Why an Empty House May Sell Better

Everyone's talking about staging. Entire shows are dedicated to making a house look "presentable" to a potential buyer. Save your money! Instead, spend it on a moving truck to haul all your furniture, all your collectibles, all that useless stuff out of there! That might sound harsh, because you have a lot of sentimental value associated with your things. That's the point. They are your things. Other people probably won't see the value in that antique mirror you have hanging in the dining room...probably because it won't be there when they move in.

So, only show what will be theirs if they buy the house. Not only will potential buyers be able to see themselves better in the house, but it will appear larger as well. Our first house sold in a week when we emptied it out. We had great hard wood floors in the family room, and all that furniture was hiding it. And once your furniture is safely in storage (or in your new house) you can concentrate on what else you can do to help sell that house!

Freshly Painted Walls Will Give the Whole House a "New Home" Feel

You know the smell you associate with new homes? It's just fresh paint. If you do that, even if you've lived there for 20 years, people will think you just remodeled the whole interior. And don't stop with the walls. A good coat of paint on the kitchen cabinets will make them look better, and it will be a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing or refacing.

Add a Few Area Rugs in Key Places

An empty house doesn't have to be a stark house. If you feel the dining room is "missing something" by eliminating the table, place an area rug where the table used to be. And potential buyers can picture their entire family there during the holidays.

Replace Door Knobs For an Inexpensive Yet Effective Touch

Door knobs are the first things people see, and when they look worn, the entire house looks worn and dated. Change them out and suddenly your house looks fresh. And believe me, when your house is empty, door knobs are the first thing they notice.

If you are under the impression that cleaning out your entire house is a drastic move, think about it this way: How many times have you walked into someone's house and thought, " I hate the decorating." Well now, people can imagine their own decorations in their new house. And your "new" old house may end up selling a lot faster.