When you’re preparing your property for sale and looking at what you can do to jazz up your home, you may look at renting versus buying furniture. You need to weigh up what will look good in photos as well as at open homes, while likely not wanting to spend too much. There’s also what to do with the furniture when you’re done with it.
In this guide, we’ll compare both buying and renting furniture to help you work out which is the right option for you. As an award-winning, B Corp Certified property styling specialist with 60+ years of experience working with sellers and agents, our team at Valiant Hire can help you with any specific questions, too.
Renting vs Buying Furniture at a Glance
Deciding whether to rent versus buy furniture to help sell your property involves a lot of working parts, including:
| Factor | Renting | Buying |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Usually lower than a full fit-out | Higher for whole-home styling |
| Ongoing cost | Costs continue if your campaign extends | No rental fee after purchase |
| Flexibility | Easy to suit the home and buyer | Harder to change later |
| Time commitment | Delivery, styling and collection are handled | You source and arrange everything |
| Resale or disposal | Nothing to store, sell or remove | You need an exit plan |
| Short campaigns | Strong fit | Often more than you need |
| Sustainability | Furniture is reused | New pieces can create more waste |
To make it easier to decide, it can help to know what you’re planning to do with the furniture after your sale, such as re-using, storing or getting rid of it.
Pros of Renting Furniture
Hiring furniture can be both more sustainable and practical, including providing you with:
• Lower upfront costs, avoiding furniture purchases for short term use.
• Professional interior styling suited to the property and target buyer.
• Delivery, installation and collection are managed for you.
• Flexible hire periods if the sale campaign takes longer.
It’s also less waste, with furniture being reused in other projects once you’re done with it.
Cons of Renting Furniture
There are also some cons of renting furniture, even on a lease-to-own arrangement, such as:
• Extra hire fees if the sale takes longer.
• You cannot keep the furniture unless a purchase option is available.
• Styling is selected for buyers rather than personal taste.
• Furniture availability may require advance planning.
Buying furniture can be worthwhile when you plan to reuse it, but for a single sale campaign, the higher cost and ongoing responsibility may outweigh the benefits.
Which is the Smarter Choice for Selling Your Property?
So, is renting vs. buying furniture actually right for you? Start with your campaign.
If you’re only preparing one property for sale, need to have it styled quickly, want to keep your costs low and don’t want to have to deal with the furniture after, renting furniture can be the perfect solution. However, if you’re styling multiple properties, you know the sale will be a longer process, or you want full control over what furniture goes in and what happens to it after, buying furniture may be the way to go.
Leaning towards renting? Valiant Hire’s residential styling team can guide you through your options to furnish now, pay later.
Frequently Asked Questions |
|
|
How long can I rent furniture when styling a property for sale? |
Many furniture rental companies have minimum hire terms. For example, Valiant Hire’s furniture leasing starts at 6 weeks, with the option to extend if your campaign needs more time. There typically isn’t a maximum unless outlined in your agreement. |
|
How much does it cost to style a property with rented furniture? |
How much interior property styling costs depends on the furniture needed, length of hire and any add-ons. Valiant Hire’s packages start from $6,000, with the final cost depending on the scale of your project. |
|
Can I buy the rented furniture if I want to keep it? |
In some cases, you can buy rented furniture if you decide you want to keep it. Some providers, such as Valiant Hire, offer lease-to-own and outright-own packages, so if you like the look, ask what options are available before your campaign finishes. |
Style Your Property for Sale with Valiant
You’re already juggling a lot of tasks trying to get your property ready for sale. This is where Valiant Hire’s interior property styling team can help you present your home for photography, inspections and open homes without having to work out what to do with the furniture after.
We help homeowners, developers and agents throughout Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, with award-winning styling services, and our B Corp certification, 100% carbon-neutral deliveries. Book a consultation with our team to get tailored advice for your upcoming property campaign.
