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Wow! Look at this kitchen!

By
Home Stager

There is more than one way to take that exclamation. When you are selling your home you want it to be expressed in a positive way.

Kitchens can make or break a sale for some buyers.

Kitchens are areas of hygiene and should sparkle that means the appliances too.

Buyers like eat-in kitchens so if at all possible show them, even if it is at the counter or a small bistro set.

 A buyer's list of 'I wants' will have something about a kitchen on it.

Even if your kitchen needs updating show the buyer the potential. Staging the kitchen will help buyers see past what is to what could be.

If possible update things like taps, sinks, flooring, counter tops or appliances.

Painting tired cabinets is a cost effective way to breathe new life into a kitchen.

Above all show the buyer a Clean kitchen that Functions.

Let's face it, a buyer may see the future possibilities of your kitchen, but until they can afford to do that renovation they need your kitchen to function for them.

Kitchens are even more of a center of the home in open concept designs.

Buyers need to feel the kitchen is nice enough for their guests to see while they entertain.

When you Stage a kitchen it needs to look like a show room BUT also like a kitchen that is functioning for the owner.

Show the buyer the kitchen of their dreams is here waiting for them to just move in and make it their own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

Retired Home Stager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments(14)

Chuck Carstensen
RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN
Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

A beautiful kitchem definately can make a sale.  Small kitchen a lot of time kill the sale.

Nov 27, 2010 02:49 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

The kitchen is what says home...as wellas a the backporch/yard. If the kitcen wows then minor flaws will be acceptable!

Nov 27, 2010 02:53 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Chuck, the buyer's expectations have evolved with the changing designs. The kitchen is now expected to be good enough to entertain in so the chef can be part of the fun.

Nov 27, 2010 02:55 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Large open kitchens are what the people seem to want these days Janice. I guess the chef wants to be a part of the party.

Nov 27, 2010 06:20 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Another awesome post Janice, worthy of a Feature just like the Master Bedroom post............very well done............I have a feeling we're going to be hearing about bathrooms next! ;~)

Nov 27, 2010 06:24 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Malcolm, No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen by themselves.

Roger, you know me too well LOL. Thanks!

Nov 27, 2010 06:45 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

I think I could say the same thing about you Janice...............LOL.  Looking forward to the bathroom post.

Nov 27, 2010 09:30 AM
Brian Madigan
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON
LL.B., Broker

Janice,

It's the key room in the house, not only the most important but also the msot expensive.

Brian

Nov 27, 2010 11:17 AM
Linda D. Pufford
Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA
ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Janice,

Great post!  Those are wonderful tips for homeowners.  Kitchens I feel are so important...  as the saying goes they are the heart of the home!

Nov 27, 2010 01:45 PM
Ty Lacroix
Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Janice, one of the first places a buyer heads to when entering a house for sale is the kitchen. You win or lose right away in that instace!

Ty

Nov 28, 2010 12:13 AM
Not In Real Estate Any Longer
Autaugaville, AL

When we sold our house we spent a lot of time improving the kitchen, but it cost us maybe a couple hundred to do so:

We painted the old ceramic backsplash a nice bright white.

We paid a professional to come in and clean the grout between the ceramic tiles on our countertops and the floors.

We repainted all the walls.

And the cheapest thing we did was to POLISH our oak cabinets...please don't ever paint over oak ;)

Nov 28, 2010 02:02 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Thanks Roger ;)!

Yes they are Linda! Especially in an open concept.

Ty, you're right, kitchens are high on the buyer's 'I want' list and your home had better meet expectations.

Sounds like you did all the right things Pam. I'm glad your cabinets polished up for you. Some need painting because of wear or they are that 80's pickled oak which dates the house.

Nov 28, 2010 06:29 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Janice, you've said it, "Above all show the buyer a Clean kitchen that Functions."

Nov 28, 2010 10:35 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Lottie, that is so important!

Nov 28, 2010 11:04 AM