Top Tips for Kitchen Improvements for Budget Conscious
Sellers...
Getting ready to prepare your house for selling and
you are not sure where to best spend your TIME, MONEY & ENERGY? I
have coached 1000s of home sellers on the best investments to make when
selling their home. Kitchens and bathrooms are undoubtedly two of the
most important rooms in the home. From some recent surveys it was
reported that 52% of prospective buyers said that the state of the
kitchen had the most significant impact on their buying decision AND 79%
of buyers will pay more for an updated kitchen.
Major Renovations …
So it makes sense to update the kitchen, right? As a home staging coach,
my answer is ‘yes’. However there area a few things you need to
consider:
1. Renovating a kitchen is one of the biggest and most expensive
($30 - $60,000) undertakings you can do. Your family will be without the
use of the kitchen for possibly months. Can you afford not only the cost
of the renovations but the cost of eating out more, the cost of the
emotional upheaval in the family home, the dust and chemical smells,
etc, etc.?
2. When you have completed the kitchen renovation will it match
the quality of the other rooms in your home? If not, this may hinder the
full value potential of this investment.
3. Most kitchen renovations require professional advice and
qualified contractors to do the job so that it adds value to your home,
done poorly will be a deterrent. Remember you will need a building
permit if you are doing major renovations.
Or, Minor Improvements….
My advice to you is not to spend too much money on major renovations but
make some minor improvements that will update the look of your home.
These ‘TOP TIPS’ will help you get your kitchens looking great for
selling no matter who your target market is. You can make these changes
yourself or hire a professional.
‘TOP TIPS’ Kitchen Improvements for Budget Conscious Sellers:
1. Best Paint Colours in the kitchen are medium tones in yellows,
greens and beiges; nothing too dark and nothing too light. Add some
accessory colours such as reds, oranges and yellows in bowls of fruit,
containers or floral arrangements.
2. If your Lighting Fixtures are old then replace them. You can
buy very current brushed nickel light fixtures for very reasonable
prices at Home Depot, Ikea, Canadian Tire or Rona. The old brass plates
just don’t have the look home buyers want. If you have a sunshine
ceiling paint out the wood colour the same as the ceiling – it
diminishes it from being a focal point. You can also replace the glass
with an updated look.
3. Flooring does not have to be an expensive item for your
kitchen update. Linoleum is inexpensive and works well in kitchens.
Tiles are another good product; bamboo and cork flooring is currently
popular in kitchens. Avoid using carpet in a kitchen.
4. Counter tops don’t need to cost a fortune to replace. You can
purchase inexpensive laminates that will give you a great updated look.
Countertops can also be resurfaced for far less than the cost of any new
counter tops! And while granite is trendy it is costly and there are
manmade materials like Corian® that are still less expensive and still
luxurious.
5. Cupboards can be painted; you need to prime them, sand and
paint. You can even find melamine paints if you still have this surface
cupboard! With the addition of new brushed nickel door handles you will
have a great updated look. There are companies who will put in new
cupboards while resurfacing the sides at 50% less than replacing
cupboards and drawers.
6. Sinks can also be inexpensive to replace. Stainless steel are
the most popular right now. If you only have a chip check out the home
hardware stores that carry small bottles of chip filler. Faucet taps can
be another good investment –just make sure you get a new one that works
with your existing hardware.
7. Appliances need to be updated. Check for sales or almost-new
appliance stores. Costco has some great buys as do many of the local big
box home hardware stores. Stainless steel, black or white are the most
popular for selling. If you have some chips in your appliances go to
your home hardware store and buy a small bottle of chip filler for
stoves and fridges.
8. Kitchen Islands are popular as they can add some extra work
space if you have the room to put one in. Ready-made islands can be
purchased from many stores such as Ikea, Home Depot, Rona, etc. Caution:
if there is not enough room, trendy or not, better not to buy one if it
makes your kitchen look small!
9. Kitchen Eating Area needs to be tidy, clean
and inviting. The goal is to make each room in your home look spacious.
Whether you have kitchen stools or table and chairs ensure this area is
not cluttered with too many chairs. In staging “Less is More”.
10. Your Open House Ready Look - remove all
the clutter and all of your personal items. Buyers don’t want to see all
the things that you need out on the counter for your everyday use. Now
is the time to sort through what you really need to keep, give away,
sell or throw out. Recycle where you can. Counter tops should be clear
with the exception of a few accessories.
Clean until every single thing sparkles in the kitchen. Sinks need to be
spotless, no dishcloth hanging on the tap or on the sink counter; floors
need to be ‘clean enough to eat off’…Remove area rugs in the kitchen.
Keep the cooking smells to a minimum in the kitchen during a showing. No
smells are better than bad smells! The smell of baking bread or cookies
can be pleasing if not overdone. Fresh air and lots of light make for a
great feeling in the kitchen.
Happy Selling!
Written by Dana J. Smithers is a professional interior decorator,
redesigner and home stager.
www.sunonmybackredesigns.com . Check our new site at
www.presstaging.com
.
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