Sep. 26, 2007 - Note to seller - keep your utilites on!

I am amazed at how many vacant houses that I show where the utilities have been turned off. I personally think this is a hindrance to selling the house, especially in Houston in the summer time. When I show a vacant house in the summer with the heat the way it is we breeze through; as it is too miserable to stay long. The other thing that seems to happen is the home gets an odor, it almost smells like mildew. I have spoke to home inspectors about this and they have said it can cause issues.

With the time getting ready to change it is going to start getting dark earlier and earlier. There are certain clients who can only see homes after work and if the utilities are not on that is almost impossible. I have tried to show with a flash light but I have not found it to work.

Keeping your utilities on is also going to make it easier once you get a contract. If your utilities are off you are going to have to get them all turned on for inspections. This can take up to a week for all the utilities to get turned back on. I have a situation happening right now where we have to wait for the gas to be turned on to finish our inspections. I'm not sure why the gas is the one that usually gets turned off but it is. Probably it is because our weather is so mild we don't use our gas furnaces that much.

You also want to make sure that the home has closed before turning off your utilities. Unfortunately things happen and occasionally a home does not close when it is supposed to. I had this happen with someone who had a swimming pool and it is amazing how quick a pool turns green with out electricity.

I realize that it is an extra expense leaving the utilities on when you are not living there but I think a "Sold" home will be the return on your investment.

For all your Northwest Houston Real Estate needs, contact me today!
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty
Cell: 832-721-8332