Almost every home can benefit from a few improvements, and one of the places potential buyers really scrutinize is the kitchen. This may leave sellers thinking they need a full remodel. Not only is such a gesture expensive, but it also does not have a great return on investment.
That does not mean sellers should ignore the kitchen, however. Making smaller kitchen improvements can improve sale prices and decrease the amount of time it takes to sell a home. Bay Head area buyers are impressed with stylish features, so start with improving elements which look most dated.
Have a Theme
Buyers often look for a visual theme tying rooms together that creates a flow or luxurious feel to an otherwise perfect waterfront home. Colors should complement one another. Fixtures should reflect a common style. Wood tones should match. Before you start reworking the kitchen, consider how you’d like the overall space to look when all is said and done.
Paint the Walls
Walls in even the cleanest houses get dirty over time, and that is even more the case in the kitchen. Give the walls a solid coat of glossy paint to give a fresh look and increase ease of maintenance. Paint is also a great way of unifying the room, so make sure it works with the flooring, cabinets and other elements.
Replace the Flooring
Like the walls, flooring tends to build up stains and wear and tear. Flooring styles also change over time. Twenty year old flooring typically looks dated no matter how good its condition, so replacing the flooring can add value, making your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Technology is constantly evolving as well. New materials last longer and provide superior performance for less money. A vast array of textures and colors are offered by materials including wood, laminate, ceramic tile and vinyl tile.
Update the Cabinets
In most cases, cabinets can be updated rather than replaced. If the cabinets are painted, another coat of paint can simply be applied. Wood stained cabinets will take more work as they need to be sanded or stripped before new stain is put down. If you don’t like the style of the cabinet doors, they can be replaced without touching the cabinets themselves.
If the cabinets are in good condition, you can do a touch up job by changing out the hardware. Styles of knobs and handles actually change fairly often, and switching things out is a quick and affordable way to update a kitchen’s appearance.
Change the Faucets
Like cabinet hardware, faucet fashions are constantly evolving. Changing both the cabinet hardware and the faucets also offers the opportunity to coordinate the two elements, using the same finishes and even the same general style.
Upgrade or Update Countertops
Granite countertops are a huge draw right now, so if the counter looks a little worse for wear, consider splurging for granite. Keep costs in mind, however. If it looks like costs won’t be recouped at the time of the sale, a more cost-effective update may be in order.
Consider a Backsplash
Backsplashes are not a necessity, but they can really perk up a kitchen. They are also highly affordable and come in many designs. Backsplashes can become a focal point in a kitchen dominated by muted tones, or they can reflect the style and colors of the walls and floor.
Stage the Kitchen to Sell
No matter how much or little is changed in a kitchen, it should always be staged during open houses for best effect. The most important thing is to stress the appearance of space. Clear away everything that isn’t fastened down, including countertop appliances: coffee makers, toasters, etc. This makes it easier for buyers to envision it as their own space, filled with their possessions, while underscoring roominess.
Finally, add one or two simple decorations such as a bowl of fruit or a vase of flowers. It helps generate a welcoming atmosphere.
Forget Major Appliances
As a final note, do not worry about replacing major appliances like refrigerators and stoves. These items are highly expensive and are often all replaced at once in order for them to work well together. The other items discussed here will have much more impact for far less money.
Most kitchens do not need big renovations, but nearly all of them can benefit from some degree of improvement. Whether it is paint, flooring, cabinets, faucets, countertops or backsplashes, a little investment can go a long way in making a kitchen more appealing to buyers.
Posted by Shawn Clayton on
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