Turn-Key Design: Pro Tips to Get Your Home Ready For The Market

Turn-key homes have become very popular with buyers. Learn what a turn-key home is, how to get the best return on investment, and how to achieve a turn-key home.

What exactly is a turn-key home ?

A turn-key home is a house that is ready to move into. In other words, you turn the key and move in. It typically refers to one that has had recent renovations. These homes often don’t even need a fresh coat of paint. Just move in and go about life.

What are the benefits of selling a turn-key home ?

There are many benefits of turn-key homes. The biggest for the seller is that you’ll earn more money. Making your home turn-key can generate a big return on investment. A turn-key home will sell faster than a fixer upper. Investing in making your home turn-key will bring a quicker sale because it appeals to what buyers are looking for.

What steps should I take to make my home turn-key?

Some homes might require major renovation. For others, it can involve smaller projects. Here are some things you can do that will add value and make your home turn-key.

Paint or reface your cabinets. New cabinets may not be cost effective when preparing to sell. Cleaning, painting, and adding new hardware can bring new life into old cabinets. Steer clear of bold color paint choices. Sticking to a neutral color palette will appeal to more buyers.
Don’t go overboard on appliances. Replace energy-hogging and malfunctioning kitchen appliances, but opt for mid-range rather top-of-the-line options.
Replace countertops. Shop around for the best pricing on countertops. Keep a consistent color theme, and avoid using more than 2 colors of counter top surfaces throughout the home for a more unified look. Quartz can be cost effective and you can often find remnants at a better value to be used on smaller cabinets in bathrooms, etc.
Flooring: The flooring should include consistent materials throughout home (no awkward transitions, or 2 types of hardwood butting up). No nicks, scuffs, gouges. Pet smells - replace carpet if cleaning does not remove.
Paint/Color scheme: Choose one interior paint color throughout the home for a more expansive and unified feeling. Lighter colors will make the space feel brighter. Neutral colors (not too beige or too gray) will appeal to more buyers.
Staging: Staging a home makes it more appealing visually and allows potential homebuyers to envision how the home might look once they move in to it, making it look more move-in ready. Having furnishings and wall hangings in place is often more inviting than empty rooms and blank walls.
Curb Appeal: The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers see, both online in listing photos and when they see your home in person. Poor curb appeal can even cause a potential buyer to decide it’s not worth coming inside. Consider fresh beauty bark, sod, and healthy plants.

KITCHEN/DINING

Built in 1995, this 4600 sq ft luxury waterfront home was in need of some updates in order to become turn-key. Since the kitchen is the room that can make or break the sale for potential buyers we wanted to make sure it really stood out. Fortunately, for the sellers, this kitchen already had so much potential, with it's open layout, wall to wall windows, natural light and the VIEW.

The old countertops were replaced with new quartz countertops, the blue wallpaper was removed and replaced with a fresh coat of a neutral paint color (Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray), the cabinets were painted (Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil), and the island painted (Sherwin Williams Iron Ore). The hardware was replaced, and old tile flooring was replaced with with Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring

The neutral color pallet opens up this space, making it feel expansive and inviting.

ENTRYWAY

The entryway is the first and last part of the home that the buyer sees. Not only is it their first impression, but it’s also their last impression.

The carpet on the stairs was replaced, walls painted (Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil throughout), painted the balusters (Sherwin Williams Iron Ore), replaced old tile floor with LVP flooring) and painted the front door (Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black).

LIVING ROOM

Staging a living room to sell your home is essential because it helps potential buyers envision themselves living in the space. A well-staged living room can make your home more attractive and potentially lead to a quicker sale.

Instead of replacing the outdated fireplace, we chose to have it painted (Sherwin Williams Iron Ore) and added a stained wood mantel. The carpet was replaced with LVP, and the walls were painted (Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil throughout). The room was staged to feel brighter, more spacious, and appealing to a wider range of buyers.

EXTERIOR/CURB APPEAL

Curb appeal refers to the exterior design and features of your home. Think of it like your home’s first impression, with the exterior giving potential buyers a sneak peek at the quality of home that they might be able to find inside.

The gutters, railing and trim were all painted (Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black) and the backyard landscape received a professional upgrade.

The garage door takes up a lot of real estate of the exterior of your house. That’s why it’s so important that it’s in good condition. Our design included a fresh coat of paint (Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black) on the garage doors, new light fixtures, and large potted plants to help improve curb appeal.

There are many advantages to making your home a turn-key dream. Buyers increasingly prefer moving into a new home without having to do anything, appealing to more buyers will bring a quicker sale, and you will generate a big return on investment!! Please, feel free to reach out with your questions.

Behind the Curtain...