Kitchens (The Heart Of The Home and The Sale)

Recently I was showing property in the Alpharetta area.

My client's professed to be huge entertainers. They are relocating to Georgia from Connecticut for their retirement. When I questioned them about what they like to do, among other things, I learned that they LOVE to entertain! They enjoy entertaining throughout holiday time as well as what ever occasion (family, business or social).

One of their "search criteria hot-buttons" was a top of the line kitchen -- since they spend so much time in this area of the home. They "want" and "need" a kitchen with all the bells and whistles. High ceilings with an adjacent Keeping Room and breakfast area.

During our tour of homes, I must admit, I became a little embarrassed at the caliber of kitchens we were seeing during our visits.

The various home owners and Sellers seemed to think it's OK to leave dirty dishes from last night in the kitchen sink or on the counter. Some home owners had obviously taken action to update their kitchens with the latest features and fixtures. However, in several cases, their obviously amateurish skills illustrated their lack of knowledge or capability for the job. This is a huge turnoff to prospective buyers. If you are planning to do a home maker-over make sure you have the capability for the job you are about to jump into.

I don't often do this, but a colleague -- Tisha Gay -- has just completed an article that is right on point and so I share it with you here. Enjoy.

The kitchen is arguably used more than any other room in the house, which makes it the most important room to stage in your home. Potential home buyers are looking for a kitchen that is as beautiful as it is functional.

Buyers want to view it without any unnecessary counter top appliances and clutter. By showcasing your kitchen in the best possible light, you can potentially sell your home faster and; increase the closing price. Even in a slow real estate market, making your kitchen attractive to a buyer could make the difference.

Clean up the kitchen
Studies have shown that one of the dirtiest places in the home is the kitchen. Before you list, pull out those rubber gloves and give everything a good scrub so that the kitchen sparkles. Replace unsightly floor tiles or sand/re-finish the hardwoods. And in a worst-case scenario, consider a complete floor makeover.

Pay special attention to the cabinetry; in older homes, it’s common to see cracks in the beaded caulking between the ceiling and the trim above the cupboards. For less than $10, you can buy a pre-mixed tube of crack filler and make it look like new. Also, to give the kitchen an inexpensive face lift, consider replacing the fixtures – an affordable way to give doors and drawers a second wind.

Clutter is a kitchen killer
Kitchens are the focal point of almost every home. A great rule of thumb for the staging of a kitchen is to leave no more than two appliances on your counter. After you’ve uncluttered the kitchen counter, brighten and soften the space by adding some fresh fruit, new dishtowels, a cookbook, and a plant or flowers.

Modernizing today will help you sell tomorrow
Modernizing your kitchen can help you sell your home for years to come. Renovating your kitchen now will let you enjoy new appliances while boosting the value of your home for the future. While you may want to take specific appliances with you, stainless steel can make almost any kitchen sing.

Another way to add value to your kitchen is to install concealed appliances – hiding the dishwasher and fridge, for example, can really spice up your kitchen for buyers. Also popular are microwaves with convection ovens (prices can vary between $200 to $900 for higher-end stainless built-ins) – another appliance quickly becoming a staple in most modern kitchens.

If you can’t replace appliances, be sure to have them repaired and cleaned. It’s also a good idea to clean your fridge and stove, as buyers will almost always open oven and fridge doors.

Consider replacing your counters, especially if there are stains or cracks. And white counters can leave buyers feeling bland about a kitchen (and ultimately about buying the house). If granite, marble, and corian are not in your budget, there are laminates that look very close to the real thing.

Lighting
Take the time to make sure all the existing light fixtures have working light bulbs. Make sure the blinds are open on all the windows and the under cabinet lighting is on. You may even want to add a small table lamp or two to accent a dark corner.

… And the kitchen sink
Another kitchen remodeling idea is to upgrade your “sinkware.” New faucets, soap dispensers and sinks (whether you are reglazing or replacing altogether) are affordable ways to give the kitchen an immediate facelift. Don’t forget, buyers love to turn on the kitchen faucet when touring a home. They want a spotless sink that looks clean (without a lot of scuff marks or any grime) enough to wash their dishes in.

The kitchen is the most important room and biggest selling feature in your house. Staging it properly can make every potential buyer say, “this could be my kitchen.”

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the State Of Georgia. Sara is easily reached at 404-660-2481 or e-mail her at sara@SaraHibbard.com. Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate Is On Your Mind!