Kitchen Upgrades for a Quick Sale

Kitchen Upgrades for a Quick Sale

Posted by John P. Bradford // November 11, 2014

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As you prepare to stage and sell your home you will first want to assess where you can do some work to upgrade, investing a little with the hopes of getting a higher sale price. Before you start down this renovation road, it is worth knowing that when it comes to helping sell your home quickly, kitchen upgrades have the highest Return on Investment (ROI) of any room in your home.

To help with your home’s kitchen rejuvenation, here are some upgrades to consider:

1. Appliances

Your kitchen appliances are the easiest place to start upgrading when it comes to your kitchen’s look and feel. While you do not necessarily have to go out and purchase the latest and greatest appliances on the market, look to add those appliances that are modern, energy efficient, and even technology advanced. If you have recently replaced a major kitchen appliance and are unsure if you need to upgrade again, a good general rule of thumb is that appliances should be less than three years old.

2. Think Small

You do not necessarily have to spend a lot of money to make an impact on your kitchen’s appearance. Changing out old and grimy sink faucets or the “Hot” and “Cold” knobs can instantly make your sink look brand new. You can also get far by installing new light fixtures, replacing often outdated and harsh fluorescent lighting. Let your appliances shine like the stars (of the kitchen) they are and bathe them in good lighting!

3. What do Your Cabinets Say About You?

Turns out, quite a lot. Your cabinets are often the first thing to hit your home’s potential buyers so setting the tone from the outset can be very important. While replacing the cabinets is always an option, it is also expensive. Consider less expensive alternatives like a paint job, a new door, or even new hardware like pulls and knobs. Or you can even opt to remove the doors altogether, going with a clean, organized minimalist aesthetic.

4. Focus on the Finish(es)

If you are going to replace your countertops or flooring, understand that the materials, colors, and finishing are all related. Think about installing counters made of solid materials like granite or slate. For the flooring, wood and stone result in the highest kitchen upgrade ROI, far above and beyond the likes of vinyl rolled or tiled alternatives.

When you decide it is time to sell your home, be sure to sit down and review the potential costs for upgrades along with the ROI you are likely to see for each renovation. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, but always start with a budget and an understanding of what you will get in return.