#4 Quick Fixes to Update Your Kitchen Before You Sell Your Home

Home Staging Tips and Suggestions by Melinda Potcher

http://MAPConsultants.houzz.com

What a great way to add value to your home!  Yes, you have all heard the saying; “Kitchen and Bathrooms Sell Houses”, so why not make a small effort to spruce up your kitchen BEFORE you list the home for sale?  Of course, I always advise you consult your Professional Home Stager and your Realtor prior to making any drastic changes to get their input as to the ROI (return on your investment).

Change Up Your Kitchen Cabinet Hardware (and hinges) – You can go 2 ways with this tip – remove all the existing hardware, strip any old paint off and spray a new updated color and reinstall, or simply replace the hardware and hinges with a new updated style.  This year we are seeing black metal finishes in hardware and lighting fixture trim kits.

Lighting – make sure if you have recessed can lights that you are using the right bulbs for them – no curly CFLs especially not for photo day, as they will not only look funny, but they cast a green glow in photographs.

Back splash – quick and easy fix to really make a difference in your kitchen is a new/updated back splash.  Additionally, if you choose to DIY (Do-It-Yourself) it will not take too much time or money to install, and this project is not as expensive as you might think if you decide to hire a pro.

Flooring – This can be quick and easy, but it can also be expensive, it really just depends on the appropriate flooring choice for your kitchen, and I want to stress how important it is to consult your Professional Home Stager and Realtor prior to making a bigger change like flooring.  Style, taste level, quality and execution of installation are all important factors to consider BEFORE changing out your flooring.  New flooring done correctly can make a significant impact on the look and value of your kitchen and home.

Here’s an easy and worthwhile tip to updating your kitchen – deep clean all your surfaces – this means your cabinet doors and inside shelving, the baseboards and trim molding between your cabinets and your flooring, the appliances, the floors, (grout lines if you have kitchen tile) the sinks, the caulk lines between the counters and back splash (if you have them), under the kitchen sink, behind the refrigerator, under any overhangs of the counters, and even the globes and pendants of any light fixtures.  If you don’t have the time or patience, hire a reputable cleaning professional to do the deep cleaning prior to listing your home for sale.

Your Bathrooms should get equal attention to your kitchen – replace old caulking at tub surrounds, sink basins and around the toilet base.  Deep clean these rooms applying the same tips listed above. Pay attention to lighting, cabinet hardware and updates and you will be well on your way to getting your home sold quickly and for as much money as the market will bear.