Why Staging Your Empty Home is Worth Your Time

By Fran Campbell - January 10, 2018

There are any number of reasons why you might decide to sell your home at the Lake of the Ozarks. While you might still be living in your home while it's on the market, other situations may require you to move out before you have found an interested buyer. In these cases, you may discover that you're attempting to sell an empty home. While this is certainly possible, you may discover that you have a harder time finding interested buyers when your home is empty. Here are a few reasons why you might be better off staging your empty home.

Empty Homes Aren't As Inviting
Buyers are looking for a place to call home, and empty houses can seem cold and uninviting. Buying a house is as emotional as it is logical - it's important that you appeal to your buyers on a subconscious level by making the house seem warm and welcoming.

A Staged Home Gives Buyers Inspiration
Have you noticed how today's homes seem to have increasingly creative layouts? This is especially true at the Lake. When the home is empty, buyers may have difficulty visualizing the rooms as they could be used. Staging homes as bedrooms, offices, workout rooms, or even cozy reading nooks can get your buyers' imaginations flowing.

Imperfections Will Stand Out More in an Empty Home
In a furnished home, buyers take in the entire picture - they wander through the rooms, looking at the home's design, the furniture, and the decor. In an empty home, however, the house is the only thing the buyers have to focus on. Without anything else to look at, buyers will be more likely to notice the home's minor imperfections, such as the small crack in the wall or the chip in the baseboard.

Staged Furnishings Can Help Buyers Gauge Available Space
Your number one goal when selling your Lake of the Ozarks home should be to help your buyers envision the space as their own. Without any furniture in it, it may be hard to buyers to judge how large the rooms are. This uncertainty may deter potential buyers who have unusual furniture pieces they plan to bring with them.

Helps to Keep the Potential Buyer Focused on the Home, Not the Reason for Selling
Ideally, home buyers should focus all of their attention on the home and imagining themselves living there. Empty homes are not as common, though, so the buyers may become distracted when they notice the home is devoid of furniture. Instead of focusing on the house, their minds may wander to the reasons your home is empty. Did you get a divorce? Did you have to move suddenly? Staging your empty home will keep your buyers on track.

An Empty Home Can Attract Lower Offers
Finally, having an empty home makes it completely obvious that you no longer live there. While this does not have to be a secret, revealing that the home is vacant may be a disadvantage. Buyers may assume that because you have already moved out, you are more desperate to sell and, consequently, more willing to accept a lower offer. Buyers may offer better prices if they think you have time to be choosy.

Good Luck!
As you prepare to sell your home, Fran Campbell Team wishes you and your family the best of luck! If you would like other suggestions for selling your home or are in need of a Lake of the Ozarks real estate agent to represent you, don't hesitate to reach out to our team. We would be honored to guide you through the process!

Contact the Fran Campbell Team to buy your next home!