[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Any thoughts on whether selling turn-key narrows or expands the field of potential buyers?

Any thoughts on the idea that a turn-key house will sell faster if priced to compete directly with other houses of the same type that are not turn-key?

Originally Posted by charmed59

Turnkey houses have their pluses and minus'. There are a large number of folks that would love nothing more than showing up with a suitcase and starting their life here. There are also some number of folks looking for investment property, and a turnkey property means they can put it up for rental now. That said, if the furnishing look worn, they aren't attracting either of those groups. So to really discuss turnkey, let's assume the furnishings are in fairly new shape, like a model home.

Those looking for investments are less invested in the style of furnishings. It doesn't matter if the house is decorated in rustic, sea cottage, modern, tropical, or contemporary. Any of those styles will rent out equally well. As long as it isn't something very specific, such as a Blue and Green Norte Dame fan theme, people won't shy away.

However, if when you look at the group of folks looking for their own home for either seasonal or year round, even nice furniture can be a turn off. If the couple have their heart set on a beach cottage home, and the furnishings are mid-century modern, they might give pause, even if the bones of the house are perfect for them. If they have to replace the furnishings, and empty version of the same house might be more appealing. However, if the house is priced the same as an empty house, you won't be losing the folks that need to refurnish the house, and you will be gaining those that love the decor that is there.

If a family finds a house where the furnishings are perfect, but they will have to move the furniture to redo floors or take popcorn off ceilings, or make even larger fixes, then an empty house might have an advantage. It depends how in love they are with the furniture.

Thanks again for answering my question. I am quoting us here because I have more questions about turnkey sales..........

It seems to me that before the house is listed, the best thing to do would be for the seller to remove any items they want to keep. But that might not always be possible.

Do sellers mark items that will not stay or do they provide an inventory of what will stay? Or both?

If a turnkey has always been a private home and never a rental, a seller probably has a few more things to think about when preparing the house for listing. For instance, what about artwork? If the seller is taking a painting, should they just mark it to show it does not stay? Or just get it out of there, leaving a blank wall? Or, if possible, try to find something to replace it for staging? Or is it better to just have freshly painted walls with nothing, or very few items?

Suggestions? Advice? For sellers and/or buyers of a turnkey home?