping. $297,900. 1071 QUEENS AVENUE Ideal location, close to Oakville Place, GO & TC. Open concept, 2 bdrms, master with balcony. Easy living condo lifestyle. $249,000. 327 ALLAN STREET Prime Olde Oakville walking distance to Downtown & GO. Huge great room, large kitchen, finished lower level & fenced yard. $3,250. 1278 KINGS COLLEGE Executive Lease. 4bedroom family home located in prestigious Glen Abbey backing onto ravine close to school, parks & amenities.$2,500.