In cities where rentals outweigh homes for sale, people who want to buy are sometimes forced to stay in the rental market because there isn’t much choice for buying—the homes available may be too expensive, the wrong size, or in an undesirable area of town. Whatever the reason, when people keep renting instead of buying a home, it means that those homes sit vacant. This is an issue for many neighborhoods, and properties that are owned by a bank or property management company should be protected against crime—vacancies are often seen as easy targets. How can owners protect their homes or buildings, or even better—how can they get them sold?
Lowering Prices, Offering Incentives
No real estate agent or bank wants to hear that lowering prices is a way to get vacant properties off their hands. But the truth is, lowering the asking prices, offering potential buyers additional benefits—lower closing costs, a signing bonus, etc.—can help move properties more quickly. Often, the prices don’t need to be lowered that much in order to push someone to make the sale. People will be looking for good deals when they’re ready to move, and in a competitive rental market, there often aren’t many to be had. Buying is a different story. Since there’s fewer places to look at for purchase, people may be more forgiving of a slightly-less than ideal property if the price is right.
Protecting and Securing Buildings
While buildings are empty, however, it’s essential to protect them. Since empty buildings often look it—overgrown grass or dead plants outside, no lights on, broken windows or damaged exterior—vandals and thieves see those properties as easy targets. People looking for a place to sleep will often break-in, copper wire and pipe may be stolen, and other damage could happen to an unsecured building. One easy way for property owners to prevent that damage is by setting up window security covers to avoid broken windows and prevent people climbing in through the openings, as well as installing door guards. Blocking entry points to would-be criminals is the easiest way to ensure your property won’t get damaged and will be ready once someone does want to buy it
If you have vacant property you want secured, check out the options for window security covers and door guards from DAWGS.
