Seeking a Move-In-Ready Home? Here Are Pointers

This spring’s supercharged sellers’ market has buyers learning the hard lessons of compromise. With available homes in short supply and prices rising, buyers must distinguish between wants and needs.

“What buyers want is a house in perfect, move-inready condition. But many have to settle for a place that needs a substantial amount of work,” says Richard Rosa, a longtime real estate broker in suburban Chicago.

One reason many young home purchasers want to avoid buying a fixer-upper is that they’re not especially handy, says Rosa, president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer’s Agents (naeba.org).

“Compared with their parents’ generation, far fewer millennials know how to handle a hammer, a drill or other tools. For example, they’re unprepared to take on a do-it-yourself bathroom renovation,” he says.

Another reason why many are reluctant to buy a fixer is related to the expense and availability of contractors’ labor.

“With inflation and supply chain backlogs, the cost of materials has skyrocketed. Meanwhile there’s a surge in demand for electricians, plumbers and carpenters,” he says.

Rosa, whose realty firm works solely with buyers and takes no listings, cautions purchasers against accepting a property with defects that would be extremely expensive or time-consuming to correct. Such big-ticket items include the need for a new roof, or a new plumbing or heating system.

“Still, you shouldn’t necessarily reject a property that needs solely cosmetic changes such as new paint or carpeting. These are much less costly than major renovations,” Rosa says.

Here are a few other pointers for buyers seeking a carefree property.

Consider an easy-to-clean single-level property.

Sid Davis, a Utah-based real estate broker and author of “The First-time Homeowner’s Survival Guide,” says the demand for single-story houses is increasing rapidly.

“In areas where one-story houses are few in number, you can expect plenty of appreciation for the one-level house you buy now, particularly if it’s in a popular neighborhood,” Davis says.

Beyond their investment potential, one-level properties are easier to clean and maintain than multi-level houses.

Pick a place where perfectionists now reside.

Are you planning to buy a home where you expect to live for just three to five years? If so, Tom Early, a real estate broker in Ohio, says purchasing a place from maintenance-minded owners could let you coast on their quality upkeep.

Those who baby their homes are usually also meticulous about pruning their trees and manicuring their flowerbeds. Still, Early warns against thinking you could get by with their good landscaping habits for very long.

“A well-kept yard needs near constant attention — either from you or the landscaping crew you hire,” he says.

Add brand-new houses to your search list.

Early notes that not all new subdivisions are created equal. Some new homes will give you years of maintenance-free living, while others could mean headaches from the outset.

“There’s a price for quality. So, you may have to pay more for solid construction,” Early says.

A knowledgeable real estate agent should be familiar with both new home and resale options in the area where you’re looking.

Early believes that builders who add custom features to the homes they construct usually give buyers a better product than do those who mass-produce houses cookie-cutter style.

How can you find a builder with a quality edge?

“One approach is to ask those already living in the development you’re considering. Tell them you wish to know whether they’re satisfied with the quality of construction in their subdivision and if not, why not,” Early says.

Home inspectors could also provide you with a solid assessment of the builder’s practices.

“A well-trained home inspector usually knows which local developments will give you problems and which stand the test of time,” he says.

Look for an “almost new” home if a brand-new one is unavailable.

As Early says, those who buy a brand-new home can sometimes enjoy nearly carefree living for up to 10 years.

But if you’ve chosen a neighborhood where there are no brand-new homes available, you might consider a nearly new place, meaning it’s under five years of age.

“There’s no guarantee any house will free you from upkeep worries or let you sleep well at night without concern about a leaky roof or appliance breakdowns. But your chances are better if you buy a newish place,” he says.

Don’t rule out a condo that could meet your needs.

The quest for a lowupkeep home means more people are now considering condo communities where exterior maintenance is done for them, says Early, who helps his home-buying clients grasp the pros and cons of condo living.

But Early says it’s important to carefully research the financial aspects of any condo community under consideration.

“You’ll want to know that the owners’ association has put money into an escrow account to keep up with such improvements as painting and parking lot paving, along with the eventual replacement of the roof,” Early says.

Prior to investing in any condo, he urges you to read through the minutes of the condo association’s meetings for at least the last two years.

“The minutes could tip you off about repair problems and indicate if there are any lawsuits pending against a former management firm, for example,” he says.