As any realtor knows, listing a home when a family is still living in it presents many problems. After all, if someone is still living there, it will be very difficult for prospective buyers to imagine themselves and their own possessions in the new house. However, that doesn't mean an occupied home is impossible to list or sell, and with the right preparation, the transaction can be done. Here are three easy tips that will allow you to sell a home with someone still living in it.
Keep It Neat and Clean
A dirty home is distracting. It gives the impression that the family living in it doesn't care about basic things like maintenance, and this may scare off prospective buyers. The mess will also stop someone who may be interested in buying it from seeing themselves living in the house. Furthermore, a home that is caked in dirt or clutter will distract from all of the home's good features. To that end, make sure the seller keeps the home as neat and as clean as possible. This ensures that all of the home's various assets are highlighted.
Move Out All But the Essentials
Remember, the most critical facet of any move is to ensure that potential buyers can imagine themselves inside the house. That's not going to be possible if the current seller has personal effects, furniture, or various knickknacks scattered throughout the house. A home that is for sale should be as empty as humanly possible in order to ensure that the house looks ready for occupation by the new owners. To that end, declutter the house, and get rid of everything but what is absolutely required by the current occupants to live. When you can, move out extra furniture, and put it into storage.
Picture Angles Matter
Picture angles are always important when it comes to preparing a listing, but when the house is occupied, they are more important than ever. Pictures must be taken in a way that emphasizes the home's various strengths, even with someone still living there. When you take your pictures, concentrate on the empty space. Don't try to hide the fact that someone is living in the home, but don't emphasize it either.
There is no question that having someone still living in a home adds challenges to listing it. However, the presence of the current residents doesn't mean it's impossible to sell. Follow these tips, and you will be well on your way towards successfully listing a still-occupied home.