How to Stage a Vacant House and Get It Sold!

One of the most challenging positions in which to be is selling and buying a house at the same time. Relocating for any reason may make it more difficult because of possible time restraints. You may find yourself in a position where you have to move before you have sold your house.
 
Statistics have shown that furnished houses sell faster than vacant houses. It is hard for most potential buyers to visualize their families living in a house when it is vacant because there are no focal points to draw them into the rooms. Most buyers need to see where furniture should be placed.

But all is not lost. Fortunately, there is a way to solve this dilemma. You guessed it...Home Staging. There are many ways to make a vacant house more attractive to potential buyers.

• Paint walls a warmer color. If all the walls are white or off-white, chances are the ceilings are also white. This sea of white will make the house appear cold and sterile with no definition of the rooms. Or on the other hand, if the walls are a loud and unappealing color, that is all the buyers will see. If walls are a warmer, neutral color, the house will become appealing to more buyers.

• Rent furnishings and accessories. If you're on a tight budget, just stage the main areas such as the living room, foyer and master bedroom. If you're on an even tighter budget, at least stage with accessories which helps to give the room depth. Bring in color and warmth using items such as greenery, silk trees, candlesticks, vases and towels in the baths.

• Create curb appeal. First impressions are everything and the outside is, of course, what the buyers will see first. Your goal is to get them into the house so it has to look inviting and well-maintained. Again, think of color and how it appeals to the emotions. Plant colorful annuals, re-mulch or re-sod, if necessary, but make it as attractive as possible. The outside is a good indication of how the inside is maintained.

The following are some drawbacks of a vacant house:

• Every flaw will show up because there is nothing else to draw their attention away.
  
  
• No character and warmth
  
  
• Buyers have a hard time visualizing their furniture in the house
  
  
• It is difficult to see a room's potential

Before you put your vacant house on the market, think about what you can do to make it more appealing and inviting to the greatest number of buyers. Putting a little time and effort into staging your vacant house, can pay off in the end.