I have the option of staging my home (bringing furniture into my home solely for the purpose of making it look like a dream home) OR leaving it completely vacant as I will be moved out of my home when it's on the market.
I would like to hear your responses as if you were house-hunting. Would you rather go into a home that is staged (with someone else's design taste) or would you rather see a future home empty and using your own imagination as to where your things will go?
2006-10-10 17:51:43 · 12 answers · asked by caliorchid 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Maybe this will make a difference in your answer. My home is a townhouse that is less than 1000 sq ft.
2006-10-10 19:05:41 · update #1
I _am_ house-hunting right now, and lean towards your leaving it empty.
My favourite place today had small rooms, and I'm forced to admit that because it's empty, they don't look nearly so small.
I've been turned off to silly extent by places full of furniture I dislike.
'Staged' homes always look a bit weird to me. If I see the everyday what-not of real people, it _can_ be useful -- 'ah, and I suppose we'd keep our (etc) in that spot, too' -- but when I walk into a furnished model home, I'm just irritated by the staging (and often spend too much time looking at what I dislike about it rather than what I like about the house); it's the antithesis of the notion of baking a pie to make things 'homey,'
And, while an actual pie baking would suggest this as well, visibly spending that much to fancy it up would make me wonder how desperate the seller was.
With an empty house, I'm also inclined to think that moving in will be easier. And that things are presented honestly, and that nothing will change -- the beat-up part of the floor isn't being covered with a strategically placed sofa, and said sofa isn't going to dent the wall on its way out.
Even with 'professionally' furnished places, I haven't seen decor I liked in the houses I've looked in. The odds of your/a designer's dream being a house-hunter's are extremely low, I think.
2006-10-11 15:57:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The money you spend on staging won't be recovered by an above-market closing price. I say, leave it empty. The only possible exception I might make would be to leave some sort of table and a couple of chairs in the dining room, so that realtors have a place to sit and write up an offer on the spot, during your open houses. But if the price is right, they'll be happy to do that right on the kitchen counter.
In empty houses, buyers get to see that it's clean. They get to see all the features (and detrimental aspects) of the property, without the distraction of someone else's furniture and design taste. They also get the idea that you're a "motivated seller". This might get them to make an offer, even if it's a low-ball.
Best of luck in your sale.
2006-10-10 23:07:24 · answer #2 · answered by Larry Powers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stage it. My hub and I have been house hunting for future retirement in Washington or Oregon. It's easier for me to imagine how we might use the space and how it might feel to our family if it is "staged". It makes a nice presentation.
Good luck!
2006-10-15 04:32:43 · answer #3 · answered by branchcaptain 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stage- many people don't have idea how to decorate the house, so when they walk to the house with the furniture, that's give them idea how to put their own furniture, plus if they see empty house they will give you the offer with less money assuming that you HAVE TO SELL. house with the furniture look bigger if you stage smart.
2006-10-11 18:51:29 · answer #4 · answered by bianca 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They say.. a fire in the fireplace and the smell of fresh baked cookies... when folks enter... is a magnet for buyers...I like an empty house but i think the public generally likes a place to look and feel and SMELL homey...available and move in ready...
2006-10-10 18:03:51 · answer #5 · answered by red heads ha! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it depends on how much you're prepared to pay [for furniture rental etc.] but a house that looks 'lived in' is much more appealing to prospective buyers. Hope this helps.
2006-10-10 18:07:32 · answer #6 · answered by Neil S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your rooms are small, leave them empty. You dont want to make an already small space seem even smaller with furniture in it.
2006-10-11 08:35:47 · answer #7 · answered by aaron 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on a the state of your home and the market.
At some point of time, I was looking for a fixer-upper and was turned off by extensive renovations and presence of the furniture.
If you are targeting a family as your purchaser, you want to make it look warm and friendly, but do not over-do it.
2006-10-10 17:56:05 · answer #8 · answered by Alex A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stage it. It will make all the difference in the world.
2006-10-10 17:53:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we have been looking at alot of homes lately, i personally like to see them empty. mainly because you can picture how your own stuff will look in the house and not someone elses.
2006-10-11 02:04:24 · answer #10 · answered by ♥mommy of 4♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