There is a consistent debate among home sellers and realtors alike as to which scenario Vacant or Furnished will bring you higher priced offers? This question is often overlooked by sellers due to the inconvenience of putting off the physical move till after a home sells. After all, individuals want to get their lives back to normal as quickly and conveniently as possible, especially if children are involved.

Are you marketing to the broadest spectrum of buyers? You do not know what kind of buyer will come to your house. Will they be a.) Creative visionary? b) Can t visualize what I can t see? Bottom line is most are the latter, and you need to be prepared for all types.

Most home buyers can t envision what they can t see. It is true; there are buyers that can see through the vacancy , and see the possibilities your house has to offer, but do you want to limit yourself to that small group of potential buyers, especially in such a competitive market place?

This fact is most obviously demonstrated by the fact that new home builders often invest approx 10-20% of the homes value on d cor and furnishing of their models. Would they make this investment if it were not an effective marketing tool?

What is the cost of leaving house vacant? The cost for making the decision to leave a home vacant can result in a lower selling price or a longer time on the market. It is proven that homes that show well are the ones that generate the most market interest from qualified buyers. You want your home to make an emotional connection to the buyer; vacant homes do not usually accomplish this goal.

When homes are vacant, every flaw is apparent. Normal wear and rear are much more evident when there is nothing else to look at. A room that has an odd shape or is lacking in features can look difficult and or boring when they are not furnished. It is difficult to visualize how a space can be used when it is empty. By adding or keeping some furniture in the home, it can feel warm and inviting.

Home furnishings also offer a place for potential buyers to sit and contemplate an offer. They can visualize how their furniture will fit in the space and start to mentally move in .

Who can help? An Accredited Home Staging Professional (ASP ) can help you decide which items should go, and which should stay, to maximize the value and personality of your property. A stager will discuss with you all the possibilities, and then together come up with a game plan that is cost effective, and still leave your house warm and inviting. It is important to get staging advice early. The sooner a staging plan is implemented the more cost effective it is.

Darla Rowley an ASP , Past President of the local IAHSP chapter and Owner of Impact! Interior Design Solutions offers some tips on what to consider when selling a vacant home.

  • Hire a Professional Stager to help you determine what items should stay and go. Moving is an opportunity to edit possessions. Items you would sell for little money can be used for staging to help off set staging investment. A Professional Stager will help you stage your home in the most cost effective manner.

  • Vacant homes can feel cold and/or abandoned Don t be tempted to try to save a few dollars by lowering the temperature, or turning off the water. A buyer may interpret that as poor insulation or worse. It is important to keep a normal temperature. Open up the shades and let the light in!

  • Pride of ownership needs to always be evident. Landscaping and routine junk mail pick up are important, ask a neighbor or family member to make sure routine maintenance items are handled as needed. You do not want house to appear abandoned.

  • The disadvantages when negotiating the sale Believe it or not, some buyers may think that now that you have relocated, you must be desperate to sell, and will often submit a much lower price. o

  • Corporate Transfers You may be able to negotiate with your company to help off set the cost of staging in your relocation offer. After all, if the house sells faster it will cost them less in the long run. Savings could be gained from temporary housing expenses, and carrying costs associated with the house sitting vacant. It doesn t hurt to ask.

Darla Rowley is the Owner and President of Impact Interior Design Solutions. Darla s Knowledge of consumer trends, merchandising and demographic profiles are used to enhance the level of expertise Impactids provides. Impact has been helping sellers in the Detroit metro area successfully stage homes for a quick and profitable sale for over 4 years.

We stage homes to a level which is appropriate to the price, location, and demographics of a specific neighborhood . Services provided include: Consultations, Home Organization services, Move in Decorating, Staging lived in or Vacant homes, and Project Management for updates! Other services can be customized to meet client needs. Please visit our web site to hear what our clients are saying; before and after pictures and company testimonials can be viewed at www.Impactids.com Contact us at 248-761-3320 or email Darla@impactids.com.