For anyone selling their home, there is always that awkward question — should I pack everything up and leave the house empty, or should I leave everything in the home to showcase it? Thankfully, there is no solid set of rules when you are selling your home except if you are selling the house as-is.
Having options may be reassuring to the busy family that does not have time to pack all their belongings, especially since they are probably still living in the home. There are some pros and cons if you leave your stuff in your home or not.
Selling Your Home As-Is
Before diving into the pros and cons of selling your home with or without furniture and appliances in it, it is essential to know about selling your house as-is.
Home sellers have the option to sell their homes as-is if they choose to. When you do so, it means that you can sell your home in the condition that it is presently in without having to do any repairs. When you sell your house as-is, it means you can leave your furniture and belongings in the home while selling it even after the buyer purchases the home, as long as it is in the contract. Based on the agreement, you and the buyer have agreed that they will buy the house in its current condition.
If you find a buyer who will not agree to these terms and would like to sell the home to them, you will have to clean out your belongings or wait for a buyer who is willing to buy the home without it being cleaned out.
Fort Lauderdale home buyers recommend thoroughly going over your contract to know whether you can leave your things in the home or not.
Pros and Cons of Selling Your Home With or Without Belongings
Inconvenience
When buyers come to look at your home, they do not expect the home seller to be there. Usually, a real estate agent is hired to show your home, and the potential buyers get to roam the house freely to inspect it and see if they like it. If you are there, it may be awkward for some home buyers. Therefore, if you were to sell your home with belongings, you would have to leave home constantly. But if you sell your home without your property, you do not have to worry about that.
More Showings
If your home is vacant, you are likely to get more showings from the real estate agent because it is more convenient for them. After all, they can work around the buyers’ schedules. If you have your personal belongings in the home and you still occupy the house, the real estate agent will have to work around your schedule, which might prevent some showings.
Less Cleaning
If your home is vacant, that means that there is less cleaning to do continuously. When you occupy a house while doing showings, you make a mess from living in it. But, to have someone buy your home, you want it in top-notch shape. Therefore, you will have to do more cleaning. But, if you do not have your belongings in your home, you can clean the house once and not have to worry about it again.
House Staging May Be Challenging
If you decide to take all of your belongings out during the house staging, it might be a little strange for potential buyers and the real estate agent. Potential purchasers want to envision themselves in a home, and without furniture in it, that is a little difficult. Therefore, it may be wise to leave at least a few appliances and a few pieces of furniture behind before you officially sell the house.
Crimes May Occur
There is always a chance when you have a vacant home that it can be broken into, and things can get stolen. Even worse, it is a prime place for squatters. If you do choose to clear out your belongings to sell your home be sure to get the proper locks and take the appropriate security measures to ensure your home is safe while you are away.
Utilities
Taking all of your belongings out of your old home and living in a new home while it is being shown can mean paying twice the utility bills. Now, some people can afford this, but some people cannot. So, this may not be an option for some, especially since they just bought a new home themselves. The real estate agent needs electricity to show the house and for inspections and appraisals before the home is officially sold.
Again, there is no right or wrong answer to whether you should keep your belongings in your home when you are selling it. The decision depends on your personal preferences and weighing the pros and cons. If you live in a high crime rate area, it may be wise to keep your belongings in the home, but if you need to sell your home faster, you may want to clear it out. Whatever you choose, make the best decision for you and your family.
