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We are getting our house ready to sell. It is in a semi-hot area for real estate. We have installed new wood and vinyl flooring, painted, and replaced the upstairs carpet. We are planning to paint outside, and replant he front yard. Our furniture is 15 years old and shows it. Would it be better to show the house with the older furniture, or show it empty? Or as close to empty as possible while still living in it.
If you ~can~ move out and show it empty.... then I certainly would. Not only to remove the furniture, but to open up showings on it so it would not require prior notice and appointments by other agents. Makes it easier to show!
One thing that is good to leave though, in an empty home, is a table and chairs, in the kitchen/dining room. If there is no place to sit down in the house, people tend to walk through and leave. If buyers are interested and thinking about the house, they appreciate a place to sit and talk. Let them have that... It's a good thing.
No one cares if your furniture is old an a lot of people have furniture older than 15 years. Furniture helps people see where their furniture can fit and if you have any small bedrooms, unfurnished they will look smaller and people may not be able to envision how a bedroom set will fit in there.
If you ~can~ move out and show it empty.... then I certainly would. Not only to remove the furniture, but to open up showings on it so it would not require prior notice and appointments by other agents. Makes it easier to show!
One thing that is good to leave though, in an empty home, is a table and chairs, in the kitchen/dining room. If there is no place to sit down in the house, people tend to walk through and leave. If buyers are interested and thinking about the house, they appreciate a place to sit and talk. Let them have that... It's a good thing.
Agreed. Also, removing furniture generally makes rooms appear larger.
Dated furniture definitely shows a house bad. Many times people look at old, dingy furniture as "if they couldn't even keep their furniture, are they keeping the house mechanics..." If the furniture looks fine for 15 years, keep it. If it looks like "grandma" furniture, get rid of it.
You can also rent furniture for the listing if you want a more modern look.
Dated furniture definitely shows a house bad. Many times people look at old, dingy furniture as "if they couldn't even keep their furniture, are they keeping the house mechanics..." If the furniture looks fine for 15 years, keep it. If it looks like "grandma" furniture, get rid of it.
You can also rent furniture for the listing if you want a more modern look.
I hadn't thought of renting, that's a good idea. Now if i can find a place that will rent for just one month.
I don't look at or worry about people's furniture because it's not included in the sale. It has no bearing on how the house was taken care of since I have sight and will get an inspector to check out the place and the bank will appraise the property and not the furniture. If you have a million dollar home in a $100K market and have furniture you picked up from the trash I would run.
If I cared what people thought or the RE Agent told me it would be better empty and I didn't have to live there I would consider it.
small furniture = great. big furniture = bad. in a small BR, put the right-sized bed and no other furniture. in a potentially awkward living space (ie, multiple walking paths, windows, fireplace, etc) then you either show it empty or you show it well-staged.
I can not vouch for them but there are "stagers" sp? That will prep your home with furniture and artwork to enhance its appeal. Also some libraries will loan at N/C artwork.
Jim
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