"The kitchen is outdated!" complained the buyer

"The kitchen is outdated!" complained the buyer. "I know, isn't that fabulous!" responded the REALTOR® (me)

During one of my open houses I engaged in a conversation with a visitor who was obviously very interested in the home. She had spent a good amount of time walking around, admiring the view, opening doors and closets, walking up and then down again ..

"This is a great home" she said "but the kitchen is outdated!" "I know, isn't that fabulous!" was my response. While the word outdated will turn off some buyers, others will get excited for one of 2 reasons:

1. If the home is older, "outdated" can be a real treat. By that I don't mean 1980s remodels but original, vintage features (by definition, the 80s now fall into the vintage category, too, but we are not quite there yet (???) when it comes to homes).

There is a (growing) trend to reuse, repurpose and recycle. There are more and more Restores, vintage markets, retro renovations and rehab addicts (I am a huge fan). There is even a national movement to "Save the Pink Bathrooms"!

Original features mean character, personality and warmth and often times quality, too, and a lot of buyers are looking for just that.

2. If the outdated features don't fall within the vintage category, then it's an opportunity! Just think about it, how many remodeled kitchens have you seen that match your taste 100%? Unless we are looking at overimproved homes or high-end-no-expense spared remodels, chances are slim.

There is always something that is not quite the buyers' taste: "I don't want stainless steel, you can see every fingerprint.", "I would prefer white cabinets", "I'd rather have silestone/granite/corian/concrete/recycled glass counters than those", "I would have chosen a different back-splash" ....

Instead of having to live with an updated-but-not-quite-right kitchen or having to improve an improvement why not seize the opportunity?

Wouldn't you rather live in a home that is all you vs the previous owner?

"The kitchen is outdated" complained the buyer. "I know, isn't that fabulous!"

As for my open house visitor, she didn't buy this property. But the wheels were turning in her head. "You have a good point" she said before she left.

P.S. If you are looking for vintage or an opportunity in Silver Spring, MD and beyond, give me a call at (240) 593-2860, I have a couple available!