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
Read another home staging article...
Get your Asking Price – or More
If you are thinking about putting your house on the market now and hope
to sell, move and get settled as quickly as possible - home owners take
note. The average buyer has little imagination when it comes to
projecting themselves into a resale home.
