Leisure World: Is It Better To Sell A Unit Owner-Occupied Or Vacant?

Key Market Differences

Price per Square Foot:

One of the most striking differences in the Leisure World housing market is the price per square foot.

• Vacant Homes: $362.28 per sq. ft.

• Owner-Occupied Homes: $370.30 per sq. ft.

• Vacant homes sell for approximately $8.02 less per square foot!

This pricing gap suggests that buyers perceive more value in owner-occupied homes—even when the properties themselves are similar in size or condition. Homes that have furniture, decor, and personal touches create a sense of warmth and livability, which can lead to higher offers from buyers.

💲 Graph: Price per Square Foot - Vacant vs. Owner-Occupied Homes

(Graph below shows the comparative price per square foot for vacant vs. occupied homes.)

Days on Market:

Another key difference between vacant and owner-occupied homes is how long they stay on the market.

• Vacant Homes: 36.5 days

• Owner-Occupied Homes: 33.2 days

• Vacant homes tend to stay on the market for 3.3 more days!

This may not seem like a huge gap, but in competitive real estate markets, even a few extra days can make a big difference. Homes that appear “lived-in” feel more inviting to buyers, helping them conceptualize how they might use the space.

⏳ Graph: Days on Market - Vacant vs. Owner-Occupied Homes

(Graph below shows how long homes stay on the market before selling.)

Average Sale Price:

Perhaps the most important statistic for sellers is the final sale price of the home.

• Vacant Homes: $333,055

• Owner-Occupied Homes: $338,796

• Owner-occupied homes tend to sell for more!

💰 Graph: Average Sale Price - Vacant vs. Owner-Occupied Homes

(Graph below highlights the difference in final sale prices.)

Home Size Comparison:

While both types of homes are comparable in size, there is a slight difference in average square footage.

• Vacant Homes: 921.58 sq. ft.

• Owner-Occupied Homes: 918.19 sq. ft.

Although owner-occupied homes are slightly smaller on average, they still command a higher price. This further supports the idea that the presence of furniture and staging plays a major role in buyer perception.

📏 Graph: Average Home Size - Vacant vs. Owner-Occupied Homes

(Graph below illustrates the average home size in square footage.)

Why Do Owner-Occupied Homes Sell for More?

It all comes down to perception!

1️⃣ Furniture Creates a Sense of Scale:

• Buyers often struggle to visualize furniture placement in an empty home. Rooms look smaller when vacant because there are no visual references for scale.

• A well-furnished living room can make a home feel more functional and spacious!

2️⃣ Emotional Connection:

• A vacant house feels like an empty shell, while a home with furniture and decor feels lived-in and inviting.

• Buyers tend to emotionally connect with a home when they can see how it’s used in everyday life.

3️⃣ Staging Boosts Appeal:

• Professional staging ( Judy Hughes Does A Great Job!) can lead to faster sales and higher prices because it helps buyers imagine themselves living in the space.

• Vacant homes may appear cold or neglected, making them less attractive to buyers.

4️⃣ Perceived Maintenance & Upkeep:

• Buyers often assume that a vacant home requires more repairs. They might worry about hidden maintenance issues, leading to lower offers.

• Owner-occupied homes appear well-maintained, signaling less risk for potential buyers.

Takeaways for Sellers:

✔ If selling a vacant home, consider staging it professionally to make it feel more inviting. Mark and Judy Hughes Stage their Vacant Listings for Sellers.

✔ Owners still living in their homes should keep them well-maintained and show-ready to maximize their sale price.

✔ Price strategy matters – vacant homes may need to be priced slightly lower or offer buyer incentives to compete effectively.

💡 Final Thought:

People don’t just buy a house—they buy a lifestyle.

A well-furnished, welcoming home sparks an emotional connection, helping buyers see themselves living there—and that translates into a faster sale at a higher price!

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This Week's Leisure World Real Estate 3.13.25

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