According to Carla Hill of the Realty Times….It’s a tool used by house flippers all across the nation. Stagers know its power. Real estate agents push its importance. What is this not-so-well-kept secret of real estate?

A Kitchen Can Sell A House

Kitchens are where we spend much of our time and most of that is with our families. It’s the room where we nourish our bodies and our spirits.  Kitchens are integral to entertaining and in today’s age of open floor plans, they’re a focal piece of many family rooms. It’s because of this that kitchens play such an important role in the buying and selling process. This one room is the showpiece of the house.

You’ll see it every day and your guests will see it during most visits. This means buyers want homes with up-to-date kitchens.  Kitchens, however, can be one of the most expensive rooms to renovate.  This means buyers may want a home with an up to date kitchen but they aren’t willing to tackle this problem themselves. Most buyers want a kitchen that is ready to use the day they move in.

What do buyers look for in up-to-date kitchens? A lot of this depends on what price range your home is in.  The main thing to remember as a seller is to not price yourself out of your market.  If homes in your neighborhood are selling for $100,000 with tidy, but not luxury kitchens, then this is no time to upgrade to granite & travertine at the price tag of $40,000+.   Scope out the competition. Use open houses in your area or MLS listings to find out what your competitors kitchens look like.  Do area homes have new solid wood cabinets and granite counters in today’s designer colors?  You’ll be wise to consider making the same move.  Are they including new stainless appliances and add-ons like dishwashers & wine-coolers?

Are you in a higher end neighborhood?  It’s time to think high end.  Your older home may have a highly functional kitchen but a buyer will take one look at your formica counters and white appliances and become lost in the stress of how much money and time it would take to remodel.  If you don’t want to put in the time yourself to make upgrades then you’ll have to make concessions in the price.  Don’t become overwhelmed. Sometimes a kitchen update can mean doing just a few minor changes.  Change the paint color to a warm, neutral tone.  Get rid of any clutter.  Update your appliances, paint your cabinets, change the pulls, or get a high-end looking counter for a fraction of the cost. You might even save a bundle by doing much of the work yourself. The bottom line is a kitchen can sell a home.   Do a little research and call Papitto Properties at 619-993-1565 to find out what your kitchen needs to make it competitive with area listings.