🛋️ Should You Sell Your Martha’s Vineyard Property Furnished?
Why It’s Tempting—And What You Need to Watch Out For
Selling a home on Martha’s Vineyard? You might be wondering whether to include the furnishings in the sale. After all, many island buyers love the idea of a turnkey purchase—especially when furniture is stylish, gently used, and thoughtfully selected.
Why Buyers Want Furnished Homes
Getting furniture to the island can be expensive and logistically challenging. Whether it's due to ferry schedules, delivery costs, or limited on-Island options, many buyers are happy to walk into a fully outfitted home. Even if the furnishings aren’t exactly their style, many will keep them for the first season and gradually replace them over time. It's convenient, practical, and ideal for second-homeowners who want to start enjoying the Vineyard lifestyle right away.
So yes—buyers often want furnishings. And when they fall in love with the way a home looks and feels, they may be willing to pay more for that complete package.
But here's the catch: that doesn’t mean the furnishings should be included in the home’s sale price.
The Problem With Selling “Turnkey”
From a financing perspective, bundling furnishings with the house can complicate or derail a transaction—especially if the buyer is taking out a mortgage.
Banks do not want to lend money on personal property. If a contract includes furniture, the lender will likely require a breakdown—and may refuse to finance anything beyond the real estate itself. This can lead to:
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Rewriting contracts late in the process
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Delayed closings
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Lower-than-expected appraisals (because the value of furniture must be subtracted)
To avoid this, furnishings should be negotiated as a separate transaction—either through a Bill of Sale or a simple personal property agreement. This keeps things clean and keeps the financing on track. When listing your home, determine the value of your furniture so you'll be ready when and if a buyer does want to consider purchasing it.
Pricing Pitfalls: Don’t Scare Off Buyers
If you’re tempted to bake the value of your furnishings into the list price, here’s why that strategy often backfires:
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Buyers typically filter searches by price—they may never see your home if it’s listed too high due top expensive furniture
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Many buyers won’t assume furniture is included—and they may skip right past a listing that seems overpriced if they don't read the description
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In most cases, furniture adds emotional appeal—not appraised value—so you risk alienating the exact audience you want to attract
Instead, price your home competitively to drive interest and activity, and include a note in your listing that “furnishings are available for separate purchase.”
A Smarter Approach: Lead with Value, Let Them Fall in Love
Here’s how to maximize interest and value:
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Stage your home beautifully, using your existing furniture or bringing in a professional
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Price the property based on real estate value only—not furniture
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Include language in the MLS/description like:
“Furnishings available for separate purchase. Inquire for details.”
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If a buyer loves the furnishings, negotiate with them after the offer is accepted
This approach gives buyers what they want without complicating the deal. And if someone truly wants the full turnkey package? You’re in a great position to negotiate additional value—often at a premium.
Final Thoughts
Selling a home furnished might seem like the easier route, but in most cases, it’s better to separate the two. On Martha’s Vineyard, where the market is unique and many buyers value convenience, a well-furnished home can absolutely boost appeal. Just don’t let that extra appeal interfere with a smooth sale.
✅ Thinking of Selling?
The O’Hanlon Group knows the ins and outs of selling on Martha’s Vineyard—and we can help you decide the best strategy for presenting your home (and your furniture) to the right buyers.
Reach out today to get expert advice and a complimentary staging consultation—our treat.
