You want your house sale to go fast and smoothly. And this is more likely when it’s attractive to potential buyers.
If you’re selling an empty house, it’s natural to have a few questions.
You might be unsure whether buyers will be interested in this.
We’ve answered all your questions below.
Is it best to empty a house before selling?
It depends. Often, it can make life easier for everyone involved.
However, in other situations, estate agents may warn against it.
Your viewers have a blank canvas when your property is empty. This allows them to picture what life would be like living there.
You need to stage your home well. If it’s cluttered with junk or items they don’t like, it can count against you.
You can also repaint it to lighten its interior and tidy its garden.
What causes a house to be sold empty?
Relocation
Many houses are empty when on sale because the owner takes their belongings to a new property.
As a result, they’ll leave their previous properties empty until they are sold.
Inheritance
A house is often empty when it’s been inherited.
Everything belonging to the previous inhabitant may have been removed.
No one is currently living there, so the property remains empty.
New properties
New build properties are often vacant at the point of sale.
But, they may still have a ‘show home’ to interest potential buyers.
Investment properties
Some homes are purchased as investments for buy-to-let.
So, once a tenant leaves, the property may remain empty, especially if the owner waits for the market to improve before selling.
Repossessions
Homes that banks have repossessed are often left empty. This is until they are sold at auction or through estate agents.
Do empty properties sell for less?
It depends on the market, and how your sale is approached. Staging is an important factor.
Buyers might view an empty property as a sign that the seller is desperate to sell fast.
This could lead to lower offers. Also, an empty property can appear less maintained or cared for.
What’s important is managing how the buyer views the reason for an empty property.
If the seller shows desperation, the offers will be lower. It’s up to the seller how the property is presented.
In a high-demand area, an empty house is unlikely to impact its value in either direction.
People are moving there for the local amenities, as much as the property.
When your house has many expensive items, these can be used as negotiation tools.
If a viewer likes one of the things, you can include it in the sale, to get a higher price. This is a technique you can’t use with an empty house.
Advantages of selling an empty house
It is more straightforward to visualise a future home
An empty house allows potential buyers to imagine themselves living there. It avoids the distraction of the seller’s taste.
Highlights the property’s features
Items like paintings and curtains can sometimes cover up distinct features. This could include hardwood floors or a spacious high-ceiling wall.
Buyers can better appreciate the space without furniture and personal belongings, especially the layout and architecture.
Simplifies the moving process
Selling an empty property means a more straightforward and faster moving process.
There won’t be delays in getting things packed and moved. And viewings can be coordinated at any time.
Appeal to investors
Empty properties can appeal more to investors and developers.
They usually look for properties that they can renovate or rent out. They can start any work with an empty property as soon as possible.
Disadvantages of Selling an Empty House
Lack of emotional connection
Furnishings and decor make a property feel like a home. Without them, it’s an empty space.
Yet, buyers buy based on emotion, so a homely feel is essential.
An empty property can feel cold and impersonal, making it harder for buyers to form a connection.
This is an issue if your buyer is comparing your property against others.
Flaws become more evident
There’s no hiding place in an empty house. You can’t strategically position furniture to hide things.
For example, if a child has scribbled on the wall, you can’t hide this.
Difficulty in judging size
Empty rooms can sometimes appear smaller than they are.
This is because there’s no furniture for scale. This can lead to buyers underestimating the space available.
How do you dress an empty property for sale?
Minimal furnishing
When staging a property, please don’t overdo it with the furniture. Less is more.
Add key pieces of furniture to define the space and provide a sense of scale.
This could include a sofa in the living room, a dining table, and a bed in the master bedroom.
Neutral decor
Use neutral colours and simple decor to appeal to a wide range of tastes.
This will help ensure that the property feels welcoming but not too personalised.
Highlight key features
Use staging to draw attention to the property’s best features. Examples include a fireplace, bay windows, or a spacious kitchen.
Good lighting
Ensure each room is well-lit. Do this either with natural light or lamps and light fixtures. This creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Take great pictures
Most buyers will find your property through an online search. This means they will be paying a close look at photos.
So, you may only need to stage the property for the pictures. And when buyers view your house, the emptiness may not matter.
