Selling your Home Vacant or Furnished?

There is ongoing debate among home sellers and realtors alike as to which scenario--vacant or furnished will bring sellers higher priced offers on their homes?  This issue is often overlooked by sellers because of the inconvenience of putting off the physical move until after a home is sold. After all, sellers want to get their lives back to “normal” as quickly and conveniently as possible, particularly when children are involved.   

Marketing to the broadest spectrum of buyers 

While some buyers may have the ability to visualize how a home will look furnished, buyers can’t envision what they can’t see.  It is true; there are buyers that can see through the “vacancy”, and see the possibilities your house has to offer, but do you want to limit yourself to that small group of potential buyers, especially in such a competitive market place?

This fact is most clearly illustrated by the fact that home builders often invest an incremental 10-20% of the home’s price on furnishing and decorating their models. Clearly, a well-furnished home is an effective marketing tool.

The cost of leaving house vacant

The “price” of leaving a home vacant can be a lower selling price or a longer time on the market.  Homes that show well are the ones that generate the most market interest from qualified buyers. You want your home to make an emotional connection with the buyer; vacant homes rarely accomplish this goal.

When homes are vacant, every flaw is apparent. Normal wear and tear is much more evident when there is nothing else to look at. Featureless or oddly-shaped rooms can look “difficult” and or “boring” when they are not furnished.  It is difficult to visualize how a space can be used when it is empty. Adding or keeping some furniture in the home can make it feel warm and inviting.

Who can help?

Staging by an Accredited Home Staging Professional™ (ASP™) can help you maximize your home’s appeal.  By helping you decide which décor and furnishing items should stay and which should go to present your home in the best possible light.  A stager will discuss with you all the possibilities, and come up with a cost effective plan that will leave your house warm and inviting. 

Darla Rowley an ASP™, president of the local IAHSP™ chapter and owner of Impact! Interior Design Solutions offers some tips on what to consider when selling a vacant home.

• Use What You Already Have – Homeowners often use moving as an opportunity to edit possessions by having garage or moving sales. However, items you would sell for little money can be used for staging to help off-set staging investment.  A Professional ASP will help you select items you already own to help you stage your home in the most cost effective manner.
• Penny-wise/Pound Foolish - Don’t be tempted to try to save a few dollars by dialing back the thermostat when the home is empty.  A buyer may think a cold house as is caused by poor insulation--or worse. It is important to keep a normal temperature in the home while it is being shown.
• Make Pride of ownership evident - Landscaping and routine junk mail pick up are important, ask a neighbor or family member to make sure routine maintenance items are handled as needed.
• Empty Home, Desperate Seller? - A vacant home can give sellers a distinct disadvantage when negotiating a sale.  Believe it or not, some buyers may think that, because the sellers have already relocated, they must be desperate to sell and will often submit a much lower price.
• Corporate Transfers - Transferees may be able to negotiate with their company to help off-set the cost of staging when formulating a relocation offer.  After all, if the house sells faster it will cost the company less in the long run, by reducing temporary housing expenses, and carrying costs associated with the house sitting vacant.  It doesn’t hurt to ask.

For more information on staging, and preparing your home for resale, contact Impact Interior Design Solutions @ 248-761-3320, or visit the web site to learn more www.impactids.com.