Should I Sell My Spanish Property Furnished or Unfurnished?
Should I Sell My Spanish Property Furnished or Unfurnished?
If you’re thinking about selling your property in Spain, one of the questions you may be asking is: should I leave the furniture or sell the property empty?
There isn’t one answer that works for every property. It can depend on the type of home, its location, the condition of the furniture and, most importantly, what is likely to appeal to the buyers you’re trying to attract.
At The Bay Properties, we see both furnished and unfurnished properties, and there are advantages to each.
🛋️ Selling Your Property Furnished
For many properties on the Costa Blanca, leaving the furniture in place can actually be a big advantage.
A lot of buyers looking for a property in Spain are looking for a ready-to-use holiday home, second home or permanent residence. Being able to arrive with a suitcase and start enjoying the property can be very appealing.
Some advantages of selling furnished include:
✔️ It can make the property feel more homely
Good furniture and tasteful decoration can help potential buyers imagine themselves living there.
✔️ It can make the buying process easier
For overseas buyers, having furniture already in the property means there is less to organise after completion.
✔️ It can be particularly attractive for holiday homes
If your property is close to the beach, golf courses or other popular tourist areas, buyers may be looking for something they can use immediately.
✔️ It can help with viewings and photography
A completely empty property can sometimes feel smaller or less inviting. Well-presented furniture can help show the size and purpose of each room.
🏠 When Selling Unfurnished Could Make More Sense
On the other hand, there are situations where removing the furniture may be the better option.
If the furniture is old, damaged, very personal or simply doesn’t show the property at its best, leaving it behind could make the property less appealing.
For example, a small living room filled with oversized furniture may actually look smaller than it really is.
In these cases, removing some furniture and creating a more open, uncluttered space can make a significant difference.
You don’t necessarily have to empty the entire property. Sometimes decluttering and removing a few larger pieces is all that’s needed.
🌴 What About Outdoor Furniture?
Don’t forget about terraces, balconies, gardens and solariums.
Outdoor space is a major attraction for many buyers on the Costa Blanca, so how you present it can be particularly important.
A terrace with a small table, comfortable chairs and some plants can help a buyer imagine having breakfast outside or enjoying an evening drink.
An empty terrace can still look great, but good presentation can help show buyers how the space could be used.
If your outdoor furniture is tired or damaged, however, it may be better to remove it rather than leave it in place.
💡 Don’t Leave Everything Just Because It’s “Included”
One common mistake is assuming that leaving absolutely everything in the property is automatically a selling point.
It isn’t.
Buyers don’t necessarily want to inherit every piece of furniture you’ve collected over the years!
Before putting your property on the market, walk through each room and ask:
- Does this furniture make the room look bigger or smaller?
- Is it clean and in good condition?
- Does it make the property feel welcoming?
- Does it suit the style of the property?
- Is there too much furniture?
- Are there personal items that should be removed?
Sometimes less really is more.
🇪🇸 What Do Buyers From Overseas Prefer?
There isn’t one type of buyer.
Some buyers will specifically want a furnished property because they are purchasing a holiday home and don’t want the hassle or expense of furnishing it themselves.
Others may want to bring their own furniture and create a home that reflects their own style.
This is why it’s important to think about who is most likely to buy your particular property.
A modern apartment near the beach may appeal to a very different buyer from a large family villa inland or a traditional townhouse in a Spanish village.
📸 Presentation Matters More Than Furnished or Unfurnished
Ultimately, the question isn’t simply “furnished or unfurnished?”
The bigger question is:
Does the property look its best?
Professional photography, decluttering, good presentation and making the most of outdoor spaces can all help a property stand out.
At The Bay Properties, we believe that good marketing is about more than simply putting a property online. It’s about presenting the home in a way that helps potential buyers understand what makes it special.
Sometimes that means keeping the furniture.
Sometimes it means removing some of it.
And occasionally, it may even mean giving certain areas a fresh look so buyers can better visualise the possibilities.
So, Should You Sell Furnished or Unfurnished?
If your furniture is attractive, clean and suits the property, leaving it can be a real advantage.
If the furniture is dated, damaged or makes the property feel cluttered, removing some or all of it may help.
And if you’re unsure, ask your estate agent before making the decision.
An experienced local agent can look at the property from a buyer’s perspective and advise you on how it could be presented most effectively.
Thinking about selling your property in Spain?
If you’re considering selling your property on the Costa Blanca and aren’t sure where to start, The Bay Properties is happy to have a chat and give you our honest opinion on how to present your home for the market.
📩 Get in touch with The Bay Properties today to discuss your property.