Dressing a House when Selling?

jacko74

I have a newly refurbished unoccupied house that I intend to put on the market in a few weeks which is currently unfurnished.

Should I spend money 'dressing' the house with furniture, soft furnishings, etc?... Is it likely to actually add to the value or would it just be a case of probably making more saleable?

The house is in a coastal location popular with tourists and holiday home/holiday let buyers so I'm wondering if 'lifestyle dressing' it rather than leaving it empty and rather austere will appeal to the type of buyers it's likely to attract?

Thank you in advance for any advice and opinions!

greensalad

I wouldn't bother. Most people know what they like and are able to see what the house would look like if they decorated it. If anything being empty is probably better than it being over cluttered.

propertyhunter

No need to decorate. Serious buyers will have the imagination to know what the potential of the house will be once they've added their personal touches to it. 

If its already in a desirable location, it will be in demand - so you'll have no problem selling it. Good luck! 

TBagpuss

It won't add to the value. It may make it easier to sell as it appears more welcoming, and as an awful lot of people can't visualize what it would be like with furniture in.  However it it's in an in-demand area or the sort of place where it's likely to appeal to a landlord then it's probably not worth. it

caprikid1

TBagpuss said:

It won't add to the value. It may make it easier to sell as it appears more welcoming, and as an awful lot of people can't visualize what it would be like with furniture in.  However it it's in an in-demand area or the sort of place where it's likely to appeal to a landlord then it's probably not worth. it

I think it is easier to create a wow sell a dream with dressing a house.

jacko74

Thank you for the replies, I'm inclined to agree that furnishing it wont actually add to the value.

Although when looking on Rightmove the houses in my area that are decorated in very much a cottagey seasidey theme to appeal the holiday home/holiday let market seem to have asking prices that are notably higher than similar houses decorated in a more neutral style... whether those with the twee seaside themes actually achieve a higher sale price I don't really know.

I suppose I need to get the opinions of local agents.

Murphybear

This was very popular a few years ago when it was more of a buyers market.  There were even tv programmes about it, see “the House Doctor”.  

However, it is a sellers market at the moment and judging from the posts on here on how difficult it is to buy a house because of the competition, then you shouldn’t have any problems in selling it as it is.  

Ramouth

If you can furnish it for free from your own house it can help more people to see the potential - particularly if it on the smaller side.  I.e. demonstrating that there is room for two sofas in the living room, a table in the kitchen, double beds in the bedrooms etc.  I wouldn’t bother spending lots of money staging it with lots of seaside theamed bits and bobs though.  Unless you are trying to hide a whole load of unsightly surface mounted electrics like our vendors did!

p00hsticks

jacko74 said:

Thank you for the replies, I'm inclined to agree that furnishing it wont actually add to the value.

Although when looking on Rightmove the houses in my area that are decorated in very much a cottagey seasidey theme to appeal the holiday home/holiday let market seem to have asking prices that are notably higher than similar houses decorated in a more neutral style... whether those with the twee seaside themes actually achieve a higher sale price I don't really know.

From my observations living in what sounds like a similar sort of area, the former are often sold with the furniture and / or future bookings included, which may account for the higher prices ?

Slinky

One thing I would make sure of is that the heating is on when people are viewing. Without furniture it could appear austere, you don't want it feeling cold and dank as well.

We left most of our furniture in our old house and 'camped' in our new house when we lost a buyer (sale and purchase weren't linked). We didn't want our house being empty and cold in January looking like we were desperate for a buyer. We even had a friend house sit for a few days a week.  We got a better price from the new purchaser than the original.

badger09

Only thing I would do, in terms of furniture, is to demonstrate what would fit in eg double bed in smallish bedroom, table & chairs in breakfast area, if its not immediately obvious. Some potential buyers have no ability to visualise, so might need help.

Use any spare furniture you have, or borrow? I've seen 'beds' made out of removals boxes, covered with duvet - not pretty, but makes it clear there is room for one. 

Good luck