Are empty houses harder to sell? When selling your home in Houston Heights, every detail matters – including whether your house is furnished or empty when potential buyers come to view it. But is the cost of staging worth the investment?

In this blog post, Houston Heights real estate expert Chris Schmidt and Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Chris Schmidt Team will discuss why empty houses are harder to sell, and what sellers can expect on the impacts of staging.

Key Takeaways:

• Empty houses typically spend 6 more days on the market than furnished homes.
• Vacant properties often sell for an average of $11,000 less than their staged counterparts.
• Strategic staging in key rooms can increase the final sale price by an average of 1% to 5%.

Are Empty Houses Harder to Sell?

Impact of Empty Houses on Sale Time and Price

Speed is likely one of your top goals when selling your Houston Heights home. If you want a fast sale, it’s important for your home to stand out on the market and appeal to buyers. One of the best ways to accomplish this is investing in professional staging. Chris Schmidt notes,

“Empty houses consistently take longer to sell than furnished properties. Vacant homes spend nearly a week longer on the market before receiving any offers.”

This extended timeline can be particularly challenging in the Heights, where market dynamics can shift quickly.

Beyond the time factor, empty houses often face another significant hurdle: lower selling prices. On average, empty properties in Houston Heights and similar markets sell for substantially less than their staged counterparts. In fact, staged homes can sell for 1% to 5% above asking price.

Schmidt explains,

“In my experience, an empty house can leave thousands of dollars on the table, sometimes as much as $15,000 or more in a neighborhood like the Heights.”

According to one Redfin study, empty homes nationwide spend an average of six extra days on the market and sell for $11,306 less than their staged counterparts.

Why Empty Houses Present Challenges for Buyers

The difficulties in selling an empty house often stem from how potential buyers perceive and interact with the space. Having empty rooms creates problems such as:

• Visualization Struggles: Many buyers find it challenging to envision furniture and daily life in an empty space.
• Apparent Flaws: Without furniture and décor, even minor imperfections become more noticeable.
• Scale Issues: Empty rooms can appear smaller or awkwardly shaped without furniture to provide perspective.
• Reduced Emotional Connection: Vacant houses often feel cold and uninviting, making it harder for buyers to form an emotional attachment.

These challenges can be particularly pronounced in Houston Heights, where historic homes with unique layouts and architectural features require furniture and décor to showcase their full potential.

Houston Heights-Specific Considerations

The Heights neighborhood presents unique factors that can impact the sale of empty houses. For example, the historic character of many homes in the area draws buyer interest. Key furnishings can enhance this character and make it easier for buyers to appreciate the unique features of the space.

In addition, The Heights is known for being a competitive market. The Greater Heights consistently ranks as one of Houston’s most desirable areas, making it crucial for listings to stand out to buyers. Investing in professional staging is one of the best ways to do this.

Lastly, Houston Heights is known for having higher average home prices compared to other areas of Houston. This means buyers often have elevated expectations for how properties are presented on the market.

While completely furnishing an empty house can be expensive, strategic staging can make a significant difference. Some of the best staging strategies are:

• Focus on Key Rooms: Prioritize staging the living room, kitchen, and master bedroom. These spaces impact buyer decisions the most.
• Highlight Architectural Features: Use minimal furniture to draw attention to unique features common in Heights homes, like original hardwood floors or built-in cabinetry.
• Consider Virtual Staging: Modern technology offers cost-effective alternatives to traditional staging, allowing potential buyers to visualize furnished spaces online.

Cost vs. Benefit Analysis of Staging

For sellers concerned about the cost of staging, consider these statistics:

• The average cost of staging in Houston Heights ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.
• Staged homes typically sell for 25% more than empty houses.
• Empty houses remain on the market 3 to 30 times longer than staged houses.

Given the potential return on investment, strategic staging often pays for itself through a higher sale price and faster sale timeline. This is particularly valuable for sellers in the high-value Houston Heights real estate market.

If full staging isn’t feasible, consider these alternatives:

• Partial staging of key rooms while leaving others empty
• Using a few statement pieces to define spaces and add warmth
• Focusing on curb appeal to make a strong first impression
• Ensuring immaculate cleanliness and maintenance

Whether you choose full staging, a partial approach, or alternative strategies, remember the key is to help potential buyers envision themselves living in your Heights home.

Selling Your Houston House is Easy with Chris Schmidt

If you want to sell your Houston home as fast as possible, you’ll need to work with a real estate professional. At Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Chris Schmidt Team, Chris Schmidt and our team of expert realtors have the knowledge and experience necessary to help Houston home sellers.

We’ve developed a reputation as the best realtor in Houston for a reason– on average, we sell homes seven times faster and for 2.5% more. Home sellers also love working with us because of our dedication to delivering top-quality customer service, as well as our unique Guaranteed Sale Program.

To learn more about the home selling process or to get started on your real estate journey, give us a call at 713-322-5604. You can also fill out the form on this page or send a message to [javascript protected email address].

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