Developers say ready-to-move-in turnkey homes are in vogue

Developers say that so-called “turnkey homes”, which are luxurious, fully-furnished and decorated homes that are ready to move in, are what an increasing number of home shoppers are looking for these days.

The turnkey home trend is increasingly prevalent in states such as California and Hawaii and in many second-home resort communities, says a report in Mansion Global.

Rob Kildow, principal broker and director of sales at Hawaii real estate firm Hualalai Realty, told Mansion Global that turnkey residences have become more appealing within his local market. He said fully-furnished homes often sell at above asking price, and within just days of going on the market.

“When our residents sell their home, a buyer from a smaller property here buys it and moves into the bigger space,” Kildow said. “They leave the smaller home fully furnished while they create their new residence. I then have a three-page waiting list of buyers interested in that smaller property.”

According to Kildow there is a “clear trend toward single-family, ‘want it now’ homes. Psychology always provides different sales drivers, and the pandemic pushed buyers on the fence to buy—in some cases ‘sight unseen.’”

A home that’s fully furnished and decorated may also have fewer surprises in store for a buyer. Also, during the pandemic, furniture and construction materials have been difficult to come by with supply chain bottlenecks that have made getting materials tougher.

Silversands Villas on the island of Grenada, Calif., is selling fully furnished homes that also feature original artwork that stay with the homes. Kandace Douglas, a real estate sales and marketing director at Silversands Villas, told Mansion Global the development is embracing the luxury “move in now” mentality that more buyers appear to be exploring.

“Turnkey homes offer peace of mind and instant enjoyment—while avoiding construction costs and labor force issues presented by today’s economy,” Terri A. Haack, president of Rancho Palos Verdes, a resort along the Southern California coast, told Mansion Global. “Time is priceless.”