Should I sell my house with my furniture in it and decorated nicely, or move-in ready?

Question

I am not using a realtor, so I don't have anyone to give me advice. I have the option of moving all my stuff out if I need to.

I think I need to re-word that. When showing my house to prospective buyers, should I have my furniture in it, or is it more preferable to show it completely empty?

Answer 1

A home looks more welcoming and warmer when it is shown furnished, HOWEVER, it is vital that it is done properly. You might want to dig up a copy of Parade Mag. from this past Sunday's L.A. Times as it has some valuable tips in it about how to show your home.

Answer 2

It is okay to show a house without furniture in it, however, there is a better chance of selling it furnished so that the buyer can get ideas of how to set up there new house. However, you don't want the house to look cluttered or too full so maybe (depending on how much furniture you own), you could move some to your new house and leave some for viewing. Another option would be to take pictures with the furniture in it to post on the real estate website and show it empty. This way they can still envision what it would look like with furniture in it and you have your furniture to use. It really depends on what you want to do and what would make it easiest for you. Good luck and enjoy your new house!!

Answer 3

To be honest if you have a washer/dryer, frig and carpeting included in the price, that is all most people need but once you find buyers give them the option to purchase the furniture and just add it to the price of the house.
Most people have some furniture but if your stuff is nice they might want to have it.. each buyer will be different in that regard.
I think when we move next time we will sell most of the furniture and buy new at the next destination it will save on moving fees that is for sure!
We looked at both when we were buying and we bought a house that had been empty for a year. Furnished can be nice to get a feel of arrangements if you want to continue to live there you should keep it furnished but uncluttered. If you allready have another place leave it empty but clean.

Answer 4

you should be using a Realtor...but chances are the person that will buy your home has there own or may not like your furniture.. you can always leave the option open with whom ever your negotiating with. How ever you really should consider the use of a realtor.
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Answer 5

Chances are, the new homeowner will have their own furniture.

Just a tip -- hire a real estate agent. Granted you have to pay them commission, but they do earn their money. Or the buying realtor takes that commission your selling agent would get anyways (cause they have double the paperwork).

Good Luck!

Ok, now that you have reworded it, show your house with furniture in it. It shows the perspective buyer what will fit into the room. Just make sure that you don't have too much furniture. Get a friend to come over and help you 'stage'. A fresh set of eyes will do wonders.

Answer 6

If you sell the furniture you would have to find the person who likes your taste. If you are leasing, then you could offer a furniture option if you lease as a corporate apt.
In short, don't offer the furniture, unless they need it. When you are showing the house, make sure everthing is clean and immaculate. Make sure you have a soft citrus scent in the kitchen. Make sure you have fresh flowers in several rooms.
Make sure you have removed the clutter from the house, and hopefully you don't have too much furniture (So they can envision their furniture in the room). Dust, Dust, Dust!
Unfortunately white walls sell the best. Usually because your style is different than that of your buyers.

Look at your place with a critical eye (wallpaper is a turn off, make sure cabinet hardware is tasteful and matches (no gold with stainless appliances). You want the buyer to think they have to do little to make it livable. If you have bookcases make sure you only have books on about 10-20% of them, redo them to use them as a showcase for a vase or other items.

Answer 7

I think that it all depends on how u came to collect your furniture. If there is no attachemnt to it then yes you can and start brand new in your new place. But if you have had like a few pieces that are from family members or if you accumulated a piece with a great bargin then keep it. What i do is when i move I keep at least one piece of furniture from the last place. Bc i alway smove into a bigger better home (god willing and i am so blessed) I nvr want to forget where i came from...it too could depend on your style if you are looking to get a new style then sell it..hell burn it...just be comfortable with the decision that u make

Answer 8

If you think your furniture will go with your new place and it's worth the expense of moving it, then take it with you. If not, you can use the extra cash from the sale to buy furniture that does look good in your new pad.

Houses sell best if staged. During the selling process, definitely leave the furniture behind.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Leave everything in place. People will look more at the furniture than at the house when touring it. Anyway many times the old furniture will not fit in a new home, specially if the new home is more modern or smaller. Good luck!

Answer 10

Don't overdo the furniture and decoration. But it can be more appealing to the buyer if there is already several pieces of furniture to show the potential of each room. :) Hope this helps.