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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to "stage" apartment for sale? (DP disagrees)

92 replies

dustofneptune · 05/03/2023 18:58

DP and I are looking to move this year. Currently living in a tiny cramped flat that we can't sell yet, as the building has cladding that needs to be fixed. This is meant to be finished by October... hopefully...

It's causing a lot of stress, particularly for DP, who is pretty miserable 24/7 due to the living situation. It's now causing tension between us, which is upsetting as we're usually super harmonious and happy together.

Because of this, we've decided to try to move into rented over summer, list our flat once we can, and then look to buy a house.

The problem is that we aren't agreeing on how to go about listing our place. Our flat needs some repairs and sprucing, and it's difficult to do it while living here, as we have pets, it's so cramped, DP hates DIY and living in a state of upheaval, etc.

DP wants to just get out, sort the flat once it's empty, and list it with unfurnished photos. I worry this might make it harder to sell, especially because our area is now inundated with shiny new beautifully-staged apartments.

I want to declutter, do what we can, and get photos taken with furniture and decor in place. I feel this would benefit us in the long run, as it would help buyers to visualise the space. Viewings will be done once the flat is empty, so I feel like it's even more important to show what it looks like furnished in the listing?

What do you think?

YABU - DP is right - it's not worth the hassle. Move into rented, then just sort, photograph + list the flat when it's empty.

YANBU - I'm right - it's much better to list a flat furnished. Suck it up now as it should be worth it later.

OP posts:
ProbablyDogNappersHunX · 05/03/2023 19:00

When we sold a house clearance property, we thought it would be best to leave a few pieces of furniture in for the photographs, to give a sense of scale. There were some genuinely nice pieces of furniture too.

The estate agents advised us to get rid of absolutely everything and sell with it completely empty.

ProbablyDogNappersHunX · 05/03/2023 19:01

ProbablyDogNappersHunX · 05/03/2023 19:00

When we sold a house clearance property, we thought it would be best to leave a few pieces of furniture in for the photographs, to give a sense of scale. There were some genuinely nice pieces of furniture too.

The estate agents advised us to get rid of absolutely everything and sell with it completely empty.

For clarity, that should read a probate property in need of a house clearance

Christmascracker0 · 05/03/2023 19:05

Unfurnished and if it doesn’t sell then stage.

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 05/03/2023 19:05

Check with local EAs. When selling deceased MIL's house their advice was to have furniture in every room. Your EA will know what's normal, locally, for an apartment.

WeAreTheHeroes · 05/03/2023 19:09

If you're selling it's probably best to get photos of it furnished. A hell of a lot of people have no vision and weirdly not being furnished can make a place look smaller than it is. That said, I'd echo the pp who suggests asking local estate agents what thet think will be best.

JamPearl · 05/03/2023 19:16

Agree with get an estate agent to value and get their advice relating to your specific flat. It's their expertise to sell your property so they know the best way.

Clarinet1 · 05/03/2023 19:17

Well I moved two and a half years ago and had looked at about ten flats. Some were furnished and looked like absolute tips; The one I bought was unfurnished and much the nicest I saw. It was freshly decorated and with a new kitchen and bathroom though (but nothing luxurious - probably B & Q or Wickes).

GreatContinental · 05/03/2023 19:18

Rental with pets is hard

Needs to be furnished- especially if small, people need to see a bed. sofa and table in situ.

Original poster
dustofneptune · 05/03/2023 19:46

Thank you for the replies so far!

We've had a handful of local agents over and they all said different things. Some said leave it decluttered but furnished, some said empty is best, and some said it makes no difference 😂

OP posts:
Abitofalark · 05/03/2023 19:47

Do what: Are you saying your preference is to tidy and declutter and photograph it as it is now, with the furniture that is in it now? Or to move out, redecorate or refurbish and then photograph it with your furniture - or with new furniture, possibly hired for the purpose of staging?

Original poster
dustofneptune · 05/03/2023 19:47

GreatContinental · 05/03/2023 19:18

Rental with pets is hard

Needs to be furnished- especially if small, people need to see a bed. sofa and table in situ.

