From family meals to entertaining guests, the kitchen truly is the heart of the home. However, when you’re remodeling with the goal of selling, it’s important to ask yourself what the next buyer might be looking for in order to get the best return on your investment. So what do you need to know about the process and how can you get the most bang for your buck? Below are some tips to get you started.
Stay Within Your Budget
As with any remodeling project, your budget is going to be your most important foundation. While there may be big-ticket items that you feel would really enhance the space, it’s important to stay focused and make purchases that fit your budget. A few reminders to tell yourself when considering a purchase are statements like:
- Every purchase needs to be an investment that contributes to your bottom line.
- It’s important to appeal to the masses, not the few.
Neutral Colors and Simplicity Win
A great way to appeal to future buyers is to stick to a neutral color palette. While the idea of striking blue cabinets and granite countertops might be something that you enjoy, it’s important to provide a somewhat blank canvas that buyers can see themselves personalizing and tweaking to match their own style. Bold colors and highly ornate fixtures can become a barrier, as buyers may see them as something they have to change instead of customizing. So keep things simple. Gas ranges, large capacity refrigerators, and islands are popular features, as are neutral colors.
Open the Space
If you have ever worked in a small kitchen in the back of the house, you likely understand the benefit of opening up the kitchen. Open floor plans have been a common trend in recent years and are still a buyer’s go-to preference, so if you have the ability to take down walls during the remodel and create one open space, this is something that could appeal to buyers.
However, there are two things to keep in mind as you consider this option. 1) With more people working from home than ever before, housing needs did change in 2020, so it’s important to consider a kitchen remodel within the context of the entire house, ensuring some private space is left intact. 2) Make sure to consult with a professional before you attempt to remove any walls. If they are load-bearing, not only could the structure become unsafe but it can be a costly process to have them reinstalled. Learn more about that here.
Remember that Small Details Matter
While we talked about staying on budget and keeping the design simple when remodeling your kitchen for resale, it’s important not to neglect the small details. Things that add ease and practicality to preparing food are always a great idea, such as a garbage disposal, a devoted recycling space, or a pot filler faucet over the stove. These items are lower cost and likely won’t break the budget and can be important to potential buyers.
Consult the Experts
Before you begin, it’s always a great idea to enlist the help of experts who have experience with remodeling kitchens or selling remodeled homes. Both contractors and real estate agents can be a great resource when it comes to current trends and what has helped add resale value to homes that have recently sold. Kitchen remodels can be costly, but what’s more costly is having to make changes down the line because you realize your design choices aren’t appealing to potential buyers.
If you’re considering remodeling your home and want more information about the process, we can help! Begin by filling out our contact form or giving us a call at (608) 219-4570.