Families who enjoy getting away together often decide to purchase a second home as a way to save money on lodging and enjoy a comfortable. stress-free weekend getaway or an annual vacation. But as life goes on and children grow up, conflicting schedules arise and interests often change. This is the point when many families decide that the time has come to sell their vacation home so that another family can enjoy it as they once did. If this situation sounds familiar and you are thinking of selling your family's vacation home this year, here are three tips to help you enjoy a faster, more profitable selling experience. 

Time the listing to the influx of vacationers

The first tip for selling your vacation home is to time the listing so that it is on the market and ready to be shown during peak vacation season in the area. Chances are good that your most likely buyer will be someone who already enjoys vacationing in the area, so targeting your marketing in this direction is an excellent strategy. In addition to signage, placing attractive color brochures in area restaurants, markets, and tourist attractions is a good way to get the attention of these potential buyers.  

Consider making some upgrades

If your family has owned your vacation home for several years and little has been done to update it, you may want to consider making some upgrades prior to listing the home. While vacationers do tend to be more relaxed in their approach to purchasing a vacation home, they still want to feel that they are making a good investment by buying a home that is well maintained and attractive. If you are unsure about the type and scope of upgrades you should consider, ask your real estate listing agent to show you some comparable listings in the area that your home will be competing against. 

Make sure the utilities are on

Another critical factor for marketing a vacation home is to always make sure that it is well lit and comfortable during each showing. This means making sure that all utilities are connected, drapes and blinds are open, and the thermostat is set at temperatures that are very comfortable for the climate. If you are concerned about the costs of electricity and heating and cooling the home while it is on the market, consider using a timer for lights and using energy-saving thermostat settings from late evening through early morning.

To learn more about what you should do to ensure that you enjoy a successful, profitable sale, partner with a real estate agency such as Summit Real Estate.