Many homebuyers in today’s market are looking for a home they can move right into after closing. They tell me that they don’t want to go through the hassle of making a lot of repairs, updates, or changes before moving themselves and their furniture into their new home.
Simply put, they want a move-in ready house.
What does "move-in ready" really mean? Depending on who’s talking, it could simply mean that all the appliances work. For others, it means a recently renovated home that reflects popular trends and styles. It could also mean a house that requires zero work, meaning that if the paint colors don’t match their tastes, it’s not move-in ready.
As a result, it’s hard to pinpoint what a listing agent means when the house is described as move-in ready online or in other marketing materials. To help you navigate the house-hunting process and manage your expectations when it comes to common listing descriptors, I have broken down how the definition of the phrase varies and how you can change your search to match the meaning you need to find your next home.
The technical definition of move-in ready, according to Black’s Law Dictionary, is that the building can be occupied and meets all local code requirements for living in it, including working plumbing and electricity and doors and windows that lock.
By this definition, how you see a property doesn’t really relate to whether it’s move-in ready. Freshly painted walls and a remodeled kitchen to match current design trends may pull you in as a buyer, but upon inspection, you could learn there’s structural damage that needs to be repaired before you move in.
When it comes to house hunting, however, move-in ready tends to take on a more cosmetic definition for homebuyers. Many buyers get a wake-up call once they start touring homes and realize that a home might be move-in ready even if it doesn’t match their cosmetic taste. With tight inventory continuing to be an issue, I encourage buyers that I work with to be more flexible on what they are willing to live with versus updates that they could make over time. For some buyers, that might mean moving into a place where you hate the green walls or the shag carpet, but you’re not having to do any structural or system upgrades.
The real takeaway here is that buyers need to figure out what move-in ready means to them personally and not rely on seeing this term in a listing. Then, you need to find out if your definition of move-in ready is realistic in the market you are searching within. This requires both touring homes and working with an agent who is experienced and knowledgeable in your market area.
Ready to turn your dreams of a move-in ready home into reality? Look no further! Contact Andrew McKinney Real Estate today at (617) 501-0233, and let us help you find the perfect home that meets all your criteria. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to making your home-buying journey smooth and hassle-free. With a wealth of knowledge in the real estate market, we'll guide you through every step of the process. Don't wait any longer; your dream home is just a call away!
Attorney Andrew McKinney, formally of Buyers Brokers Only, LLC is an exclusive real estate agent with 13 years of experience in the Boston area having completed over $250 million in transactions. Andrew works with buyers and sellers at all market segments in Boston and the surrounding cities and towns including Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, Newton Needham, Arlington, Belmont, Watertown, Medford and Melrose. As an attorney and an MBA, Andrew brings a unique skill set and level of professionalism that sets him apart from other agents in the area.