Selling A Vacant Home

Dear Phyllis,
We plan on selling our home with the agent who sold it to us. After meeting with him we worked out most of the details and decided we prefer to move first rather than sell while living in the home. He suggested that we pay to have the home professionally staged for us to sell for the highest price. I have several concerns about staging. Of course, one is that I don’t know that it is worth the expense. And of greater concern is security. Several years ago, one of our neighbors had their vacant home on the market and it was broken into and some of the staging stolen. Over the years, crime has increased in the Foothills and I just don’t want our vacant home to become a target. What are your thoughts when selling a vacant home? Downsizing

Dear Downsizing,
Home staging is very important when rooms are small, or the floorplan is confusing. Selling a vacant home is completely different from selling one that is occupied. A vacant home can attract unwanted attention. When I list a vacant home, I assess the situation, the neighborhood, and the neighbors. Sometimes I don’t even place a “For Sale” sign because that may draw unwanted attention to the home.

Have you heard of virtual staging? Virtual furnishings and accessories are added to the property photos. This enables potential buyers to visualize their future home and is proven to significantly boost property appeal.  In addition to not creating a target for thieves, it’s less expensive, faster and less invasive than traditional home staging.

Keep in mind that your buyer’s first showing is online. You want to get them in the door. Will they be shocked when they see your vacant home? Maybe, but many times, I have had professional photographs taken of a listing and then the seller moved, leaving the home vacant. Your buyer’s first impression and most memorable impression was that of your virtually staged home. Discuss this option with our real estate agent. Best of luck on a successful sale!