Most real estate agents know that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a home. When potential buyers enter a home, they often head for the kitchen to see if they like it. If they don’t, it can be harder to close the sale.
You can help your seller get their home ready for the market by reviewing these kitchen improvement tips with them.
Sweep and Clean
Just like when you first studied for your real estate exam and got your license, you need to start at the very beginning! This means giving the kitchen a completely clean and sweep.
Have your homeowner totally clean out the cabinets, drawers, and cabinet fronts. Scrub down the floors, backsplashes, sink, faucet, and appliances. Then clear off the countertops and clean out the refrigerator. Clean the garbage disposal and dishwasher too with special detergents that are found in most grocery store soap aisles.
Having the kitchen spotless and cleared of clutter will make it look better and bigger. Now that you have done the basics, you can move on to more kitchen improvements before listing the home.
Repaint
After giving the space a good clean, painting the walls can do a lot for cheap. If the kitchen lacks sunlight, opt for a brighter color to make the space more cheery.
Repainting the kitchen offers a lot of bang for the buck and only costs a few hundred dollars.
Put In a New Backsplash
The backsplash protects the walls from water and food splatter. But it also can make a statement and make the kitchen look much better. If the seller has an old backsplash, think about having it replaced.
They can do it themselves if they have some DIY skills. There are many types of backsplashes available at many prices.
Buy a New Dishwasher
Dishwashers have evolved in the past 10 years. Today, you can purchase an excellent, quiet dishwasher that cleans better than anything you had years ago. It’s usually necessary to spend $600 or $700 for a dishwasher that is quiet and effective.
Consider the Cabinets
It usually pays to do something to the kitchen cabinets, but should you buy new or just refinish them? If money is an issue, you can do a lot with cabinets by simply giving them a new coat of paint.
Replace the Flooring
A damaged and stained floor can make the kitchen look worse. If the flooring is really old, it can cause water damage to your subflooring, too.
The homeowner should think about how the rest of the first floor looks when replacing the kitchen flooring. Going for a dark material can balance the room if there is a lot of light streaming in from windows.
But if the kitchen has dark walls and cabinets, a white or off-white floor can bring a lot of brightness.
Put In New Counters
This takes more work, but it can be done affordably. Adding new and improved countertops can dramatically improve the kitchen and make it more appealing to buyers. Some of the most popular materials today are cement, quartz, and butcher’s block.
Add Another Sink
Does the kitchen have an island? If the homeowner has the budget, think about adding another sink for scrubbing dishes and cooking. This is a great upgrade for a big kitchen because there’s a good chance several people might cook a meal together.
Making improvements to a seller’s kitchen is one of the most cost-effective ways to get a home sold.