Do vacant homes sell slower than homes that are "staged?" Do you think a buyer needs to visualize living there with the use of furnishings? Do you ever suggest sellers rent furniture to put in their vacant homes?

Thanks in advance,

Anne

It's pretty hard to sell a vacant home unless it's already something that's highly desirable and affordable. Depending on the price range and other homes available, it may be worth it to stage at least two rooms in the home.
Usually it's easiest if the seller can leave a set table in the formal dining room - they probably won't be using this in their new house right away... a few armchairs and side tables in the living room - they can live without these for a little while... and optimally their bed, fully made, in the master bedroom if possible (tough to live without, but tougher to make 2 mortgage payments for 9 months.)
--A

Personally, I would rather sell a vacant home then a home with a bunch of personal belongings. A staged home would be great, but I prefer a vacant home over one with the sellers furnishings.
I bought my house vacant. It was much easier for me to visualize my things, the house alos lloked bigger.

Oh it's definitely hard to sell a home with all the personal belongings. And some homes, you just can't wait for the seller to get all their stuff out. But in my experience, once all the stuff gets out, it is still very hard to sell.
~~I~~ can visualize my stuff in a vacant home, but most buyers are pretty un-creative when it comes to home searches.
--A

A vacant house is better than one with some ugly old furnishings the seller's happy to live without!

It could be my target buyers, but I've never had a problem selling a vacant house. Heck, I've sold houses with tools and cans of paint and whatnot scattered all over the house! I just say: "As you can see we're making some improvements." or "As you can see the previous owner just moved out." No buyer I've ever talked to gave it a second thought.

I have seen some of the vacant home staged and they look great....It also depends on the size of the house small homes may be better with less furniture or vacant.