As the fall weather settles in, the focus of home buyers begins to shift from outdoor living to indoor spaces — welcoming kitchens, comfortable lounging spaces, cozy fireplaces, serene bedrooms. Because we are still in a sellers’ real estate market locally, we are often asked if it is really necessary to “prepare” homes for sale. Our answer – in a seller or buyer market, is always yes.
First impressions matter. Deep cleaning, decluttering, painting and minor repairs should all be tackled before putting your house on the market. A tidy, organized home allows potential buyers to envision themselves in the space – making the decision easy.
Furnishings can make a house look & feel like home. If the furnishings are tasteful, in good condition and appropriate for a home’s architecture, the spaces feel more welcoming — enticing buyers to stay, forever.
And some buyers might want to do just that. By purchasing a home fully furnished, they save the expense of buying new and the time involved in selecting furniture and waiting for its delivery. First time buyers, those moving from a distant location, or people looking for a vacation home often find fully furnished homes a great option. Luxury high-end homes with custom designed furniture included may help to solidify a sale.
Selling your home fully furnished lets you pack up personal belongings and easily move on to your next adventure! Listing your property as furnished, however, might eliminate some potential buyers who would otherwise be interested in the house and it’s probable you won’t get as much money for the furniture as you spent on it. While there are several ways to go, we generally recommend listing the property with a notation that furnishings are also available.
But what if your furniture is not in great shape or if you love it and are ready to move the pieces to your new home? We suggest staging the house. By creating a “magazine-ready” look, your house will feel like the perfect home for everyday living and entertaining.
The truth is many people lack the imagination to visualize an empty space furnished, and an empty room actually looks smaller than it is. It is difficult to distinguish between a 14’×12’ and a 12’×10’ room. When you add minimal furniture to a room, it looks spacious and is more attractive to potential buyers. It suggests how the space can be utilized, adding conceptual value to the property.
An empty house can seem dull and lifeless, giving an impression that the house has sat stagnant on the market for some time. Also, nothing goes unnoticed, meaning imperfections are seen immediately.
Staging — renting furnishings for a set period of time, is considered a selling cost and can be done without any upfront cost to you. The Compass Concierge program can advance funds to prepare your home for sale, including staging and minor repairs.
Give us a call to discuss how we can maximize the sales price of your home.