Do Kitchens Help Sell a House?

One of the most important areas of any property is the kitchen. Not only is this a functional space for food preparation, but it’s also a hub for entertainment and socialising. The kitchen can ultimately make or break your sale, because it’s one of the areas of a home that is most focused on by the media. Modern kitchens in showcase homes have become artistic studios, using cutting edge equipment and luxury features to create the potential of culinary art. As the seller, you can cash in on this trend by tantalizing buyers with a clean, modern workspace that beckons them into the kitchen and surrounding home.

You may be wondering if you’ll need to take on costly renovations in order to present your kitchen in the right light. This will depend on the current state of your kitchen as well as your local competition. It’s a good idea to consult with a knowledgeable real estate agent before you begin any work on your kitchen. LocalAgentFinder is a great resource to get you started. Find out how it works and start comparing agent proposals to learn more about where your property fits into the local market.

Generally, you’ll first want to make sure that your kitchen is in good working order, clean, and up to a modern standard. Dirty kitchens are an instant turn-off to buyers, who may also assume that the rest of the house will be in a similar state of disrepair. Old appliances and outdated features can make it look like you haven’t put adequate care into your property over the years. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a full renovation, but putting a bit of time and effort into kitchen presentation and appliances can make your property really stand out from the competition.

The following are a few simple, cheap, and easy things you can do to give an old kitchen a breath of fresh air.

Give the Kitchen a Full Spring Clean:

It’s common to have a kitchen filled with baubles, trinkets, and odds and ends that you accumulate over the years. Those kitchen magnets or novelty shot glasses may bring back memories to you, but to the buyer all of this will look like clutter. The first step towards revitalizing your kitchen is to clear everything away. This makes your floors, kitchen surfaces, and bench tops look larger and more spacious automatically. Be aware that buyers will also take a peek in your drawers and cupboards, so these should be cleaned as well.

Put Effort and Elbow Grease into a Thorough Cleaning:

After you’ve cleared away the excess clutter, it’s time to put some physical effort into getting rid of old dust, grime, and surface stains. Give the floor a hard scrub to get rid of dirt that has built up over time, and pay attention to ovens, dishwashers, range tops, and range hoods. These areas are grease magnets, but with some effort you can make sure that they sparkle. The last thing you want is for a potential buyer to touch the stove and walk away with dirt on their hands!

Touch up Outstanding Maintenance Issues:

If you’ve been putting off repairing a leaky faucet or flickering lights, now is the time to get around to it. Test out your doors, cupboards, and drawers for any squeaks or jammed tracks. Buyers are usually looking for a home that is ready to live in, and don’t want to deal with maintenance before they can do so.

Freshen Up the Fragrance

Appeal to all five senses of your potential buyers. Take the time to air out your kitchen with open windows. Cooking smells can linger, and can potentially put off buyers. One trick to employ before open inspections is to pop something sweet into the oven, so that buyers are greeted with the cosy aroma of home baking.

Drench the Kitchen in Light

There’s nothing like a bright, sunny kitchen to make your home seem warm and inviting. All of those newly sparkly surfaces in your kitchen will look even better when they’re lit by a gentle glow. Draw back the curtains to let the sun stream in, or turn on all of the kitchen lights on cloudy inspection days.

When to Consider Renovation

Your kitchen may also benefit from a further renovation, but this will depend not only on the age and state of your home but what comparable homes in your area are like. Investing in a full kitchen upgrade could potentially add value to your home. Before you spend money on your kitchen, you will probably want to have a chat with your choice of real estate agent to find out if this will add value in your case. You can compare agents on LocalAgentFinder to find an individual who is experienced with adding value to properties for expert advice.

Aging appliances are one area that could be good candidates for investment. Most new appliances today are designed to save energy, which buyers will be looking for. New appliances not only are energy-saving devices, but they also will be in better working order. Other areas to renovate could include replacing your sink, putting down new flooring, adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls, or replacing old drawer knobs and handles.

As you invest money in renovating your kitchen, be wary of overcapitalisation. This can happen if you invest more money into your property than you can possibly make back in your eventual sale. If you upgrade your property beyond the standards of comparable homes in your suburb, for example, the property will be out of the price range of many potential buyers. You’ll end up reducing your asking price and taking a loss. This is why it’s so important to consult with a knowledgeable real estate agent before making any significant upgrades. With a little bit of research, you can avoid the trap of overcapitalisation. Ask your real estate agent which features are important to your demographic, and what they will pay for them. By catering to the needs of your prospective buyers, you can stay on budget and maximise your returns.

At the other end of the spectrum is the danger of neglecting the kitchen. Putting time and effort into improving this part of the home will be reflected with a higher property value, and this effort could be the detail that seals the deal.

What’s next?

You can prepare for selling your home by comparing agents with the free, no-obligation service at LocalAgentFinder. Register now and start getting in touch with local agents who will have valuable information regarding your local demographic and how to improve your home’s value.