When house hacking, should I furnish the entire house?

[Rafael Perez]

Within the end of this year, I plan on house hacking my first primary residence home. Should I furnish the entire house myself, or should I tell my roommates to furnish their own bedrooms? Pretty simple question but has been bugging me for a while.

[Anna Laud]

@Rafael Perez

Hi Rafael! 

Actually this is pretty interesting, even if a simple question. 

They may already have items to bring with them number one, but if they don't, I would be sure to do as you personally desired to do. 

If you desire a more 'streamlined' look and want everything to match well, then you could choose to furnish these bedrooms- but market accordingly as 'furnished' - you would pay more for a furnished apartment than an unfurnished apartment, so this shouldn't be any different in terms of ($). 

That's really as simple as the objective added value of what you furnish - looking at area apartments for rent, both furnished and not would tell you what these items are valued at in your local market. 

Depending on how heavy the renter pool is in your area, it may or may not be an incentive or deterrent to a tenant. i.e. I could rent this for $800/month without it being furnished or I can rent here for $930/month totally furnished- it's going to go either of these ways - "great I've got furniture already and this is cheaper so I'll go with this one"  or "well it's a little bit more, but I don't need to mess with buying my own stuff because it's already furnished" (assuming all other things such as SqFt, location, etc were comparable of course)  

I would say not necessary, but make sure to not short change yourself if you do furnish it and adjust with added value comps accordingly. 

Hope that helps = )