The kitchen, it’s the heart of the home. Kitchens are where we spend the most time with our families. It’s a place to nourish our bodies and our spirits. Because kitchens are fundamental to entertaining, they have become the focal point of many open floor plans. This is why it’s an important part of buying or selling a home. The kitchen should be the show place of the house; therefore, it can be the most costly to renovate. They require the most labor and time 
over all other renovations.
Renovating the kitchen doesn’t mean just a new coat of paint. There is more that goes into it like flooring, cabinets, counters and appliances. Most buyers want an updated kitchen, but most sellers are not willing to tackle the job by themselves. Most buyers will want the kitchen to be ready to use the day they move in. So, when considering this project, be sure not to price yourself out of the market by going overboard.
If homes in your neighborhood are selling for $300,000 or more with extravagant kitchens, you may want to consider upgrading to marble or granite countertops to up your chances of a faster sale. And, there are a number of things you can do to make sure you’re staying within the range you need to sell.
You can easily find out if homes in your area have solid wood cabinets and granite countertops by asking a neighbor. If so, then you’ll need to consider the same. You can also go to open houses in your area to see what others have and what you’ll need. Do these homes have add-ons like custom pantry’s, wine coolers and trash compactors? This information will help you stay on top of the game.
If you’re in a high end neighborhood, it’s time to think high end. In the case of an older home that may be functional for you and your family, it could be the downside that will keep the potential buyer looking. If you don’t want to put in the time and money to make upgrades then you’ll have to make concessions in your asking price.
Don’t get overwhelmed by what a kitchen upgrade can mean. You can do minor upgrades that can help your sell too. Update the appliances, paint the cabinets, change out the door and drawer pulls, add new lighting, and get high end looking counters for a fraction of the cost. And, you can save even more by doing the work yourself.
The kitchen sells the home, so do a little research and find out what your kitchen needs to make it competitive with listings in your area or ask a local real estate professional for advice.
Originally posted at: http://livinginstgeorge.com/2012/02/16/kitchens-sell-home/
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