Yes - finding it super difficult to find rentals that allow pets. Stressful.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 05/03/2023 19:49

I'd leave it empty. It's ready to move into then and people can envisage what they want to do with it rather than potentially being put off by you not making the best use of the space, for example.

Original poster
dustofneptune · 05/03/2023 19:49

Abitofalark · 05/03/2023 19:47

Do what: Are you saying your preference is to tidy and declutter and photograph it as it is now, with the furniture that is in it now? Or to move out, redecorate or refurbish and then photograph it with your furniture - or with new furniture, possibly hired for the purpose of staging?

My preference is to declutter and tidy it up now, then get it photographed, before moving into renting (and taking everything with us).

I would be open to hiring furniture for staging, but DP wouldn't

OP posts:
Original poster
dustofneptune · 05/03/2023 19:49

Christmascracker0 · 05/03/2023 19:05

Unfurnished and if it doesn’t sell then stage.

Could be a good approach to be fair!

OP posts:
TessoftheDubonnet · 05/03/2023 19:50

Seriously: it's just a small flat. No staging needed. Just make sure everything that's broken is fixed, it's all very clean and has a fresh coat of paint.

Original poster
dustofneptune · 05/03/2023 19:51

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 19:49

I'd leave it empty. It's ready to move into then and people can envisage what they want to do with it rather than potentially being put off by you not making the best use of the space, for example.

Leaning towards this after reading the replies so far. Expected everyone to say "stage it". Giving me food for thought! thank you for commenting

OP posts:
Original poster
dustofneptune · 05/03/2023 19:53

TessoftheDubonnet · 05/03/2023 19:50

Seriously: it's just a small flat. No staging needed. Just make sure everything that's broken is fixed, it's all very clean and has a fresh coat of paint.

I was feeling like staging is even more necessary in a small flat, in case people can't imagine furniture fitting in it. Taking your input into account - thank you!

OP posts:
HotPenguin · 05/03/2023 19:54

For a small flat I think it's important to have some furniture - small table to eat at, bed etc - do that people can see it isn't too small to live in. I would leave it there for viewings too. You can probably get a few bits free on Freecycle or similar.

Jaffajiffy · 05/03/2023 19:55

What % of the selling price would staging cost? My experience of staging is that it was absolutely worth it. 3 bed flat crammed with our tenants’ things on the market for 3 months with viewings but no offers. Tenants moved out. Staging firm came in and within 3 days we had offers over asking and a bidding war that we declined to engage in after agreeing an offer. It transformed the place. My reasoning was that I’d rather spend £5k than drop the price by £10k. But £5k was a small % for the price of the flat (London).
Dont listen to EAs. They will say whatever they think you want to hear so they get your signature.

ZoChan · 05/03/2023 19:56

I've been looking at rightmove recently and prefer the empty look. The staged new builds in our area are stupid: the photos focus on the accessories and make it seem cluttered and unliveable! Definitely go empty with everything clean and ready to go.

DashboardConfessional · 05/03/2023 19:57

If it's priced right, it won't matter. People will see right through it if you list at a higher price based on a nice bedspread and a laid dining table.

DorisParchment · 05/03/2023 19:59

I’m selling my Mum’s house (probate) and have decluttered but left all the furniture in, so it looks like someone still lives there, and will give a good idea of what furniture will fit where - eg there is a table in the kitchen, with two chairs, but due to the shape of the kitchen you might not necessarily think you could get a table in there.

Jaffajiffy · 05/03/2023 20:00

Here’s the small bedroom

To want to "stage" apartment for sale? (DP disagrees)
To want to "stage" apartment for sale? (DP disagrees)
Mascaramademehappy · 05/03/2023 20:01

I recently sold a property which had been rented out part furnished. I got all the furniture out and paid a staging company to come and furnish it all. It looked absolutely amazing. The interest was the highest the EA had seen in the area resulting in 30+ viewings in the first week and selling at 20% over valuation. I believe a lot of this was due to the presentation of the pics online to get people through the door then creating a bidding war. The EA hadn’t sold a fully professionally staged properly before but now advise people to do it for all empty homes.

GoodChat · 05/03/2023 20:03

Jaffajiffy · 05/03/2023 20:00

Here’s the small bedroom

Wow that's an incredible transformation!