Buying a Pre-Owned Home

[2BNTV]

I was wondering when deciding to buy a pre-owned home, the following questions come to my mind.
1. Does a "turn-key" home have everything one would need such things
as linens, dishes, utensils, breadspreads,etc.
2, Does a "furnished" type home need linens, dishes and utensils, breadspreads, etc.
3, If one does decide to redecorate with new furnishings from someplace like Bargains and Treasures, what is the cost of redoing the living space.

I was wondering if anyone has bought one of these homes and had to or felt the need to redocorate with furnishings more to their liking. I am a guy, but I have a good eye for decorations as I like neutral colors with a splash of other colors to offset my living areas.

I am curious as to what method is best. Whether one should buy a turn-key, furnished or empty home with no furnishings and start from stratch.

[janmcn]

I was wondering when deciding to buy a pre-owned home, the following questions come to my mind.
1. Does a "turn-key" home have everything one would need such things
as linens, dishes, utensils, breadspreads,etc.
2, Does a "furnished" type home need linens, dishes and utensils, breadspreads, etc.
3, If one does decide to redecorate with new furnishings from someplace like Bargains and Treasures, what is the cost of redoing the living space.

I was wondering if anyone has bought one of these homes and had to or felt the need to redocorate with furnishings more to their liking. I am a guy, but I have a good eye for decorations as I like neutral colors with a splash of other colors to offset my living areas.

I am curious as to what method is best. Whether one should buy a turn-key, furnished or empty home with no furnishings and start from stratch.

It depends on the house and the furnishings and the price. I've seen turn-key homes advertised for sale that are lovely, others not so much. Some turn-key homes for sale could be former rentals.

My understanding is that turn-key includes everything...furnishings, linens, and all kitchen utensils. Furnished could be anything. You would receive an inventory list of what is included.

As for costs, you could spend a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on your taste. If you found a house you liked, with furniture you liked, and possibly a golf cart included, at the right price, you should say BINGO.

[Steve & Deanna]

There is a lot to say for buying turnkey (everything in it) or furnished (self-explanatory) but we bought empty in 2011, and I mean empty. Fortunately, we get along great as we had only a Sony radio for two weeks plus before we bought televisions and got hooked up to cable. We had friends open up the place for a kitchen table and a king bed as we had headed back home for a while. Last year, we shopped, shopped, shopped and just finished with all of the essentials this year. That said, it's fun to put your own finishing touches on the place so it's a matter of choice and patience. Good luck !!!

[Down Sized]

I bought my 2 1/2 year old Cottage in July for less than the owner had paid for it the previous January. The contract stipulated every item on all walls would stay. After closing I had Southern Lifestyles fill it with furniture. This worked for me. The sales person at the store had the house furnished on the floor plan in less than two hours. They do this every day and have for years. Two days later first load arrived and set up. No pain or headaches.

[philnpat]

If you buy turn-key or furnished, don't include the furnishings in the sale price. Make a seperate deal on the furnishings. That way you're not paying a commission on anything that isn't real estate.

[buggyone]

If you buy turn-key or furnished, don't include the furnishings in the sale price. Make a seperate deal on the furnishings. That way you're not paying a commission on anything that isn't real estate.

As the buyer, you do not pay a commission. That is a cost for the seller.

You maybe are meaning for tax purposes and that is a good point.

[jebartle]

and I think half the fun is putting your "stamp" on a home, soooo, just dig in and enjoy!

[mickey100]

As the buyer, you do not pay a commission. That is a cost for the seller.

You maybe are meaning for tax purposes and that is a good point.
Yes, if you exclude the furnishings, I believe your tax will be based on the purchase price of the home (not including the furnishings), so you will end up with lower taxes.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I was wondering when deciding to buy a pre-owned home, the following questions come to my mind.
1. Does a "turn-key" home have everything one would need such things
as linens, dishes, utensils, breadspreads,etc.
2, Does a "furnished" type home need linens, dishes and utensils, breadspreads, etc. .........

I am curious as to what method is best. Whether one should buy a turn-key, furnished or empty home with no furnishings and start from stratch.

