For those who purchased a house in 2020 – 2021, the decision was relatively easy when choosing between furnished or unfurnished house. In the summer of 2020, Covid 19 was at its height in Pakistan and the world over, most of the markets were closed and house accessories couldn’t be bought easily. So, many preferred moving into a furnished house. However, now, the decision isn’t easy.
As the term suggests, a furnished house comes equipped with all the necessary furniture and appliances and other essential accessories. Of course, they will cost a lot more than purchasing an unfurnished house. So, in a nutshell, which house to purchase would depend upon your budget, preferences and lifestyle.
If you are in the middle of buying a house and have the option of either buying a furnished or unfurnished house, you need to read this blog till the end. Here, you’ll find pros and cons of each, which will hopefully help you make an informed decision.
Furnished House Pros
Here are some of the advantages of buying a furnished house:
Convenience – This is obvious. You won’t have to shop for furniture and accessories, have them transported to your house and worry about their right settings. Instead, you can simply move in and start your life in your new home.
Cost Effectiveness – If you’ve been postponing buying a bed or sofa, hoping that its price would come down in future, the way things are in Pakistan, you are better off buying it today. Yes! A furnished house will cost you more today but the furniture, appliances and accessories you buy tomorrow will cost you way more.
Easy to Rent Out – Not everyone buys a house for their own living; investors often buy them to rent them out later. A furnished house will be ready to rent out and will also attract more potential tenants. You will save time.
Easy to Sell – A furnished house is also easier to sell. People who are looking for convenience and are not constrained by budget, often look for furnished houses. Furnished houses also attract people from out of town and out of the country.
While it has its advantages, do not overlook the disadvantages of buying a furnished house.
Furnished House Cons
Here are some of them:
Higher Cost – This is a known fact. A furnished house would cost you a lot more than an unfurnished house. This is because of the added and often inflated cost of furniture and appliances.
Higher Maintenance Costs – This is an often overlooked or unknown disadvantage. This could be because of inferior quality furniture and appliances which will require periodic maintenance.
Lack of Personalization – Your house should reflect your taste and preferences. A furnished house will not offer this. Selling existing furniture and appliances could be a hassle and buying new ones in their place could be costly.
These were some of the advantages and disadvantages of buying a furnished house. Now, let’s turn to the strengths and weaknesses of unfurnished houses.
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Unfurnished House Pros
The disadvantages of buying a furnished house are essentially the advantages of buying an unfurnished house.
Cost Effective – Obvious advantage. So, if you are on a budget, do look into this option.
Lower Maintenance Costs – When you buy furniture and appliances of your own choice, you would know their strengths and weaknesses. This may help you cut down on their future maintenance costs.
Personalization – The freedom to buy what you like is priceless. To customize your house according to your own taste, preferences and lifestyle, you should buy the furniture and appliances yourself.
However, unfurnished houses have their disadvantages as well.
Unfurnished House Cons
Inconvenience – You’ll have to do all the furniture and appliances shopping yourself. Would you have the time? Do consider this aspect before making your decision. Also, furniture and appliances prices today may not be the same tomorrow – they could be higher.
Hard to Rent Out – If you are purchasing a house only to later rent it out, you would want immediate return on your investment? So, think about buying a furnished house, which will be ready to rent out on the very first day.
Difficult to Sell – For those moving into your city from another city or country, an unfurnished house may not be attractive. Even otherwise, an empty house devoid of furniture and appliances doesn’t attract many buyers as it’s not aesthetically appealing.
To conclude, whether you buy a furnished house or an unfurnished house, you can never go wrong given that you know your budget, preferences and lifestyle. Each offers its own advantages and disadvantages, which hopefully this blog has highlighted for you. If you are looking for a house anywhere in Pakistan to rent or buy, furnished or unfurnished, OLX Pakistan’s Property portal listings are a must checkout.
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