If you plan to sell your home, one of the biggest trends in real estate is the growing preference for move-in-ready homes. Before the pandemic, many buyers were willing to take on fixer-uppers, seeing them as opportunities to personalize a home while potentially saving money. People had more time to move in and fix up later.
However, that trend has shifted. Today's buyers are eager to pay nearly 5% more for already updated homes, unlike fixer-uppers selling at a 6-9% discount, the most significant gap in three years. With rising material and labor costs, plus busier lifestyles, many buyers now prioritize convenience over potential. Investors aren't making unemotional cash offers like a few years ago. That means the average buyer today is looking for a house that will cost them less over the first two years of ownership. This is the primary reason buyers are taking longer to decide, and sellers are not getting as many offers.
One of the biggest concerns for buyers today is the age and condition of the roof. Many insurance companies are becoming stricter, refusing to insure homes with roofs beyond their manufactured lifespan, even if they appear to be in decent shape. Suppose your roof is nearing the end of its expected life. Insurance companies have hinted that they may not renew policies for properties with roofs nearing life expectancy.
But a move-in-ready home isn't just about avoiding big-ticket repairs but any little cosmetic thing that makes buyers worry about a house not being immediately livable. Buyers aren't just looking at the roof, HVAC, and plumbing; they also notice the small details. Every $10 repair looks like a $100 repair to a buyer, and that's scalable in how buyers react to more extensive updating or repair issues.
For instance, are the outlet covers clean and modern? Do the light bulbs match and provide bright, natural light? Does the carpet, tile, or wood look fresh or need replacing? Has the HVAC been cleaned and serviced lately? Are there cracks in the drywall or stucco? Are the hardwood floors polished, or do they show years of wear? Do the kitchen and bathroom cabinets need new hardware or vanities? Fresh caulk in the bathrooms, updated vanities, and updated light fixtures help the buyer feel at ease purchasing. The fewer issues a buyer observes, the better.
Sellers often view their homes differently than buyers do. You might be used to that slightly loose doorknob or a small chip in the baseboard, but buyers notice everything. Are all the interior doors freshly painted? Buyers notice all the little defects, while sellers don't always see them as they live there. Buyers look at every little item as something that will cost them money and time after they move in.
A truly move-in-ready house means no immediate projects, little need for repairs, or minor/major upgrades. Today's buyers make faster decisions in competitive markets, and a well-prepared home stands out. If a buyer sees outdated fixtures, worn-out flooring, or even minor cosmetic issues, they might assume the home needs even more latent work than it does and then not make offers.
That subtle hesitation could be the difference between an offer and a pass.
Move-in-ready homes sell faster and for more money because they meet buyers' current and changing expectations. Considering selling, consider a buyer's perspective and walk through your home critically. Look at every item in your home and ask yourself if it is ready for move-in without repairs. This type of home sells fast in this market, while others don't get or receive very low offers.
In this market, small details matter as much as more extensive details, more than ever, and sellers who recognize this trend are figuring out that making their home look like a model home is essential for a solid sale.
