When listing a home for sale, selling an empty one has several disadvantages over listing a furnished one.

To start with, an empty home presents a sense of abandonment, making it seem less appealing to potential buyers.

Also, when the house is unfurnished, it may be difficult for buyers to gauge the size of each room.

If you’re not comfortable staging a house yourself, it can be an excellent idea to hire a professional staging company to help you stage the home to avoid these issues.

So, is it Better to Sell a House Empty or with Furniture?

You may be wondering whether it is better to sell a house with furniture or without it. After everything I’ve learned the answer is cut and dry for me, definitely furnished. For example, an empty home shows that its owner has moved out, which could leave some people to believe they are paying two mortgages and could therefore be desperate. Also, homes on the market that are Staged show much better than empty ones and are much easier for buyers to separate than ones that are vacant. We will discuss the benefits of staging your house for sale, how furnished homes attract more buyers, whether you should sell a house empty, the advantages of selling a house with furniture, and about creating a negative perception.

Staged Homes are a Sellers Ace in the Hole

Staging your home can be an essential marketing tool because it makes for more appealing photos, that can be used in your listings and all your other marketing efforts.

It can also significantly boost your chances of receiving multiple offers from interested buyers and bring a higher price.

Moreover, staging your home is vital because it helps buyers to envision what the rooms will look like furnished.

Now, staging your home can be challenging, but you can do it.

Proper lighting, cleaning, décor, and color scheme can make a world of difference in the price and speed of your sale.

One important thing to keep in mind is removing clutter and adding neutral colors to rooms when staging a house.

Also, remove bulky furniture and old window treatments. In addition, it is essential to play up the unique features of your house, as these will attract potential buyers.

A recent NAR survey indicates that a home that has been professionally staged can sell for 1 to 10% more than a comparable home without staging.

So, if you just take the halfway point that would be 5%.

This price difference is substantial when you consider the median US home price hovers around $400K, and in New York City alone, the difference can be as much as $50K, just at 5%.

The most significant areas to focus on when staging a home are the primary bedroom, kitchen, and living room.

Although the master bedroom and kitchen are the most crucial areas to stage, some agents stage the unique aspects of the home as well.

Virtual staging is another way to stage the home and increase its chances of a sale.

You can also stage parts of the property that aren’t the main living areas of your house, such as the backyard and garage.

Furnished homes Attract More Buyers

Selling an empty house may not be as visually appealing as a house with furnishings, as potential buyers might be influenced by the layout and condition of the furnishings.

Also, buyers may be unable to gauge the size of rooms without furniture in them.

Nowadays more and more people are choosing to stage the house they have up for sale because they understand the impact furnishings play.

The most significant difference between selling a house with furniture and one that is empty is how potential buyers perceive a room.

It’s hard for buyers to fully gauge how large a room is unless it has furniture in it.

Regardless of the full effect, an empty house can create a poor impression among buyers.

Now, avoid using outdated, mismatched, or bulky furniture, as they will only give an unattractive impression.

Also, another difference between selling a house with furniture and one that is empty of items is the price.

If done right, a house that has furnishings will sell for a higher price than one that is barren, but if you don't have any design sense, don’t worry, you can use professional assistance to stage your house.

Now, while it is possible to sell an empty home, it could have a negative first impression.

Thus, an empty home may hurt its value.

Should you Sell a House Empty

Selling a house empty may not be the most attractive option. An empty house can look smaller than it is.

Also, the absence of furniture can put off some potential buyers because they can't visualize what the house would look like with furniture, and they might not make an offer.

Another thing is that a home with no furniture can seem cold and sterile.

Sometimes an empty house can even give the impression of being abandoned.

So, if you do decide to leave the house empty make sure the property is always well kept, including the lawn and the rest of the property.

The appearance of an abandoned house is not an ideal situation.

Selling a House with Furniture

When selling a house, you should remember that furnishing an empty house is important.

Thankfully, staging an empty house can be easier to accomplish than staging a fully furnished one.

You should use strategic touches throughout your home to emphasize your home's most attractive features.

Then, you can attract more buyers and get your home sold faster.

This is what (Travelers.com) says staging is: “Put simply, staging means preparing the home for a potential buyer — or "setting the stage,"

Now, the pros of selling a house with furnishings are clear.

Having furniture in a vacant house makes the house feel more like a home and will boost its sales price.

Plus, furniture will give your house a magazine-ready look that you may not have otherwise achieved.

When selling a house with furniture, you should focus on its aesthetics and don’t overdo it.

For instance, bulky, mismatched furniture can make a negative first impression and a cluttered home will give a claustrophobic feel and could mask architectural details, which are crucial to prospective buyers.  

Now, staging an empty house can prove to be challenging, but remember many buyers have trouble picturing themselves living in the home if it doesn’t have furniture, and they can't fully appreciate the room's size, layout, and functions if it is empty.

Leaving rooms unfurnished can make a formal dining room appear smaller, thereby undermining your efforts to sell it.

When staging your home, try to avoid niche or personal decor, which can turn some buyers off.

Creating a Negative Perception

When you have a home for sale that appears vacant, you risk creating a negative perception.

Potential buyers might assume that you have moved out and that you are paying two mortgages and are desperate to sell and try to low-ball you.  

Being perceived as eager to sell is never a good thing.

This perception may lead to a buyer believing that they don’t have to pay the full asking price.

In no way is this advantageous.

Finally, the last reason why not to have your house appear vacant is that it can be more likely to attract crime.

So, the Bottom Line is

There are definitely advantages to staging your home before selling it. First of all, it will improve your marketing material (photos) tremendously. Second, it has a greater chance of attracting more offers and a greater price to boot. Third, furnished houses usually create more of a warm and homely feeling for potential buyers. Fourth, all the people viewing the house will have a better reading of the size of the rooms with furniture in them. Finally, houses that are furnished have less of a chance of people thinking they’re vacant or abandoned, especially if you stage the yard as well.