Different people will have different interpretations of what "turnkey" and "furnished" mean. Always verify what the deal includes and excludes. When we bought "furnished", the buyers went through the house and created a list/document of every item that was included in the sale. It was included as an attachment to the contract for both parties to acknowledge. It left nothing to assumption which was great.

An advantage to buying turnkey or furnished is that it takes far less time to "set up shop" - it leaves you very little to do to be ready to move in and be fully functional. The downside can be if you don't like how the place is furnished - then you're spending time and money replacing things that you just spent money for. Starting from scratch lets you furnish and decorate the home to your taste.

Bill :)

[graciegirl]

It depends on the house and the furnishings and the price. I've seen turn-key homes advertised for sale that are lovely, others not so much. Some turn-key homes for sale could be former rentals.

My understanding is that turn-key includes everything...furnishings, linens, and all kitchen utensils. Furnished could be anything. You would receive an inventory list of what is included.

As for costs, you could spend a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on your taste. If you found a house you liked, with furniture you liked, and possibly a golf cart included, at the right price, you should say BINGO.

Janmcn has made some excellent points and offers very good advice.

A good many folks have looked until they found the perfect home for them and really have enjoyed it. I also think that you should consider what Janmcn about the age and appearance of the furnishings. Sometimes much will quickly have to be replaced and you will be faced with getting rid of heavy furniture and then getting more. Better to take your time and get just the best deal, furnished or unfurnished.

[kittygilchrist]

2BN, I hope the snow problem is better now. We just had our first freeze in N. Central FL. It has been a great warm winter.

I looked for over a year at preowned and ended up choosing a lot that has a view and orientation (east to the rear) which suited me. It is such a personal decision that it really depends on what is important to you. I live close enuf to go to TV if I saw something interesting in either the TV listings or outside real estate listing, but in your case, I would consider the convenience of turnkey or at least furnished. I found several turnkeys that were lovely and well-priced, as properties turnkeys are often sold by someone not nitpicking the price.

If you can rent for a month while you examine properties available, it will give you time to get a context for making a decision. The good news about TV is you probably can't go wrong. LMK if you want the name of a good agent and a good outside TV realtor and sites to preview what has come on the market.
Kitty

[njbchbum]

2b - look at it this way..... if you like the house but don't like the turnkey furnishings, you can still move in, deal with the furnishings until you can get around to buying what you want - and then have the grandest yard sale of all getting rid of what you don't want to make room for the delivery of your new furnishings! it's a great way to offset the cost of the furnishings you really want - and so many yard salers will thank your for it!!! my guess is that such a yard sale would best be conducted during snowbird season when there are so many more shoppers! :)

[2BNTV]

Thanks for all the replies. Now I have a good idea of what to do.

The snow will be gone about the middle, to end of March. It's still piled high and deep. Roads are somewhat clear but caution is to be exercised when pulling out from driveways,, etcera as the snow blocks vision.

Hopefully, this is my last winter in the northeast. :smiley:

[oatmealgirls]

Stay warm & safe, 2BNTV ....We're all rooting for ya to get down here soon!

[peteg]

I was wondering when deciding to buy a pre-owned home, the following questions come to my mind.
1. Does a "turn-key" home have everything one would need such things
as linens, dishes, utensils, breadspreads,etc.
2, Does a "furnished" type home need linens, dishes and utensils, breadspreads, etc.
3, If one does decide to redecorate with new furnishings from someplace like Bargains and Treasures, what is the cost of redoing the living space.

I was wondering if anyone has bought one of these homes and had to or felt the need to redocorate with furnishings more to their liking. I am a guy, but I have a good eye for decorations as I like neutral colors with a splash of other colors to offset my living areas.

I am curious as to what method is best. Whether one should buy a turn-key, furnished or empty home with no furnishings and start from stratch.
2 years ago we bought a turn key villa without seeing it. True we had a good idea of where it was located and it had plenty of photos on the selling plan. We also wanted to rent it out as well as staying there twice yearly.
Perhaps we were lucky because we found it exceeded our expectations
The first year we let it thro TV rentals and they are very fussy about the inventory in their homes - apart from an emergency light and a fire extinguisher we had to spend about $50 on minor items
Dont forget that many new homes do not have all the white goods you may require and may not have ceiling fans