Empty Home

 Is it easier to sell an empty home or still have your furnishing in the home (granted you follow the criteria outlined in other forums)?

Thank you

Most definitely keep furnishings (if appropriate in scale and condition) in a house over leaving it empty!

Vacant properties are very difficult to sell and estimates are that 80% of buyers cannot see past the emptiness and visualize their things in place. That essentially translates to losing 8 out of 10 buyers! From low ball offers ("sellers must be desperate!") to questions about the upkeep and condition of the home, vacant properties are a hard sell especially in today's market.

It is easier to sell a furnished house.  It is important to either use your furniture and accessories or rented furniture and accessories to show the buyer how they are to live in their new home.  With that said, it is even more important to showcase the house with furniture and accessories that are appropriate for the house.  You don't want your home to be remembered as the house with the broken chair or the ugly brown couch.

Remember what Karen said, 80% of buyers out there cannot visualize their belongings in a space without being shown an example.  This is your opportunity to showcase your house in its best possible light.  By using furniture and accessories in the space, you direct the buyer to view the attributes (the fireplace...the view of the pool from the living room window) and the scale of their new home.  This is your chance to speak to the buyer about how they will love living in the property.

You may decide that some of your things need to go ahead and move with you - in that case, you can choose what can stay at the property and rely on rentals or consignment store/clearance center purchases to supplement your furniture needs.

Best of luck in selling your property!

Barie

UpSTAGE the Competition...Prepare to Sell!