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There are a number of factors to consider when selling your house. Aside from thinking about how to price it, when to list it, and the condition of the market, you also need to weigh the pros and cons of showing it to potential buyers vacant or occupied. If you’re ready to move into a new home before your current one sells, consider whether it will benefit or hurt your chances of selling. Here, the Red Wing, MN-based realtors of Lawrence Realty Inc. explain some of the advantages and disadvantages of selling an empty home versus a full one.

How to Decide Whether to Sell Your House Vacant or Occupied

1. Convenience of Showing Times

Selling your house while it’s still occupied means you will have to be available to show it to potential buyers whenever a call comes in. This means you may be interrupted at inopportune times. You will also have to ensure the home is constantly clean and presentable. If you’re no longer living in the home, you won’t have the opportunity to meet interested buyers and tell them about all the best characteristics of the property. 

2. Potential for Crime

selling your houseVacant homes are more susceptible to crime. Even if you don’t have any personal belongings left inside, there is a higher likelihood of someone breaking in to steal household features, vandalize the property, or make themselves at home as a squatter. This can leave you with costly repairs and potential legal troubles. If the house is occupied, it may deter criminal activity, as thieves rarely wish to deal with confrontation.

3. Emotional Appeal

There tends to be less emotional appeal for buyers when a house is left empty without any furniture or décor. It can be a challenge for them to imagine how their own things will look once they’ve moved in. On the contrary, inhabited homes typically show better, allowing buyers to see how furniture fits inside each room and envision building their own future there.

Your real estate agent will know effective marketing techniques for selling your house, regardless of whether it’s vacant or occupied. Whichever direction you choose to go, you will need to take all the steps necessary to make your property as attractive to buyers as possible. Contact Lawrence Realty Inc. at (651) 388-4745, or visit them online for more information on how to sell a home for top dollar. 

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