Sometimes, selling a vacant home is the best choice, but it all depends on individual circumstances. While most sellers live in their home while it is on the market, some homeowners have the luxury of entertaining a few different options when they sell.
When the seller vacates prior to marketing the home for sale, or while the property is on the market but not sold due to a relocation, they can choose to leave the home fully furnished, partially furnished, or vacant. Depending on the house and property, one may be a better option for some homeowners than another.
As a general rule, you should try and avoid selling an absentee or vacant home if at all possible, but there are some exceptions.
*Overall Home Security
*MOST homes "show" better furnished
*Buyers can envision themselves living at your home more easily.
*Minor cosmetic imperfections or flaws are not easily noticed
*Maintenance and Upkeep
*The buyers will have an example as to how to furnish a difficult room.
*Invitatation to potential break-ins
*Perceived desperation invites lower offers from buyers
*Tendency for some homesellers to forget to maintain the outside of home
*If you turn the electricity off, your home can only be shown during daylight hours
*If you set the thermostat to less than 65 degrees in the winter, it can become uncomfortable for buyers to even view your home for any length of time.
*If you choose to winterize your home instead, it will be VERY cold in the winter, and not inviting to buyers.
If you must take most of your furniture with you, try and leave a few choice pieces behind, or if you have the means, rent some furniture short-term with expert guidance from your Realtor, or a professional stager. If you are on a tight budget, focus on the living room, kitchen and just one bedroom. Additionally, you can purchase pre-owned furniture very cheaply, and it's very easy to find in the local paper or a few local online sources. Going this route can cost much less than renting individual pieces for a few months. Just something to consider.
When a home's furnishings are far from neutral, are in very poor condition, or tattered and dirty, even though it's just furniture, it will detract from the home's marketability. Under these circumstances, and almost exclusively under these circumstances would I ever suggest that selling the home vacant would be a better idea.
If you are experiencing a market or particular condition in your marketplace where there is an influx of buyers who need to purchase and close quickly, a vacant home will give you a distinct advantage.
Proper Staging and Guidelines for Home Showings
Staging the Outside of Your Home
How Much Does it Cost to Stage Your Home
If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.