There are many questions that come up when it’s time to sell your home, including if you should move out to sell your home and take your belongings with you, or if you should stage your home before listing. Let’s take a look at staging a house or selling it empty.
Is It Better to Stage a House or Sell It Empty?
We have to say right away, a nicely staged home definitely tends to sell easier, faster, and for more money. Home buyers can get a better feel for what a home can provide them and can picture themselves living there.
When a family steps into your house for sale, they will get an impression of your home in regards to livability, comfort, style, size, and if – or how much – work needs to be done to get it up to their standards or taste. Looking around a home that has been tastefully staged creates a pleasant feel and quickly becomes more appealing to buyers than a home that is listed to sell while empty.
Is Staging an Empty House Worth It?
Selling a home staged is definitely worth it if you can make it happen. It can involve more work initially, but staged homes tend to sell faster and for more than an empty home. A staged home has a friendlier, more inviting feel than an empty unfurnished house, too.
- Furniture If you need to move before you sell your home, can you leave a variety of furniture pieces to stage and present your home nicely? It can pay off, in the end, to live without some of your furniture and decor for a few weeks or months.
- Wall Hangings Do you have paintings or prints you can leave on your walls to give a pleasing impression in your home? Staging with furniture is great, but adding a number of non-personal wall hangings can add a stylish look to your space.
- Rugs and Linens Keeping your home as if it is lived in, but greatly pared down, is a good direction for your home staging. Keeping rugs under dining room tables, at entrances, and towels in bathrooms and kitchens can also give a splash of color when displayed attractively, and give the home a lived-in but not cluttered look.
- Accessories Do you have some simple, neutral accessories you can stage your home with? Pretty pillows, unused candles, mirrors, artificial plants, and indoor trees can all give your home fresh color and make the space look clean, contemporary, and attractive to buyers.
Are There Disadvantages to Home Staging?
Staging your home isn’t always the easiest task when you already have a full list of tasks to sell your home, buy your new home, and move. But think, it could sell your current home sooner and you can settle into your new place faster.
It’s true, leaving some of your main belongings behind if you must move before selling can be cumbersome. But if you can lease some pieces for staging, it can definitely be worth the investment to, in turn, sell more quickly and maybe even for more than you are asking!
With all things considered, staging your home for sale is a simple way to make your home stand out from the competition and attract more offers.
Working with an Experienced Memphis Area Real Estate Agent
When it’s time to sell your existing home or buy a great new place, turn to a highly regarded and well-informed local real estate agent. You want someone that you can trust to give you the best advice and know-how for your new home purchase or sale. Check out my other great articles to help you through your home selling and buying experience here in Memphis. Staging homes for sale is also part of my expertise. Please ask me about it when you reach out.
Take a minute to learn more about me. With over 15 years of top-notch service for my clients, I can guide you with your house sale, new home purchase, or buying a great parcel of land. As a top, licensed real estate agent in the Memphis area, showing you the best properties for you and your family is my goal!
Contact me at (901) 828-8919 or drop me a quick note at angie@angiekelley.com and we can speak in person about your plans and options. Ask me about seeing homes for sale by video or virtual tour and find the best place for you!
Angie Kelley, Crye-Leike Realtors
(901) 828-8919 or (901) 756-8900
