If only selling a home was as easy as listing it on the market. Unfortunately, there are various factors that come into play that determine the likelihood of your home receiving offers and ultimately, the likelihood of it being sold. Whether or not it is furnished is one of those things. Both furnished and unfurnished homes appeal to different target audiences, and you want to be sure that listing your home unfurnished is within your best interest. Here are the pros and cons every seller should consider.
Pro: You Don’t Have to Buy All New Furniture
One of the biggest benefits of selling your home unfurnished is that you don’t have to buy all new belongings for your new house. This can save you an abundance of money in the long run. So, for most home sellers, the thought of having to purchase all new furniture on top of a stressful move is enough to list their home unfurnished.
Con: You Have Additional Storage and Moving Expenses
When you have a house full of belongings, you’ll have to spend time and money moving them. Listing a home furnished means that you only have to pack and move your personal belongings. Listing a home unfurnished means that everything you own has to go with you upon moving day. This can come with additional fees you may not have anticipated within your moving budget. Things such as packing materials, moving truck fees, storage rentals and even gas mileage for a moving truck can all add up and should be factored into your budget.
Pro: Potential Homebuyers Can Picture Their Belongings in The Space
The secret to listing an unfurnished home is to leave it furnished enough that it looks like a home, yet unfurnished enough that potential homebuyers can envision their belongings in the space. So, you’ll want to pack away the majority of your furnishings in a storage unit until moving day. By doing so, you are depersonalizing the space, which can entice the likelihood of your home selling.
Con: You Have to Move All of Your Belongings
Listing your home unfurnished also has its downside. For starters, you have to move all of your belongings from the home. If you are renting a storage unit to keep your furnishings safe until your house sells, you also have to factor in the move to and from the storage unit in between moving dates. It can be a long, tedious process but fortunately, there are options, such as hiring professional movers!
Pro: An Unfurnished Home Attracts Homebuyers Who Want Freedom to Do What They Want
Not all homebuyers want to move into an area that has been decorated and furnished with someone else’s belongings, memories and experiences. Instead, they want a home that can be turned into their own, and by listing your home unfurnished, you’re instantly appealing to these buyers.
Con: Your Current Furnishings May Not Suit Your New Home
There is a chance that your furnishings won’t match the aesthetics of your new home. This is especially true if it’s been a long time since you upgraded your home décor and furniture. As such, bringing old into the new can take away from the experience of having a new place to call your own.
There are pros and cons to listing your home on the market as unfurnished. Whether or not this is the ideal situation for you depends on the specifics. If you intend on purchasing all new furniture in the future, you might as well list your current home as furnished – and at a higher asking price. On the contrary, if you don’t have the budget for new belongings, you’ll want to list your home unfurnished so you don’t arrive at your new home without a chair to sit on.
