The San Diego Real Estate BLOG

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell #8: Killer Kitchens

All right, it all comes down to this, quite possibly your home’s biggest selling point: The Kitchen.

Kitchens absolutely make or break home sales. Even if they don’t cook, everyone wants an awesome kitchen. Every single guest that ever comes to you home will not only see, but will also often spend quite a bit of time in your kitchen. In fact, the Kitchen is a home’s second most “lived in” room behind only the actual living room.

While everyone is going to want a designer catering-capable kitchen, even a humble eat-in can be a HUGE selling point if it is presented correctly.

Photo: HomeEpiphany.com

STAINLESS. STEEL. APPLIANCES.

Say it with me one more time:

STAINLESS.

STEEL.

APPLIANCES.

Everyone wants them, and you basically have to have them if you want your home to stand out at all. These have been the standard for several years, are still the standard, and show absolutely ZERO sings of going away anytime soon.

Their clean, modern design looks right at home in even the most “homey” kitchen, and it is one thing that most buyers absolutely REQUIRE when looking at a home. Buying a home and moving are daunting enough propositions in and of themselves, no one want to add buying and installing appliances to that list.

DECLUTTER AND LET IN THE LIGHT

By this point I hope you expected this one.

The overflowing kitchen utensil jars and the spice rack that have exploded all over the counter, the burned out light bulb in the oven hood, the overflowing trashcan, and the pile of mix-matched “stuff” on top of the fridge all have to go. This includes non-daily use appliances.

Think you can get away with stashing all of that in the cabinets?

Think again.

Buyers WILL open the cabinets, and if they are cluttered inside, it WILL count against you. The fact is that much like the closets in our

A few strategically placed items can help fill the space and create a “look” so the kitchen doesn’t look TOO sparse, but when in doubt err on the side of caution.

Your goal should be something like the picture above.

Photo: Cleanipedia.com

CLEAN. CLEAN. CLEAN. AND CLEAN SOME MORE.

DEEP clean the kitchen yourself:

Inside the fridge, the countertops, under the sink, behind the stove if possible.

Once you think it’s clean, go deeper.

Then hire a professional to come in and go even deeper. Do this especially before shooting the photos when listing your property.

Photo: MarthaStewart.com

GET NEW HARDWARE

If you are in love with you current hardware, make sure it is all in good, working condition and free of any obvious blemishes. Every door and cabinet etc. should have a working pull.

If your hardware looks a bit dated, consider buying a new, matching set. New hardware is VERY easy to install, and most sets are not overly expensive somewhere like HomeDepot.com or Lowes.com. This little touch can really make your kitchen look a LOT better.

Photo: HomeDecorIdeas.com

CONSIDER GETTING NEW COUNTERS

While this is a more expensive option, new countertops, especially granite will really “WOW” potential buyers. While not as universal as the Stainless Steel Appliances discussed above, stone countertops are still VERY high on most buyers’ either “want” or “must have” lists.

Photo: Pri.org

SMART SCENTS

As a final touch, while showing your home, be sure to keep cooking foods with a distinctive smell to a minimum. YOU may love the smell of bacon or curry, but there is now way to tell if potential buyers will. Since smell is the strongest sense tied to memory, your home could be “leaving a bad taste in their mouth” (or nose) without even knowing it.

Did you forget this tip and cook herring the night before your big open house? Not to worry: a little bit of Lysol and the old standby of a nice, scented candle or even fresh-baked cookies are always a good way to mask any funky smells.

THE YARBROUGH GROUP COMPLETE HOMESELLER’S PREP LIST

Check out our previous BLOG entries about home staging and prep to get your home ready to sell FAST and for TOP DOLLAR!!!

Home Seller Prep #1: Initial Impressions

Home Seller Prep #2: Lovely Landscaping

Home Seller Prep #3: Backyard Basics

Home Seller Prep #4: Interior Basics

Home Seller Prep #5: Living Room

Home Seller Prep #6: Dining Room

Home Seller Prep #7: Beautiful Bedrooms

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