The home selling process can be overwhelming, even when everything goes as planned, but what happens if you have to sell your home after you’ve already moved out? Deciding whether to show and sell the home furnished versus unfurnished is a topic that many experts are divided on. Weighing the pros and cons of each option and considering your situation are crucial steps in deciding the best course of action.
In this blog, we’ll explore how selling a furnished home compares to selling a vacant one, including insights on how each affects the buyer’s experience during open houses.
The Importance of First Impressions During Open Houses
Open houses provide the first opportunity for prospective buyers to truly connect with a property. First impressions can set the tone for the entire buying experience, and how the home is presented—whether furnished or vacant—can influence the emotional connection buyers feel.
Staging your home, either with your own furniture or with rented pieces, plays a big role in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. On the other hand, some buyers may appreciate the open, blank canvas of a vacant home to better imagine how they’d personalize the space.
Understanding buyer psychology is key, and each approach has its advantages and drawbacks.
Pros & Cons: Furnished vs. Unfurnished
Since your personal preferences and circumstances are going to come into play, our team has outlined outline the pros and cons of each option, along with some of the best advice from our experts.
Pros of Selling Furnished
- Helps Buyers Visualize the Space: Seeing how each room can be utilized helps potential buyers imagine themselves living in the home. Well-placed furniture can showcase the functionality of awkward or small spaces, helping buyers understand how they could set up their own furniture. This makes the house feel more like a home they can see themselves living in
- Hides Minor Imperfections: A strategically placed couch or rug can cover minor scratches or dents, preventing them from being the focus during a walkthrough.
- Enhances Aesthetic Appeal: With good staging, a furnished home can leave a lasting impression on those looking to buy a home. Beautifully styled spaces help highlight the home’s best features and make the property feel more inviting.
- Leaves a Memorable Impression: A furnished home tends to feel more like a lived-in space rather than just an empty structure. This can create a more emotional attachment to the home, which can influence a buyer’s decision-making process.
Cons of Selling Furnished
- Inconvenience of Moving Twice: If you’ve already moved out, leaving furniture behind to stage the home can add logistical challenges. You may need to return later to move everything out before the sale is finalized.
- Potentially Outdated Style: If the furniture is too niche or very outdated, it may clash with the buyer’s aesthetic taste, making it harder for them to imagine themselves living in the space.
- Over-Furnishing Can Hurt Perception: Too much furniture can make a room feel cramped, and in smaller spaces, it can give the illusion that the home is smaller than it actually is. Following staging tips, such as using minimal pieces and lighter colors, can prevent this issue.
Pros of Selling Unfurnished
- A Blank Canvas for Buyers: Without furniture, buyers can visualize their own belongings and decor in the space. This often appeals to creative buyers who have a clear vision of how they want their future home to look.
- Easier for Last Minute Showings: With no furniture to work around, REALTORS® can show the home at a moment’s notice. This flexibility can increase the number of potential buyers who view the home, speeding up the selling process.
- No Additional Moving Hassles: Your moving day has already come and gone, so once the house sells, you’re done! Selling an unfurnished home means there’s no need to return to move out staged furniture.
Cons of Selling Unfurnished
- Can Feel Cold and Lifeless: A completely empty house can lack the coziness and warmth buyers might be looking for. It may be harder for some buyers to connect emotionally with the property, especially if the home feels stark or uninviting during the walkthrough.
- Difficulty Visualizing: Not all buyers have an eye for design or furniture placement, and some may struggle to imagine their belongings in an empty room. Without visual cues, it can be harder for them to understand the layout or dimensions of the space.
- Perception of Desperation: An unfurnished home may give the impression that the sellers are in a hurry to sell. While this isn’t always the case, buyers may make lower offers if they feel the sellers are desperate to close quickly.
Still Unsure? Consider Professional Staging Services
If you’re torn between selling your home furnished or unfurnished, hiring a professional staging service can give you the best of both worlds. A professional stager can bring in neutral, modern furniture and accessories that appeal to a wide audience. This option allows your home to appear furnished without the hassle of moving your own belongings twice.
Staging professionals know how to highlight your home’s strengths and downplay its weaknesses. For example, if you have an oddly shaped living room, a stager can arrange the furniture to show how it could be a comfortable, functional space.
The Impact of Listing Photos
Aside from open houses and showings, another important factor to consider is how the home will look in listing photos. The majority of buyers start their home search online, and high-quality listing photos are key to drawing interest. Furnished homes, especially ones that are well-staged, often photograph better than empty ones. Beautifully furnished rooms can make your property stand out in a sea of online listings, increasing the likelihood of buyers scheduling a showing.
On the other hand, an empty home might work well for buyers who are specifically searching for investment properties or fixer-uppers. It can indicate that the home is ready for immediate move-in or renovation, depending on the type of buyers you’re targeting.
For Any Home Selling Guidance, I am Here to Help!
Ultimately, the decision to sell your home vacant or furnished really depends on your situation and preferences. Are you looking to appeal to a specific type of buyer? Do you have the time and resources to stage the home after you move out? Or would you prefer to show the home as a blank canvas, allowing buyers to imagine it as their own?
If you’re unsure, relying on the expertise of your knowledgeable REALTOR® can help you make the right choice. As an agent with Lamacchia Realty, I can help you assess your property’s value and recommend the best course of action to make the most impact during open houses and showings.
Whether you choose to sell your home furnished, unfurnished, or professionally staged, the goal is the same: to help buyers fall in love with the space and imagine it as their future home!