Move-in condition or 'fixer-upper'?

When I meet with people preparing to sell their home one of the first questions I am usually asked is "What do I have to do to get my home ready to sell?" If it's an estate or the home is vacant because of a move to a senior complex the question is often, "Should I sell it 'AS IS' or fix it up...aren't buyers  looking for 'fixer-upper' properties?

The truth is, I work with some buyers specifically looking for 'fixer-upper' properties...but they are also looking for 'fixer-upper' prices, which are significantly below the price of comparable properties in move-in condition. Many of these buyers are specifically looking for properties they can fix up and re-sell. Although a few plan to fix up the property and make it their home, most of today's buyers simply don't have the time or resources to invest in a 'fixer-upper'.

According to a survey of 150 real estate brokers reported by Inman News, only 7 percent of first-time buyers are seeking 'fixer-upper' properties. Move-in condition was reported to be very important to 81 percent of first-time homebuyers!

When meeting with sellers I usually go through the property with them and make some initial suggestions...then recommend a free consultation with a professional stager as they get closer to actually listing their property for sale. They can use ideas from the consultation to do their own staging, or get help with things they can't do themselves.

I work closely with Jeri Pischke of Tenderheart Transitions. What is so wonderful about working with her is that she not only helps set the stage with furniture and accessories if needed...she also helps with whatever needs to be done prior to the final staging, often the hardest part. This might include helping with de-cluttering and packing things away, painting, flooring, countertops, fix-ups, updates, landscaping...those things you know need to be done but you don't have the time, energy or know-how to do yourself. She and her crew magically get everything ready so you don't have to stress about it!

Staging of the property pictured above included things such as landscaping, painting, flooring, lighting, updating in the bathroom and kitchen. It sold to first-time homebuyers in less than 30 days.