Are Kitchen Updates Needed?

I toured a home where the buyer sunk a lot of money into a kitchen remodel. Sadly, there was so much unused and poorly used space that the remodeling was dollars wasted. I literally felt sad for the seller. A “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) decided to remodel the kitchen before putting it on the market. Unfortunately, they couldn’t let go of their personal taste and went with outdated oak cabinets and no dishwasher, in a $200,000+ house. All the neighbors were talking about it. Consequently the home was still on the market months after it was listed in a neighborhood where homes were selling within hours.

Kitchens and baths are two of the best places to invest in to upgrade a home, but without the help of a realtor many homeowners end up putting in more money than is necessary. You want to put in updates that are quality, tasteful, and economical. You want to make sure that the updates you are investing in are ones that will work for a wide variety of potential buyers.

If you recognize your kitchen needs a facelift before selling, let an experienced agent guide you. It may be as simple as installing flooring, new light fixtures, or painting cabinets. Even simple staging can make a world of difference. Sometimes a well-placed rug and different kitchen table can make a great change to your space. It may be that in the given the market, it’s best not to even touch it but to price your home so a buyer can do the upgrade after the purchase. A good realtor can help you decide before you spend the money, if it’s going to be worth it or not. When an upgrade is necessary, working with an experience realtor who can guide you through the remodel is the best and most cost-effective way to go. And if a total remodel is needed, do consult with a certified kitchen or bathroom designer too.

Quality refurbished cabinets, new flooring, a few new appliances, and fresh paint made a world of difference in this kitchen. It sold fast and brought a great return on investment.