Easy Ways to Update Your Kitchen For Sale
When buying a new house, everyone has different priorities to consider.
Form some, it’s the location. For many it’s the number of bedrooms. And for a few, it might be whether it’s got some luxury appointments, like a pool, outdoor kitchen or large backyard.
But no matter what, at each open inspection they attend, they’ll be judging a home on how it looks, feels and functions.
And that’s why it’s important as a seller, to get your home sale-ready before the process begins.
But where do you start?
Many experts believe that to win a buyer over, they need to make a connection with your home. So if you focus on the rooms that are most likely to create that connection, your chances of attracting a buyer - and the best offer - increases considerably.
So it goes without saying, that the kitchen is a good starting point. Why?
Because it’s the heart of the home.
In many cases, it’s the social hub that anchors a family together - making breakfast, cooking meals, hosting guests, casually chatting after a day at work - and is likely the one place that buyers will spend the most time focusing on when they’re comparing properties.
They’ll open cupboards, look at appliances, check taps and measure spaces.
And the number one question that will cross their minds (and affect any offer they might put in)? How much will I have to spend on it if it needs an overhaul.
So it pays to get it right, and do what you can to make a great impression - not only will it help buyers feel more drawn to your home, but will likely attract a better sale price.
The next question then, is : how much should I invest in my kitchen to make it look appealing, without breaking the bank?
This will come down to condition. Is it quite functional, just a bit run down? Or are more substantial renos likely necessary to bring it up to scratch?
Either way, here’s a few things you can do - on any budget - to update your kitchen and get it sale-ready… without overcapitalising.
Sparkling clean makes ‘em keen.
The first - and easiest - thing you can do (even if you have an older kitchen) is to make sure it’s sparkling clean.
Put yourself in a buyers shoes - would you get a great impression if you walked through a visibly dirty kitchen? Probably not. In fact, you would likely high-tail it outta there pretty quickly.
So if you’ve no funds to make any physical changes, don’t underestimate the power of making sure your kitchen is spotless - and get scrubbing.
Empty your pantry, throw out everything that’s old, out of date or off and neatly organise the things you put back in.
Do the same with your cupboards, and use the extra space you create to hide away any smaller appliances that usually sit on your benchtop - because decluttering adds a feeling of space.
Check cupboard doors, tighten up loose screws and lubricate any squeaky hinges.
Polish any stainless steel surfaces like sinks, taps, handles, cooktops and larger appliances.
And don’t overlook the windows - making sure they are clean can make a huge difference to the amount of natural light that comes in, and the views buyers get when they look out.
But the simplest thing of all?
Remove magnets, stickers and paperwork from your fridge, pack away key-hanging stations and remove photos, mementos and knick knacks - ensuring your kitchen is a blank canvas not only helps buyers see their own possessions moving in, but also makes the space feel so much larger.
The goal here is to simply work with what you’ve got and enhance it where you can.
A big facelift on a small budget.
Just like botox, this is the treatment your kitchen needs to enhance its short-term appeal.
If the functionality’s there but you’ve got a small budget to make some aesthetic repairs, there are some quick and easy things you can do to update your kitchen space.
Start small - replace any old, worn or rusty plugs or handles.
And if the cupboard doors themselves have seen better days, simply repaint or replace their faces.
Likewise, a stained or scratched benchtop can easily be resurfaced, scuffed up taps can be replaced and rangehood filters, covers and lights swapped out for new ones.
Next, could the space be used more effectively? Is there room to put in an island bench or extend a little to create a breakfast bar?
Then turn your focus to the appliances. Is the dishwasher, oven or grill broken or on it's last legs? If so, that’s a big buyer turnoff.
Why? Because buyers know they’ll have to replace them as soon as they move in… and that’s a headache (and extra expense) they don’t need.
And finally, consider giving the room a fresh lick of paint - not only will it make the space feel fresh, but will help get rid of any greasy odours and smells.
Strap in, we’re going full reno.
If you’re convinced that your kitchen is beyond repair, and is going to significantly impact on your sale price, by all means, go ahead and renovate.
Remodelling your kitchen is a big undertaking, and the sky’s the limit, so ideally this would start well before you decide to sell your home.
But when there’s essentially a blank canvas in front of you, it’s easy to get carried away.
So to avoid overcapitalising, remember - most buyers will look for simple functionality, freshness and a pleasant place to cook dinner over lavish tapware, a built-in wine fridge or extravagant feature lighting.
Think about the size of the kitchen, and the kinds of things that will appeal to buyers.
Plenty of bench space for meal prep, ample storage for appliances, great lighting and easy connection with the rest of the home - especially when it’s open plan and shares space with the living zone.
Plus, make sure any new surfaces are durable and designed for easy cleaning.
Keep colours and tones fresh and modern, but most importantly neutral, to appeal to the widest pool of buyers possible. While you may love a bright red splashback and think it adds stylish flair, it certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
With these things in mind, feel free to update your kitchen as you see fit, because it’s certain to have a positive effect on your home sale.
As the focal point of a home, the kitchen is a pretty big selling point.
So it’s crucial to make sure it’s looking it’s best when buyers start piling through.
And while we’ve all heard kitchen renovation horror stories, where budgets were blown out of the water, it certainly doesn’t have to be that way.
But whether it’s a full reno, or a simple facelift, with a little time and effort, anyone can make the most of the space and really give their kitchen, and home, a boost come sales time.
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DISCLAIMER: All recommendations made by We Connect Property are general in nature and not to be relied upon as legal or financial advice. To ensure accuracy, we always strongly recommend seeking independent, professional advice tailored to your specific situation before making any investment or financial decisions.