Kitchens Sell Houses
HOW CAN A GREAT KITCHEN HELP YOU SELL YOUR HOUSE?
When it comes to selling your house, minor transformations can go a long way toward attracting buyers. Since the kitchen is considered the heart of a home, the area where the family spend time together during the day, one that’s in optimal condition will boost the total value and appeal of your house.
A few minor tweaks can help you attain the perfect kitchen setting, as well as eliminate the need for a complete home renovation, which goes hand-in-hand with enormous expenditure. The key is to keep it simple, but beautiful!
According to Neale Whitaker on Realestate.com.au’s blog, the old adage that ‘kitchens and bathrooms sell houses’ is certainly true. “They are the big-ticket items and the kitchen and bathrooms are the spaces people will be most concerned about spending on when considering buying a house.” says Whitaker.
When it comes to setting your renovation budget, remember that kitchens offer the best return on investment and it is generally advised that you spend between 3% to 6% of your home value on your kitchen. This ensures you are maximising the financial benefit when it comes to sale time.
The five key areas to focus on when updating your kitchen for sale are:
1. Storage
It might seem like a no-brainer, but ensuring there is ample storage in the cabinetry is a must. Many old houses have pokey corner kitchens and limited overhead cabinetry. A full floor-to-ceiling cabinetry wall is a great way to maximise storage. Quality cabinetry with durable hinges and hardware is essential.
Anyone who has ever cooked regular meals in a kitchen understands the need for extra space for storage. It often seems like there is never enough room to accommodate everything at once. Adding a special feature like a tasteful pantry or multi-purpose shelving gives a kitchen extra brownie points, and might be just the thing to catch the buyer’s attention.
2. Space
Entertaining space is extremely important to buyers so make sure the remodeled kitchen is an open plan design with, ideally, a central island bench. The island bench not only acts a breakfast bar and dining table but is also very useful for entertaining guests. A butlers pantry or scullery screams luxury so if you have the space, we’d recommend incorporating one in to your design.
3. Appliances
Brand name appliances like Miele, Smeg and Gaggenau are attractive to potential buyers as they portray quality and reliability. A good cooktop, rangehood, oven and dishwasher are non negotiables. Many clients these days opt for an ‘appliance stack’ such as double ovens or an oven / steamer /microwave combo for the ultimate in functionality.
4. Benchtops
Ditch the laminate and invest in stone bench tops to add an instant touch of luxury. Buyers will be drawn to the superior finish of stone and marble especially when contrasting against modern, clean cabinetry.
A kitchen must be minimalist as well as stylish, so as to offer the perfect balance between ergonomics and aesthetics. Every aspect of the kitchen should complement its surrounding area, as well as the design of the rest of your home.
Opting for neutral colours in kitchen design is always a good idea, and leaves personalisation to the buyer’s imagination. While you might be tempted to go all out, utilitarian styling is highly beneficial and offers a modern fresh look to even the most compact kitchen.
5. Splashback
Keep it simple and classy for maximum appeal. Stone splashbacks can be a great way to continue the benchtop finish up the wall. Other options include: glass, tiles, concrete, large format porcelain etc.
Our designers can assist you to set out a clear budget and brief for your kitchen renovation. Arrange a chat with one of our team members today by calling (08) 6101 1190 or by dropping in to our showroom at 156 Onslow Rd, Shenton Park. We’d love to help you realise your next project!