When it comes to listing your house for sale, one question that often arises is whether to leave the furniture in the house or remove it before putting it on the market. While both options have pros and cons, ultimately, the decision should be based on your specific situation and goals. This blog post will explore the advantages and disadvantages of listing a house with furniture versus an empty house.

Pros of Listing a House with Furniture:

1. Better Staging: Having furniture in a house can help to stage it better. Buyers can better understand how the rooms are laid out and imagine themselves living in the space more easily. It can also help to highlight the potential of the space and show buyers how they can use the different areas of the house.
2. Better Photography: When a house has furniture, it can look more appealing in photographs. Furniture can help break up empty spaces and make the rooms more inviting. This can be especially important for online listings, where buyers often make their initial decision based on the photos.
3. Increased Perceived Value: A furnished house can give the impression of higher value, translating into a higher asking price.

Cons of Listing a House with Furniture:

1. Limited Appeal: The downside of staging a house with furniture is that it may not appeal to all buyers. Some people have specific tastes and may not like the house’s furniture style. This could lead to a smaller pool of potential buyers and potentially a longer time on the market.
2. Limited Space: Furniture takes up space, which can make a room look smaller than it actually is. This can be a problem if the house is already on the smaller side. Additionally, furniture can sometimes make it difficult for buyers to see the potential of the space if they are distracted by the existing furniture.

Pros of Listing an Empty House:

1. Blank Slate: An empty house allows buyers to envision their own furniture and decorations in the space. This can make it easier for buyers to see the potential of the house and imagine themselves living there.
2. Larger Appeal: An empty house has a larger appeal since it does not show any particular style or preference of the homeowner. It’s easier for buyers to project their own style onto the blank slate.
3. Lower Maintenance Costs: An empty house means there is less to maintain during showings. There’s no need to worry about furniture getting damaged or needing to be repaired or replaced.

Cons of Listing an Empty House:

1. Lack of Staging: An empty house can be difficult to visualize, and buyers may have a harder time imagining themselves in the space. It may also be difficult for buyers to understand the home’s layout and the rooms’ flow.
2. Cold and Uninviting: An empty house can feel cold and uninviting, turning off potential buyers. Making a house feel warm and welcoming without furniture can be hard.
3. Can Highlight Flaws: An empty house can also highlight flaws in the space. For example, imperfections in the walls or floors may be more noticeable without furniture to distract the eye.

In conclusion, whether to list a house with furniture or an empty house depends on your specific situation and goals. If you are trying to highlight the potential of the space and increase the perceived value, listing a house with furniture may be the better option. However, an empty house may work better if you want to appeal to a larger pool of buyers.

Ultimately, it is important to decide based on what will best help you reach your goals. What are your thoughts on having a house with furniture or without?