SELLING VACANT HOMES

The dilemmas you face when listing a vacant home are different from a home where your client is still living. Where the occupied home may feel too lived in and cluttered, the empty home may feel cold and uninviting, thus leaving the potential buyer feeling empty when they leave. In order for a vacant home to beckon that buyer to make it their own you should Stage the home. Staging is simply that! "Setting a stage" so you are accentuating the positive features of the home, while downplaying any negatives.

Picture an empty stage in a theatre. There is nothing that feels warm or inviting there, however, on opening night the curtains are opened and the stage has been transformed into a beautiful setting. The audience is awed at how "real" it looks. Your vacant home is the STAGE. Your buyer is the AUDIENCE. The front door is the CURTAIN. Open that door and give your audience an experience they will want to come back to.

A vacant home may have a floor plan that needs some defining. A buyer may be wondering if this is a dining room or a living room. Placing a table under the chandelier will show the buyer the purpose of the space. Give them ideas on how they can use a room. With the addition of home offices in almost every family there may be a small bedroom or area that could be used as an office. Placing a desk and chair in this area will show the buyer this option. Sometimes when a room is empty it's difficult to imagine how furniture will affect the space. By placing a bed in a master bedroom, a buyer can visualize if their furniture will fit and if there will be any extra space for a chair or television. Buyers cannot see what isn't there. The visual experience is the best way to bring them back for a second look and possibly an offer on a home.

Consider hiring a Real Estate Stager to help coordinate the rental of furniture and accessorizing a vacant home. A home can be completely furnished, partially furnished, or showcase small vignettes of accessories throughout. A few potted silk trees can really make a difference in the feel of a home. A cheerful mat at the front door and a nice plush rug in the foyer will make a buyer feel welcome from the moment they enter the home. A table in the dining room that is set for a romantic dinner is surely to catch the attention of a buyer. They can visualize themselves and spouse or significant other sitting at that table enjoying a glass of wine. Placing an overstuffed chair in a corner with a floor lamp and book will beckon a buyer to sit down and relax after a hard days work. When a vacant home is staged, a buyer will be more likely to make a connection with the home immediately.

So, don't lose out on a sale because a buyer cannot emotionally connect with that vacant listing. You have the tools available to you when you use a professional Real Estate Stager. Be one step ahead of your competition. Call a Stager today to help you with your vacant listings.

Author, Julie Martelo, TIME TO REDESIGN - Offering Interior Redesign, Real Estate Staging, Decorating & Color Consultations in the Bradenton & Sarasota areas, including Parrish, Ellenton, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto, Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Port Charlotte, Osprey, Brandon & Sun City. Serving all of Sarasot & Manatee Counties. Visit Julie's website at www.timetoredesign.com.