How to Handle Vacant Homes in Iredell County


Selling your Iredell County home? Get a free home value report
Buying a Iredell County home? Search all homes for sale

We had nice, warm weather during the holidays, but it froze up again! Winter is here, and that could create problems for homeowners, especially if their property vacant. During this time of year, there are a few things you should pay attention to.


  • Make sure your heating system is working. If you need oil or propane, you should be prepared ahead of time and stock up. You need to have enough readily available to keep it going during the cold weather.
  • Set the heat low. The heat doesn’t need to be as strong as it would be if you were living inside of it. However, be aware of not setting it too low! Realtors and prospective buyers will be walking through your vacant property at some point.
  • Leave utilities on. They should function properly and well! For instance, if you have a security system linked to your telephone line, keep the cable on to keep the alarms on!


  • Ensure plumbing is efficient. Everything should be running okay without any surprises. Double and triple check! Additionally, cover your exterior faucets. Maybe use styrofoam covers, even. Prevent pipe bursts.
  • Clean out the gutters. It’s better to do this ahead of time. Avoid excess water from precipitation by tackling this early.
  • Check that windows are shut. Prevent heat loss and save on your power bills.
  • Check the crawl space vents. Consider closing the vents during the winter.

If you have any questions about your vacant or occupied home, reach out to me today! Give me a call or send me an email.

How to Avoid Problems With Estate Properties



Selling your Iredell County home? Get a free home value report
Buying a Iredell County home? Search all homes for sale

Dealing with estate property can be especially difficult, and that's why I'm going to give you some advice on how to handle issues that may arise if you find yourself in a similar situation. 



The very first thing that I recommend that you do is to find an attorney. You'll want to deal with the Clerk of the Superior court in order to probate the will, or the court may need to decide an administrator of the will. Once you have an idea of who will dissolve the estate, you can begin the process.


You need to determine what will happen to the property. Will it be sold? Will it be divided? Often times an estate must be sold to pay off outstanding bills. This isn't always the case, but it does happen.


Your attorney will need to designate the true heirs of the property and divide the estate accordingly. In North Carolina, spouses are involved in the signing of documents when an estate is being transferred, and this can further complicate the situation. 


You will probably need the help of a real estate agent in order to determine the value of the property before it is sold. I also recommend keeping the utilities at the property running. Continuing a home warranty is also a good idea in case something happens while nobody is at the property. 


Trust me, I know how complicated and touchy this situation can be. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you may have. I would love to give you a hand.


I look forward to hearing from you!