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An Empty House

There are two schools of thought about whether it is better to show a house empty or with the furnishings in it. An empty house is like a blank canvas, and prospective buyers can more easily imagine what their things would look like in it. But buyers could take the fact that the house is vacant as a sign that the sellers are very anxious to sell and, therefore, might entertain a low offer.

Our recommendations are usually based on how the house would look. Personal taste is highly subjective. Unless your furniture looks really wonderful and is neutral in color and conservative in style, it could distract buyers from the most attractive qualities of your home. The fact that your home is vacant could give it a competitive edge when they make their final selection. Will it attract low offers? It might, but if the price is right, it will attract reasonable offers, too.

Posted by Justin Pintler ABR, CNE on 05/12/2007 12:38 AM

Comments (4)

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4 Comments on An Empty House

So true, this is the most pragmatic post I have seen yet about staging vs. empty. Thanks.

05/12/2007 12:52 AM

by Gene Dexter, Seattle Realtor (RE/MAX Integrity)

It is really hard to tell someone that their furniture makes the home look worse! Got to say that I see it all of the time.

05/12/2007 01:03 AM

by Sandra Williams (Rancon Real Estate)

Staging a house is definitely an art -

I read a good post on staging statistics and it sounded convincing - yours has some good points too.

It is hard to tell if you actually save in the long run after spending the time, energy, and money to stage. You can't really go back and do it again to compare what would have happened.

05/12/2007 02:38 AM

by Abraham Chaffin - Cambria Real Estate (Sand Shell Realty)

I have always found that a "blank canvas" is not the optimal way to go. At the very least, most buyers need a few furnishings in a home to give the space a context that they can relate to. In some vacant homes I have shown, I have actually had some clients ask out loud, "What the heck would you use THIS room for?"

05/12/2007 04:50 AM

by Robert Whitelaw, Broker, CEO, Realtor®, ePro (Whitelaw & Sons Real Estate Services)

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