Let Your Kitchen Sell Your Home

Let Your Kitchen Sell Your Home

When staging your home to sell set aside the bulk of your budget for a kitchen makeover – this is where you’ll get the best return on your money.

25 March, 2015 – Buying and selling homes is big business, and as we enter key selling season there’s never been a better time to buyer-proof your home. The estate agent mantra is simple: “highlight the best bits and play down the weaknesses.” Called ‘home staging’, this insider approach to selling your home relies on tried and tested techniques for improving your home.

Furthermore, research from The Home Owners Alliance underlines how careful preparation can make all the difference, especially when it comes to the kitchen. The kitchen, they say, is the most valuable room in the home1, worth most per square foot than any other room. But rather than pay out for a complete new kitchen to sell your house, replacing doors, drawers and worktops can be a cost effective and less disruptive alternative.

Kitchen makeover specialist Dream Doors Managing Director, Troy Tappenden gives insider insight and advice for home owners seeking to sell their home this spring.

“When staging your home to sell set aside the bulk of your budget for a kitchen makeover – this is where you’ll get the best return on your money. It really is worth maximising this important space as a well-presented kitchen can make all the difference when it comes to prospective buyers making an offer – and a good one at that.”

He adds “Start early – if you’re planning for a spring sale start thinking about your kitchen upgrade in autumn or winter the year before. Assess what work needs to be done – carry out a Kitchen Audit. Be realistic and ask a third party for input – a trusted and honest friend or an estate agent. Also ask yourself some honest questions and try to answer from a buyer’s perspective. Consider aspects of design e.g. is there the sufficient storage? Does the layout work well? Is there enough space for all the appliances or do new ones need to be introduced? Is the colour scheme neutral? A reputable company like Dream Doors will assist during this part of the process, working with you to create an Installation Plan.”

Once your Kitchen Audit is complete there are different levels of kitchen upgrade which can be achieved by working with a kitchen makeover specialist like Dream Doors.

o Level 1: It could be the layout, cupboard fronts and surfaces are fine in which case it could be a simple case of adding new door handles, carrying out a thorough de-clutter and spring clean and a lick of paint (remember neutral works every time!)
o Level2: It might be that the layout, cupboard fronts and handles are clean, well cared for and neutral but the worktops are scuffed in which case it could be as simple as buying and installing new worktops
o Level 3: The kitchen cupboards look dated and scruffy. This might be a good time to invest in new cupboard fronts and worktops to accompany the spring clean and lick of paint
o Level 4: You’re trying to attract a more high end buyer. This could involve new cupboard fronts and worktop as well as updating fixtures and fittings and white goods. It might sound extensive but remember if a kitchen looks fresh, modern and up to date it’s more than likely to add extra value to your sale so you’ll re-cap your initial outlay anyway

Once the work is complete remember to keep your kitchen as clutter free and neutral as possible. Create a blank canvas on which potential home owners can project their ideas of a dream kitchen.

Moving away from the kitchen, other sound conventional ‘home staging’ advice focuses on easy-to-action and practical tips including:

• De-clutter and de-personalise
• Add mirrors in key places to give the impression of space
• Clean carpets throughout
• Keep it neutral – muted colour schemes work best
• Add fresh scented flowers
• Buy new/ brighter lightbulbs
• Kerb appeal is key – make sure your home looks clean, clutter free and well-presented from the outside as first impressions really do matter