Selling empty house should I 'dress' it or leave it empty?

Triker

Hi all, I'm going to put my house on the market soon but it isn't where I live so it is currently standing completely empty? Obviously I would like the best price for it so wondered should I do a bit of dresing up or should I just leave it empty so buyers can use their own imagination. I have very limited funds so would only be able to put in a few bits of furniture that i will have to transport back to the house. Cheers.

scoobiesnacks

Most people don't/can't use their imagination! I've always 'dressed' properties I've sold because people see a lifestyle they can relate to or want to aspire to. It works everytime! You only have to do the minimum. A vase of white lillies always helps

Having said that the market where I am in SE London is so strong at the moment, I don't think it matters a lot. I guess it depends on your market and the amount of demand.

Astaroth

There are some people who prefer to see a property empty but I believe the majority would prefer to see a bed in a bedroom to see how much space there will actually be.... I know some people talk about measuring your furnature and then "laying it out" in an empty room but personally I would fee a bit off laying out my complete living room furnature in a room with the estate agent watching me. Plus whilst this shows the floor space issue sometimes you need the "volume" consideration not just floor space.

clairehi

Tricky one isnt it.

As a viewer, if done well, it does make the house look a lot better to see it furnished with the basiss

the problem is can you justify the spend/hassle/time to do a good job? if you have access to a van and can pick up v cheap furniture eg from auction that can be disguised with throws, it might be doable.

suki1964

You can hire furniture to dress a house - might be worth looking into if you get no interest from viewing it empty. From what ive seen you can hire as little or as much as you need for as short or as long as you need. Might be worth putting beds in bedrooms and a table and chairs in the dining room etc - no need to "over dress"

Gambler

I am currently contemplating going to view a house that is on the market but empty. I've seen it on rightmove a few months back then it sold, so the sale must have fallen through.

£285K is the asking price and no chain, can you get a better deal on an empty house as it must be costing the vendors if they have already moved (i.e. 2 mortgages).

Ems*Honie

Gambler wrote:

I am currently contemplating going to view a house that is on the market but empty. I've seen it on rightmove a few months back then it sold, so the sale must have fallen through.

£285K is the asking price and no chain, can you get a better deal on an empty house as it must be costing the vendors if they have already moved (i.e. 2 mortgages).

It may be they have moved in with someone, or that the person who owned the house has passed on, so it wouldn't signal a discount to me.

I prefer empty houses, but we are viewing with the intention of extending so its easier to see potential. Would be an idea to ensure it was clean through out, ie fresh paint and not musty.

clairehi

we moved out of our house before selling due to a relocation. rent on the new place was paid for by my employer so dont assume vendors will be desperate to sell if they have moved out - although they may be...

Gambler

Ems*Honie wrote:

It may be they have moved in with someone, or that the person who owned the house has passed on, so it wouldn't signal a discount to me

It's a new property, I'd guess less than 5 years old. Large 4 bed detached individually built.

The previous time it was on rightmove was with a different estatge agent and it was still furnished then.

Good point about relocation due to work though.

jockettuk

im going to be in this position in 5 weeks if my house doesnt sell in the meantime.. i spoke to my estate agent abt how i should leave the house.. I'm moving in with the oh and i wont be taking our beds, planned to skip them and wont be taking the dinning room table and chairs, the estate agent said if i wasnt leaving anything in the living room then best not to leave just a bed in the master room and a childs room the other bedroom will be empty..

I cant afford to dress the house so im going to leave a blank canvas for people to see, if a buyer likes the house they will love it with or without furniture in..

Gambler

jockettuk wrote:

I cant afford to dress the house so im going to leave a blank canvas for people to see, if a buyer likes the house they will love it with or without furniture in..

I don't think it makes much difference. When we moved 2 years ago the house we bought was furnished. We didn't like the decor etc and have totally changed it.

It's unrecognisable from when the last people had it. Every room re-decorated in neutral colours. Every carpet replaced with neutral colours.

Carpet in bathroom and ensuite (uughh) replaced with cushionfloor.

All fitted wardrobes ripped out and replaced with stand alone.

Blimey this is making me think how much we have spent on it in 2 years and are unlikely to sell it for more than we paid.