If you’ve been looking on s1homes searching for your dream property to buy, chances are you’ve discovered more than a few that have ticked all of your boxes. But on the day of the viewing, it can be easy to let the furniture and belongings of the current owners cloud your judgement and your vision of how you would want it to look if you owned the property.
Was it the enormous sofa that filled the living room, the pink princess castle in the bedroom or a trampoline that covered the glorious green lawn? It can be hard to imagine yourself living there amongst the family portraits and personal belongings.
During your search at s1homes, you may have come across properties that are empty of belongings and you could find yourself put off by these, but there are plenty of benefits of viewing a blank canvas.
Whilst the online images may not show a fabulously furnished flat or high-end house, and instead show dated tartan carpets, gold shelving and purple flock wallpaper, stripping back these rooms is much easier to do mentally.
You may be missing out on some great opportunities by disregarding empty properties and we don’t want you to lose out on your dream property, so here are some top tips on what to keep in mind when viewing empty properties.
Paint your own picture
When viewing a property, aside from ticking all the boxes on your property wishlist, you need to get that ‘at home’ feeling when you walk through the property. So, what better way to get an idea of how to make this happen than with the blank canvas of empty rooms? It’s easier to imagine your furniture and personal belongings placed precisely where you want them. Not only can you get an idea of how they will look, but it’s also easier to determine how they will fit in the room as you’ll be able to get a feel for the size of the room too. You’ll also get a feel for how light changes the room as there won’t be any large pieces of furniture potentially blocking windows.
Don’t forget the details
Don’t just think about where the large furniture pieces would work in the home, imagine in your mind’s eye those little touches that really would make this space a home. It might simply be a family photograph hanging on the wall or your favourite bouquet of flowers sitting on a windowsill. Now you can see how natural light affects the rooms, think about where the darker areas are and where you would place lighting. Take time to wander around and personalise your potential new place. Make a list of the rooms that will just need a lick of paint to update, and which ones need fully stripped out. This will help determine the time it will take to make it your own, and also how much it should cost.
Nowhere to hide
Having empty rooms means everything that might normally be invisible is out in the open for you to inspect. This ranges from simple marks where the furniture may have rubbed the walls to uncleaned nooks and crannies. You may also discover some hidden gems like original fireplaces, intricate woodwork or even cupboard doors that have been papered over. The floors too are completely uncovered so with permission from the agent you could see if there are any hidden original wooden floors or tiles by lifting up a small section of the carpet.
Time is your friend
When a property is empty it’s normally for good reason: not necessarily because nobody likes it but because the seller or previous tenant has already moved on. This offers greater flexibility when it comes to move-in dates, whether that means collecting the keys sooner or waiting until your current place is sold, or your lease has ended. You also don’t have the potential fear that you’ll show up on moving day and the previous owner has left unwanted furniture behind that can cause unnecessary stress. It’s also highly likely that no one is living in the property so the owner may be open to you visiting to take measurements before your final move-in date as you won’t be interrupting anyone in the property. Of course, this is subject to the owner’s approval.
So, when searching for your next property, don’t be too quick to swipe past an empty property as they offer a lot of potential. If you’re looking for a property to put your own stamp on, search the best Scottish properties at s1homes.com today.