Kitchen Upgrades That Pay Off

Real estate pros tell us that kitchens lead the list of spaces that make or break the sale of a home. If you plan to renovate your home before putting it on the market, take heart in the knowledge that although the kitchen will eat up a good portion of your budget, the result will be well worth it. The Home Gain National Home Improvement Survey for Sellers shows that upgrading your kitchen can yield as much as a 66% return on your investment.
If a top-to-bottom remodel is beyond your budget, no worries. Look no further than these five kitchen upgrades guaranteed to increase your home's resale value.






1.   Lighting is like jewelry for the home. It’s also a dead giveaway to when your house was built or last remodeled. Fluorescent light boxes or commercial-style fluorescent fixtures say “old,” so hire a contractor to replace them with recessed lighting. This will subtract years from the look of your kitchen, brighten the space and even raise your ceiling by several inches. Upgrade task lighting by installing pendants over peninsulas, islands, and sinks. There are many relatively inexpensive options at your local home improvement store, kitchen design store, or hardware store.



 2.  Over the years, appliances have gotten smaller, sleeker, more energy efficient, and more colorful. If you’ve had the same appliances for a while, make changes before putting your house on the market. If your kitchen sports a microwave/stove all-in-one unit, it’s time for an upgrade. Wall ovens remain popular, but newer models are much smaller, so a contractor may need to retrofit the appliance to your cabinet space.If your fridge, dishwasher and stove don’t match, spring for new ones that do. Mismatched appliances will stick out like a sore thumb and deter buyers. Stainless steel enjoys popularity these days, but make sure the appliance color you choose works with the style of your kitchen



3.  .Home buyers want low maintenance when it comes to countertops. Many of us grew up in homes with 4x4 tile counters and know all about the chore of keeping the grout looking clean. Today, homeowners and homebuyers want easy-to-clean, grout-free, solid-surface countertops. Choices range from inexpensive laminate to pricier quartz, from poured concrete to natural stones like granite and marble to eco-friendly recycled glass options. A potential buyer faced with a choice between a house with kitchen counters topped with old-school tile or an updated solid-surface countertop, the solid surface will win hands down.

 

 4.  Switching out the old kitchen sink for a new model can have high impact for low cost. A clean, shiny new unit with a stylish faucet can add the “wow” factor. Pull-out spray faucets are practical, desirable, and can cost as little as $100. Be sure to choose a style that complements the look of your kitchen. Many faucets come packaged with matching liquid soap dispensers, too. Remember, those little touches can make your property stand out from the rest.

 
5.   The kitchen is a high-traffic zone in any home, showing wear and tear faster than other areas. As you make other upgrades, don’t forget the foundation of the room. Replace old linoleum with newer, higher-quality vinyl flooring, tile or even hardwood if you have wood in adjoining spaces. In smaller homes, especially, a wood floor that matches adjacent rooms—a dining area or family room—makes the space look and feel larger. If you want tile, choose 12-inch or larger squares for a more contemporary, higher-end look.