For the seller, this as a very risky option because I was a fresh college grad working a low income job with student loans to repay.  

Gardening, Utilities, etc.)3) Add #1 and #2, and compare to how much you think you can rent it for. 

As to situations mentioned above, a gift card is dandy, Lowes/HD is good, they will use it.I'd aslo consider something more personal too, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Stake N Ale, Pizza joints or whatever, let them take the family out too!

Disconnect garden hoses from the house to prevent frozen water lines and flooded basements.2.

When tenants don't pay it is very common for them to leave windows open in the winter for fresh air.

Fresh paint in warm neutral colors like greys are popular nowadays.

You may want to regrout the tile for a clean fresh white, which will make the pink and black pop. similar to the pop you get from white semigloss trim/baseboards. 

They would ask the homeowner depending upon the damage if they would rather make a fresh start somewhere else.

Paint lasts a little longer and does look nice when freshly painted, but you can only touch up or even fully paint wood so many times before its going to need to be fully stripped and re painted.

Fresh chinook is 49 a pound at whole foods.. we need to go fishing !!!