How to make an empty home feel homely when trying to sell
Trying to sell an empty property? Read this article for our top tips on how to set the scene and make it feel inviting for viewers.
There are plenty of blog post articles online about how to make your home inviting for viewing appointments and how to display decorative items just so for the photography to set the scene by using things from around your house to show the lifestyle of living in your property, or fresh flowers to make things look pretty and lit candles for an added ambience.
This is all wonderful, and it really does work to set the tone of your property for viewings, but what if your property is empty?
What if you've already moved out, and there is nothing in the house? How can you stage a coffee pot and mugs on a tray on the end of the bed surrounded by plumped-up cushions and thick woollen blankets if there is no bed in the room in the first place?
Are you just destined to sell your property at a disadvantage? Will you get less money because you can't stage the furniture nicely? Will it perhaps take you longer to sell if there is no furniture?
There are ways around this issue. You could hire furniture for the time that the property is on the market. Of course, there is a cost implication involved here, and it can be time-consuming to move furniture in to only have to move it back out again a few months later. A property will look a little odd if there is just a bed and a sofa, so you are looking at bed linen to dress appropriately, curtains or blinds, artwork and decorative ornaments. It is a huge undertaking and will probably cost a pretty penny, so it is unlikely to be your first choice.
You could move back in. Although there is likely to be a good reason that you have a house sitting empty, you most likely won't want to move back into it just to get a sale. So, that is not a realistic option.
You may be thinking that this is a lost cause, but there are a few things that you can do to stop the house from feeling unloved and bare.
Leave the heating on low. Not only is it a great idea to prevent your pipes from freezing when the temperature really drops, but keeping the heating on will keep the house feeling loved and welcoming. It is challenging to imagine yourself getting cosy in front of the TV in your new house when it's colder inside than outside. Make it easy for your viewers to feel they could live in your property by keeping the temperature inside toasty.
Keep the windows dressed - Windows without any dressing, curtains or blinds feel austere. You don't have to keep your curtains up, but make sure there are some curtains at the windows. This will stop the emptiness of the property from being so palpable and also helps from a security aspect because you can have the curtains closed when there are no viewings. Simply ask your agent to arrive at viewings a few minutes early (they probably will do anyway) so the curtains and blinds can all be opened before the viewers come.
Light the way - A bare bulb swinging on a plastic pendant is not attractive and will not help the viewers feel welcome in your house. Make sure that all pendant lights have shades. They don't have to cost the earth and can be plain and simple, but you must cover the bulb.
Say no to junk mail - Get rid of all junk mail before the viewers arrive. Climbing over a mountain of pizza shop leaflets is not a welcoming first impression.
Gardens - Don't let the gardens grow out of control. Just because the property is not lived in doesn't mean the grass will stop growing. Arrange for a gardener to keep on top of the outside areas if you can't do it yourself. In particular, the front of the property will give a poor first impression if the gardens are unkempt and unloved. The viewers will have a hard time envisioning themselves enjoying a summer afternoon in the garden as it is during winter, so make sure you do everything you can to help them see how great the space is during those warmer months.
It is not always possible to live in a property whilst you are trying to sell it or leave it fully furnished, but following these quick tips will ensure that the property is not cold, unloved and unwelcoming while you are doing so.
For more information about how we can help you sell your property, whether you are living there or not, get in touch with our team of property professionals today.