5 Ways to Improve Your Kitchen Before Listing Your Home

By Keith Loria

If you’re like most homeowners, you undoubtedly have a wish list full of home renovations in the back of your mind at any given moment. But for those looking to sell, real estate professionals across the board agree that if you’re going to invest money into your home prior to a move, the safest investment with the most return on your money will come from renovating the kitchen. 

More than just a central gathering spot for families and friends, the kitchen is typically one of the first areas house hunters ask about. In addition, when it comes to looking at listings on real estate websites, kitchen photos are viewed more often than photos showcasing other areas throughout the home. 

After all, families spend more time in the kitchen than any other room in the house, be it sharing a meal, talking about the events of the day, doing homework or baking for a special occasion. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the kitchen is considered the heart of the home. And people often use their hearts to make buying decisions.

Most real estate professionals will tell you that investing in your kitchen can help your home sell faster and at a better price. While this may be true, you don’t need to make major upgrades to give your kitchen a facelift. In fact, just making the space more visually appealing to potential buyers is enough. 

Here are five easy ways to improve your kitchen before putting your home on the market:

1. Add Energy Star Appliances. Today’s green-conscious homeowners demand top-quality kitchen appliances with style and efficiency, and investing in new appliances may be the best thing one can do before selling a home. By replacing your old appliances with Energy Star ones, you’re letting the buyer know that you have put thought into adding sustainable elements into the home design. Plus, nothing turns off a potential buyer quicker than seeing old, dingy appliances.

2. Replace Your Backsplash. Adding a bright, colorful backsplash is an eye-catching way to ensure that potential buyers remember your kitchen. Not only does a strong backsplash protect your kitchen walls from water, oil and other elements, it’s also a great look that can be incorporated into any kitchen. Regardless of your kitchen’s style, a backsplash will accentuate whatever look you’re aiming for.

3. Restore Cabinetry. Cabinets that have fading paint or broken handles are going to scare people away, so at the very least, be sure to repaint any cabinets that are in bad shape. And don’t forget to replace any broken fixtures. If necessary, hire a cabinet-improving company to resurface or reface your cabinets. If you decide to go big and replace everything, think about adding pullout drawers, a lazy Susan in corner units and adjustable shelves. Not only will this improve the functionality of the kitchen, it’ll also go a long way toward keeping things better organized. 

4. Add Furniture. Kitchen remodeling doesn’t have to stop at the cabinets and appliances. Think outside the box and add new furniture to the mix. Whether it’s a breakfast nook, tables and chairs, island carts, or bar stools, adding furniture to the space will help create a welcoming feel for those coming to view the home. 

5. Improve the Lighting. Don’t rely on the dingy overhead light—or even the small light from the microwave—to brighten up the space. By adding lighting to key areas of the kitchen, you can attract buyers who love to cook or entertain. Be sure to have plenty of lighting above the stove, sink, island and family dinner table.

For more information about kitchen renovations, contact our office today.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2014. All rights reserved.