Kitchens, they say, are the heart of the home. We all know that! Taking potential buyers emotions into consideration, kitchens rank as an important priority in a home makeover.
Potential purchasers often value a kitchen replacement as double its actual cost and will use it to their negotiation advantage, so here’s what to do.
As home makeover specialists we have been faced with all sorts of properties and all sorts of kitchens. Essentially, the only kitchens we don’t suggest to touch (aside from a deep clean – compulsory in all) are those that are in an imminent knock down or one with serious immediate renovation requirements.
Your vendor may have a 20-25 year old kitchen. Ideally, you might suggest they update the entire kitchen and bench top, but a well made wooden kitchen with a good carcass and with a number of years life left offers a budget option to re-paint. Unfortunately you can’t really hide that it’s a re-paint, however, it will likely present much better for pre-sale than the old version. Here is a great example of how well this 1970’s kitchen was improved with a re-paint and new appliances:
By ‘making over’ your kitchen, you will stop those bargaining opportunities, create competition and appeal.
A 10-17 year-old kitchen is also a great makeover candidate. For a kitchen of this age I would suggest changing only the doors, handles, hinges, bench top and appliances. This gives the kitchen a second life of many years and presents beautifully for sale. You’ll get a new kitchen for around half of the cost. It also fixes the colours, look and durability all in one go.
By suggesting a kitchen makeover to your vendors you will stop those bargaining opportunities, create competition and appeal – which is what we do at BG Home Styling.
About Belinda Grundy
Belinda Grundy is an Author, Speaker, and the Founder of BG Property Styling. She published her first book, Rightsize Your Home: The Empty Nester's Guide for a Stress-Free Downsize, in 2014. For her work on BG Property Styling, she was chosen as a finalist under the Business Leader category through the NSW Business Chamber Business Awards 2015. Currently, Belinda manages operations on Sydney’s North and Southern Highlands. You can contact Belinda on T + 61 2 9986 0524 or via email here.
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