Your choice depends on how aggressively you want or need to sell your second home. If you need it sold right away, keeping your home open to potential buyers is your best bet. But if you need the rental income and are not in a particular hurry to sell, consider showing your home around renters.

Should you put a sign in your yard? That's up to you, but if you do decide to, be sure to notify your renters that you're selling your property and reassure them that their stay will go on as planned without interruptions from realtors showing the property or potential buyers roaming the grounds.

Also, do not allow a realtors lockbox to be put on your door. This will present key problems when your renters arrive and could give sneaky realtors the opportunity to show your house, even though you said they couldn't that week. Instead, give a key and your rental calendar to your listing agent or property management company. Have them meet with realtors who'd like to show your home only during times when your property is unoccupied.

Whatever you decide, do not let realtors show your home while you have renters. Besides the fact that it is inconsiderate to your renters-- they're paying you to use your home, not to be interrupted by people looking to buy the place. Also, you can't guarantee the condition of your home when potential buyers arrive. The renters' belongings could be strewn about, dirty dishes in the sink, and mud tracked from porch to kitchen. Make sure that you're in control of what the buyers see when your house in shown.

And most importantly, have a back-up plan ready in case you sell the property with upcoming rentals on the books.

© HomeAway, Inc. 2006

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