Unfortunately, a home which looked "lived-in" when furnished and occupied may look bare and blemished when empty. But the good news is that selling a vacant home isn't an impossible task, especially if you follow these pointers:

Remember First Impressions

   Regardless of whether your home is vacant or not, its appeal from the street is crucial in making a positive impact with potential buyers. Paint or fix up the front entrance as required.  If you have a lawn, keep it mowed. Hire a neighborhood teen or local landscape service to keep it maintained.  Ask a neighbor to water for you. This is especially crucial during the dry season.

Spruce Up Landscaping

   Before you vacate your home plant some new shrubs, lay down some fresh ground cover or brighten it up with some colorful new flowers.

Paint, Paint and More Paint

   Go through every room of your house, paintbrush in hand, and touch up any walls that have been scuffed or marked up.  After moving furniture out, you're sure to find a slew of such marks.  Walls painted in bold, bright colors are wonderful attention-getters when complemented by furniture, rugs, and accessories. However, in an empty room, these bold colors may put Buyers off. Consider painting neutral colors throughout the house.

Clean Thoroughly

   Clean your house thoroughly in every nook and cranny -- including windows and fireplaces -- before you let potential Buyers look at it.  Get carpets professionally cleaned once everything has been moved out.  If the floors aren't taken care of, the prospective home Buyer may wonder, what else isn't?

Leave Some Furniture

   If at all possible, try to leave some furniture in the house. This will give prospective Buyers a sense of size and proportion -- and a place to sit down.  Empty rooms tend to look smaller than they actually are.

Take Some Precautions

   Don't set your deserted house up for potential break-ins. You may want to invest in exterior sensor lights that automatically turn on when it gets dark and turn off at sunrise.  If you have a security alarm, use it -- just be sure you leave your entrance code with your real estate broker.  Be sure you review the provisions of your homeowners insurance. Many companies have a cap on how long coverage will last while the property is vacant.

   As you prepare a vacant home for sale, also consider this idea: Some Buyers like the flexibility that comes with buying a vacant house. They can move in as soon or as late as they'd like, and they don't have to worry about floors getting soiled and walls getting banged up when they move in.