MANY buyers today — unsure whether prices have gone as low as they will go — aren’t looking for just a good deal. They’re looking for a steal.
For sellers, that means that to create even the slightest frisson to lure in buyers, they must either price their homes at distressingly low prices or present a property that is in turnkey condition.
Even if real estate values have started to level off, most buyers are still intent on paying rock-bottom prices. And once they have bought a place for a song, they are in no mood to spend a penny on remodeling. They want to do nothing more than unpack a toothbrush and move right in.

This means, of course, that any apartment with a 1980s renovation or more than slightly worn countertops is destined for intense scrutiny and many weeks on the market.
Some sellers are making the bold move of renovating their homes to sell them. Brokers say that this strategy can help keep the price out of the basement, and more important, help the home sell much more quickly.
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“Buyers loved what they did to the place,” she said. “There’s no question it made it 100 percent easier to sell.”
A search of listings in recent weeks produced several sellers who went well beyond clearing out clutter, deciding to pour thousands of dollars into renovating their homes before putting out a for-sale sign. The improvements ranged from refacing cabinets and installing new appliances to gut renovations of kitchens and bathrooms.
Some of the owners suspect they may lose money when they finally sell, but they are united in the conviction that the wait will be shorter than it would have been without the renovations.
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Real Estate sales in the Tampa Bay market has picked up over the past months, the sales have been the combination of the best product mixed with the best price. Buyers are willing to pay a little bit more for the home that is renovated and does not require spending further dollars to improve the home. Our website offers 2 great links to help you on your way to selling your home fast! Our preferred vendor list will help you with interior design, repair, or remodeling to get your home at the top level to sell. We also have a Smith & Associates Real Estate tailored CMA that will help you find out What Your Home is Worth. An agent will work on the information you provide to come with a suggested list price for the market. When determining the value of a home it is important to consider features such as the interior, the view, the street and surrounding neighborhood, and recent upgrades as compared to other available property in the area. Unlike the available national resources, our agents are experienced, local real estate professionals who know every nuance of every home in the neighborhoods we serve. It is only with our knowledge of the area and careful consideration that we can truly provide you with your home’s accurate value in the current market environment.
An excerpt from:
THE NEW YORK TIMES REAL ESTATE SECTION
By Vivian Toy