Vacant Listing? Call America’s Hometenders with Jeannie Hartman
In the latest edition of Feral and Fabulous, we are joined by the fabulous Jeannie Hartman of America’s Hometenders, a long-time friend and expert in the concept of home tending. Known for her lively personality and extensive knowledge in the real estate world, Jeannie sheds light on the unique process of home tending, offering both listing agents and sellers an innovative solution to maintaining and showcasing properties.
Introduction to Home Tending
Home tending is an opportunity for individuals with beautiful furniture to live temporarily in vacant homes, often homes that are up for sale. These home tenders are subcontractors, bringing their furnishings to make a property feel lived-in and appealing for potential buyers. This process benefits listing agents by ensuring the home is always ready for showings, and for sellers, it reduces holding costs as home tenders typically take over utilities, yard maintenance, and pool care.
The Process and Benefits
Jeannie explains that having someone present in the property ensures the home’s security and upkeep, eliminating the risk of doors or windows being left open, or equipment like stoves and ovens accidentally left on. Beyond safety, a furnished home offers a significant aesthetic advantage over a vacant one, and sellers can avoid the high costs associated with staging.
The home tenders themselves also see benefits. They get to live in beautiful homes at significantly reduced management fees while maintaining them in top condition, thus assisting in the home’s sale. Jeannie stresses the importance of selecting the right candidates for home tending, looking for individuals who are meticulous, understanding, and adaptable.
An Inside Look at Home Tending Stories
Throughout the podcast, Jeannie shares various stories that highlight both the challenges and triumphs of home tending. She recounts an incident involving a major rainstorm leading to a ceiling collapse, handled efficiently due to proactive measures and transparent communication with homeowners.
She also tells a thrilling story of thwarting potential crime through home tending, highlighting how following procedures led to police capturing individuals who had been casing the neighborhood, showing the unexpected advantages of their setup.
Ensuring Success in Home Tending
The success of home tending relies on clear guidelines and mutual understanding. Home tenders must maintain their temporary homes in showing condition, are not permitted to discuss the property with guests, and should cheerfully accept all showing requests, ensuring that every detail contributes to an excellent presentation.
Jeannie shares her method for selecting home tenders, emphasizing the importance of background checks and the right personality. By marrying OCD tendencies with a friendly and flexible demeanor, Jeannie ensures that her home tenders deliver nothing short of excellence.
The Joy of Home Tending
For many, home tending is more than just a temporary living arrangement; it provides a sense of accomplishment and pride in helping homeowners sell their properties. Jeannie highlights the joy and satisfaction home tenders feel when they contribute significantly to a home entering a contract.
Behind the Scenes with Jeannie
Beyond home tending, Jeannie is passionate about art and giving back to the community. She volunteers with In Our Arms, an organization that support caregivers, drawing inspiration from her personal experiences and bringing further depth to her professional endeavors. She recently did some illustrations for a book that the head of In Our Arms, Juli Henderson, put together called “Quiet Strength: Inspirational Coloring Book for Caregivers” (it’s an Amazon link).
The episode closes with Jeannie and Kim indulging in dreams of future travels – maybe even a girls’ trip to Italy one day – celebrating the fabulousness inherent in their lives and work.
Jeannie Hartman’s expertise and stories provide valuable insights into the world of home tending, showcasing how this innovative approach benefits everyone involved. To catch more of our lively discussions and fabulous guests, tune in to the next episode of Feral and Fabulous.
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