This guest blog was written by Lindus Construction. Lindus Construction is proud to have served over 75,000 happy customers in Western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities since the company’s founding in 1979. One Call. One Contractor.
In the realm of real estate, deciding how much money to invest in preparing your home for a sale feels like a tightrope walk. Nowhere is this truer than in the kitchen. Today’s homebuyers have refined tastes and it’s important to create an atmosphere within the kitchen that leaves them eager to place an offer. Here’s what you need to know!
What’s That Smell?
While an amazing scent cannot sell your home, unpleasant odors may send potential homebuyers packing. Run the garbage disposal as needed and empty trash bins prior to a showing. Create a pleasant lingering scent by baking cookies or using a vase of fresh cut flowers as a centerpiece for your kitchen table. Refrain from having a full load of dirty dishes in the dishwasher during home showings.
Time to Clean
Whether you do it yourself of hire a pro, a key component to selling your home is a sparkling clean kitchen. This includes cleaning the sink, countertops, floors, appliances and cabinets. Don’t forget the interior of cabinets and drawers. Prospective homebuyers are likely inspecting them for cleanliness and evaluating them for spaciousness. At a minimum, polish hardware. Changing outdated hardware could be a game-changer.
Banish Clutter
While your norm may be a countertop full of small appliances and cookbooks, all potential homebuyers see is chaos. Eliminate all unnecessary items from the kitchen counter to establish order and make the space seem as large as possible. Stow away sponges and dish soap. Take down refrigerator magnets, and remove collections you have displayed on top of your cabinets.
Embrace Light
A kitchen can appear dingy without ample lighting. Craft an inviting atmosphere by cleaning windows and leaving shades open. Create an illusion of illumination and space with a strategically-placed mirror. A clamp lamp or undercabinet lighting can be utilized for spots in need of additional lighting. Evaluate the wattage of the bulbs currently in your kitchen and replace anything below 60 watts.
Replace Appliances
If your kitchen appliances are outdated or in bad shape, it’s wise to consider replacing them. Appliances in varying finishes can dissuade prospective homebuyers. New burner grates on a range enhance its appearance without incurring the cost of a brand-new unit. Be sure that the interior of your oven and dishwasher are pristine, as it’s highly probable potential buyers will open them for a closer look.
Stage the Island
An adequate number of chairs around the island helps potential buyers visualize entertaining friends and family. But take care not to place too many chairs around an island, which can make it feel crowded. Staging the kitchen island with placemats, wine glasses and a floral arrangement creates a homey vibe.
What made you fall in love with your kitchen? Let us know in the comments section.
Featured image via Café
