If you want to earn top-dollar on your house, you need to start sprucing it up, starting with the kitchen.
Homebuyers can be very choosy. Before listing your home, be aware that buyers will inspect every inch of the kitchen, including the countertops, backsplash, cabinets, and so on. If a home doesn’t tick all of their boxes, they won’t hesitate to make an offer elsewhere. Your kitchen can make or break your sale.
If you’re planning on putting your home on the market with a property management company, invest in the following kitchen improvements to make your home more appealing to prospective buyers:
#1 Freshen Up Your Cabinets
Custom cabinetry will wow homebuyers, however, this kitchen upgrade can be extremely expensive, costing $500 to $1,200 per linear foot. If you’re on a budget, you can work with what you have by repainting instead of replacing your cabinets.
A fresh coat of paint on your cabinets will give your kitchen an instant face-lift. The common cabinet color is white, however, you’ll want to be careful when it comes to your color palette. It should be cohesive with your home’s overall color scheme. To play it safe, stick to neutrals such as beige and gray.
#2 Change the Countertops
Countertops contribute to your kitchen’s overall appeal. Many homebuyers will move on if they see that the kitchen has laminate countertops instead of granite. Changing your countertops can be costly, but if your existing counters show signs of wear and tear (e.g. scratches and water stains), this upgrade is a must. Aside from being an eyesore, dirty counters are a cleanliness issue that homebuyers aren’t willing to overlook.
If you can’t splurge on a stone countertop, you can opt for tile counters. Even though they are a lot cheaper, they’re just as appealing.
#3 Upgrade the Backsplash
Does your home’s backsplash look like it’s from the 80s? Bring your kitchen to the 21st century by installing a new backsplash. Not only does it add to your kitchen’s visual appeal, but it also makes the space easier to clean.
Unless your home has a theme, stay away from tiles with bold patterns. Instead, stick to the classics such as white, beige, and other neutrals. If you’re on a budget, you turn it into a DIY project by buying peel-and-stick tiles from your local home maintenance store.
#4 Replace Your Fixtures
No one wants to move into a house that has lime-stained fixtures. If your fixtures are beyond cleaning, the easy fix is to replace the faucet and sprayer. It will take you no more than an hour, and you’ll need nothing but a wrench and other basic tools.
Take things further by making your kitchen fixtures match. Having matching fixtures is an excellent way to make your kitchen feel more cohesive. For instance, you could choose fixtures that are all gold, black, or silver.
#5 Repaint the Walls
Repainting the walls is an inexpensive but effective way to transform any room. This is especially true if your home has stained walls due to poor plumbing. Choose light and neutral colors to make the kitchen feel more spacious. You could also add an accent wall in a citrus shade such as orange or yellow.
Keep in mind that if your walls are moldy, you may want to get rid of mold before you paint over your walls. Paint does not stop mold from growing. Hence, your homebuyer’s health will be at risk if you don’t get to the source of the mold problem.
Since your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover mold, you will have to pay out-of-pocket. In this case, you’ll benefit from hiring a property manager who has a list of local vendors that can complete the job for a reasonable price.
#6 Put in New Flooring
Damaged and stained floors are a deal-breaker for many homebuyers. To make sure that your house sells, replace the flooring with hardwood, glazed ceramic tiles, or marble-textured tiles. As a rule of thumb, avoid anything that looks like it belongs in your grandmother’s kitchen.
Don’t forget to choose the flooring that goes with the rest of the room. For instance, if your kitchen has light-colored walls and cabinets, opting for darker flooring can balance it out. The cost to replace the flooring can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000, but you may be able to negotiate a lower price by partnering with a property management firm.
#7 Install an Island
Installing an island takes up space but it also adds more space. You can use the island as storage or as additional counter space. You could also install a built-in cooktop or stove on your island.
When installing an island, be sure to consider the space that you have. Your homebuyers don’t want to deal with an oversized island that will make moving around the kitchen impossible. The cost to install a kitchen island ranges anywhere between $3,000 to $5,000, so be sure to thoroughly plan the layout before starting the build.
How much will it cost to upgrade your kitchen?
According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to renovate a kitchen in the U.S. is $25,047 or $150 per square foot. However, this number largely depends on upgrades included in the renovation.
Doing the work yourself will save you money, however, it is time-consuming. To sell your home as soon as possible, it would be best to hire a team of professionals. However, if you have the luxury of time, you can turn the kitchen remodel into a DIY project.
Conclusion
The kitchen is one of the most important parts of the home. It is used every day, which is why it’s the deciding factor for many homebuyers.
If you’re planning on remodeling your kitchen, call the property managers at Luxury Property Care. Our team will oversee the project to ensure that everything is done exactly the way you want it to be. What’s more, we’ll negotiate with vendors on your behalf to get you the best deals.
Call us at (561) 944 – 2992 or fill out our contact form to learn more.
