Furnished vs empty: Focus on what really matters

Homebuyers are encouraged to look beyond a property’s current décor and focus instead on its layout, features and potential to become the right home for them.

When viewing a property, it can be easy to become distracted by the furniture and décor choices. But these are temporary details that will leave with the seller. What matters more is the home itself: its layout, bones and potential.

“Buyers who can look beyond the way a property is currently styled are often better positioned to recognise a home that could be the right fit for them,” says Adrian Goslett, CEO and regional director of REMAX Southern Africa.

“Instead of focusing on what the current owner’s furniture looks like in the space, ask yourself whether your own furniture will fit and whether the layout will work for the way you live. Consider the size and functionality of the rooms, available storage and how easily the space could be adapted for your everyday life.”

Paint colours, cushions and furniture can be changed quite easily, but the structural features and layout of a home are harder to update and are far more important when deciding whether a property has long-term potential. 

“Buyers need to focus on what a home could become instead of how it currently looks. Try to picture yourself living in the home and think about how you can make the space fit your lifestyle,” Goslett explains. If you’re someone that struggles to picture a space differently, technology is also making it easier to see beyond what is currently in front of you.

Room visualisation tools allow buyers to experiment with different interior finishes and design possibilities. These tools help buyers imagine how a property could look once they have made it their own.

Issued by Kesia Cloete