To obtain the best price in the shortest time on the market is your objective when selling a home. A home may be in three distinct situations when on the market:

1. Owner-occupied
2. Tenanted
3. Vacant

1. Owner-occupied
In this situation, the seller has much more control than with a tenanted property. They can ensure the property is in top condition for showings - dishes washed and put away, beds properly made, etc. This is often the best position of the three.

2. Tenanted
The tenant has rights, and these can seriously limit the day/time and number of showings. This may mean missing some buyers. Tenants often don’t want to vacate and may therefore try to impede showings by being very inflexible.

Often tenant's furniture is not of as high a standard as an owner occupier may have and this does not help the marketing. This is certainly the hardest position in which to market a property.

3. Vacant
An empty house is often better than a tenanted one. An empty house however looks “barren”. That is why new house builders have them tastefully furnished to give them the wow factor. 

Although it can cost up to a few thousand dollars to have a vacant property staged, it is usually a good investment. The result can be a quicker sale and a better price. A staged, vacant property is the best position of the three to be in.