Should I avoid an empty property for sale?
Sian Hiatt, Sales Manager, explains why homebuyers should never dismiss an empty property for sale from the get-go...
For some reason empty properties tend to attract less attention than those that are partly or fully furnished. This is often down to homebuyers overlooking what could be a great opportunity simply because they find it more difficult to form an immediate connection with what is effectively a blank canvas. The truth is, an empty property can offer a host of benefits to a would-be buyer, but you do need to kick your imagination into gear during any viewings if you want to picture yourself settled and living there.
Below we’ve highlighted some things we recommend you do if you plan to view an empty property.
Don’t form an opinion from photographs alone
High quality property photographs that really show off a home in a well furnished state can certainly help to pull in the attention of potential buyers, but this doesn’t mean that you should totally dismiss properties with less inspiring photographs or ones that are unfurnished and bare.
Unless you’re in a rare situation whereby the property you purchase is being sold fully furnished - such as when a buyer is relocating abroad and offers to include furniture - then you’ll be moving into a bare shell anyway. Use viewing an empty property as a chance to imagine a variety of different ways as to how you could decorate and furnish each room.
Take the opportunity to investigate size and condition
Viewing an empty property provides an opportunity to gain a better understanding of its actual size and internal condition. You’ll be able to view much more of the space that’s available in each room as well as take a closer look at the overall structural condition as things won’t be obstructed by wardrobes, beds and other large items of furniture.
Picture how you’d decorate and furnish the property
Some buyers turn their nose up at certain properties because they’re easily influenced by what they deem as bad taste in existing decor or furnishings, but it’s important to remember that this isn’t exactly what you’re buying - they can and no doubt will be changed! An empty property truly does offer a blank canvas for a buyer to put their own stamp on it, so you will have to connect with your imagination during the viewing. Consider taking a few friends or family members along so that you can all discuss your ideas and the space together.
Enquire about the selling chain
If a property is empty you can be pretty certain that nobody is living there, which means the sale could potentially be far more straightforward. In many cases there’s no onward selling or buying chain at all from the sellers side, which can often speed up the purchase process quite significantly. It may also allow for far more flexibility with your move in date.
Never assume the worst
It’s easy to come up with your own story as to why a property lay empty and dormant, but the truth is there are a whole host of reasons as to why it happens. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s something wrong with the property. In most cases, the main reasons a property is sold in an empty state is either because it was owned by a landlord, the sellers have relocated to another country or city, there was a bereavement that’s resulted in the sale or because it was a second home that’s no longer used.
If you’d like help sourcing the perfect property for you then why not contact our sales team here at CPS Homes? With branches across Cardiff we have the knowledge and expertise to help you every step of the way. Contact us today by calling 02920 668585, e-mail enquiries@cpshomes.co.uk or pop into one of our three branches.
The information contained within this article was correct at the date of publishing and is not guaranteed to remain correct in the present day.
