Selling property, whether it’s your own home or a rental property, can be a time-consuming and stressful venture. Sellers are often unsure of the steps to take to prepare their property for the market, so they seek guidance from a real estate agent. This is a good first step, but what many people don’t realize is that the best real estate agents aren’t the ones who try to be experts in every aspect of selling a home. The best real estate agents surround themselves with a team of experts, each of whom specializes in a different area of the sales process.
One member of a “sales team” who is crucial to making sure your home looks its best is a professional Home Stager. Home Staging focuses on preparing properties for sale before they are listed. A Home Stager will showcase your property so that it attracts as many buyers as possible and therefore sells faster and for more money.
Sellers and even real estate agents often make the mistake of listing a vacant property. Many agents see no problem with listing a vacant property because they believe that buyers will be able to visualize their own furniture in the space more easily by not being distracted by the seller’s items. Also, agents and sellers tend to think that an empty property looks bigger. Both ideas are false.
Consider the business of a new home builder. Many of these larger companies will build model homes, or show homes, to pre-sell to buyers. How often do you see a model house without furniture? Normally never. Homebuilders have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on market research and analysis to determine the most effective way to sell a home. They have come to the universal conclusion that a professionally furnished house sells better than a vacant house. This is because people buy houses based on their feelings. When a house is presented in an elegant and functional way, buyers visit the property and feel at home. They can imagine themselves living in the space because it ‘feels’ like a comfortable place to be. On the other hand, a vacant home can often feel cold and lonely.
The same happens with any other property that is marketed, it must appeal to the senses of the buyers. Vacant properties are much more difficult to sell than properties that are ready. Contrary to popular belief, most buyers cannot imagine their own furniture in an empty space and the tendency when standing in an empty space is that prospective buyers will imagine their furniture larger than it really is, which makes them question whether their furniture will fit. Shoppers are more likely to accurately visualize their belongings in a space that incorporates furniture that is presented in a functional arrangement. This provides them with a point of reference to compare the furniture that occupies the property for sale with their own furniture.
An empty property will usually appear smaller than a furnished property. Furniture defines a space. Working with a professional Home Stager who can rent and set up items in a way that makes the most of a space will not only maximize the size of the space, but will also maximize the appeal to buyers. Remember: Buyers aren’t just buying a new property, they’re buying a home and ultimately a desirable lifestyle. What would you rather buy, an empty box or a warm and cozy home?