Should You Move Out Before Selling Your Oakland County Home?

By Gwen Daubenmeyer

Gwen Daubenmeyer is the founder of our team. She brings an unwavering commitment to her clients and a get-it-done attitude. Gwen is unapologetically competitive. Marketing and negotiation are her Olympic events; if she could medal, she would. While winning is her “what,” her clients are her “why.”

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you may be wondering whether you should move out before showings, hire a professional stager, or just leave it as is. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your goals, your timeline, and the condition of your home. Here are the main options and what they mean for you:

Selling an occupied home. Many sellers stay in their homes while it’s on the market, and this can work well if the house is clean and well-maintained. A lived-in home can feel warm and welcoming to buyers, but you’ll want to minimize personal photos and remove unique décor or collections. Buyers aren’t there to see how you live. They want to picture how they would live in the space. Keeping the home tidy during showings is key.

Selling a vacant home. If you’ve already moved out, showings become easier for everyone. Agents can schedule freely, and you don’t have to worry about last-minute cleaning. But vacant homes can feel cold and impersonal. Without furniture, buyers may have trouble gauging room sizes or imagining how spaces could function. This can make it harder for them to connect emotionally with the home.

The benefits of staging. Professional staging helps buyers see a home at its best. Furniture placement can make small rooms feel larger and highlight features like fireplaces or bay windows. Data shows that staged homes often sell faster and for more money, especially in areas with higher price points such as Rochester, Bloomfield Hills, Royal Oak, and Troy. Staging can be an investment, but if done correctly, it should bring in a return. Working with an agent certified in staging ensures you do not waste money.

When may staging not be needed? Not every home requires complete staging. If your home is already clean, the yard is tidy, and the price is right, light staging or none at all may be enough. The goal is always to make the strongest first impression possible, but how you get there depends on your unique situation.

Selling a home comes with many decisions, and choosing whether to stay, move out, or stage is one of the most important. The right approach can make all the difference in how quickly your home sells and the price you receive.

If you’re considering selling, I can guide you through the options and help you decide what will create the strongest impression for buyers. Call or text me at 248-850-2575 or email me at hey@theintegrityteam.com. I will help you build the right plan so you can sell with confidence and achieve your goals.