Thursday, November 10, 2016 / by Karen McGail
To Sellers: It’s Time to Face That Dated Kitchen
For home owners who are putting their house on the market, they may want to take a closer look at their kitchen. It can become a deal-breaker for buyers.
“Dated kitchens—just like bathrooms—are a major barrier for resale,” says Michael Shaw, leader of operations at Centennial360, a custom home builder and renovation contractor in Saskatoon, Canada. “Buyers want modern amenities and styling, and most aren’t interested in renovating post-purchase.”
For landlords looking to rent out the space, the same applies too.
“Renovating your kitchen can make the home more appealing and allow it to command a greater rental price,” he says.
But kitchen remodels are known for being pricey. Even a minor upgrade could cost upwards to $20,000. Rest assured, not all kitchen redesigns have to be expensive. A few strategic kitchen renovations can make your money stretch and still have a big impact, all for under $500.
For example, painting the cabinets white may make for a modern redo. The cost of the paint will be about $150 for the cost of the paint. Add in about $100 more for new cabinet hardware and the kitchen can take on a drastically different look for under $300.
A new backsplash may add more style to the kitchen space too. For example, a mosaic subway tile may add more of a modern twist. One company called SimpleMat can help DIYers install a backsplash without the use of mortar too. The cost is about $170.
Take a look at the kitchen’s lighting too. Buyers love bright spaces so make sure there is ample light. Also, consider adding an LED undercabinet light to add a glow onto the kitchen cabinets. The cost is about $40.
For a really dated countertop, home owners may be best off spending the money to replace it. Quartz is especially on-trend nowadays. Or in a pinch, home owners could try a top coating over their current countertops. Rustoleum’s Counter Top Coating is about $40 for a tint-base.
Need more ideas? Check out these resources from REALTOR® Magazine to gather more ideas about sprucing up kitchens for less:
9 Ways to Make a Kitchen Look Swank for Less
Low-Cost Kitchen Improvements for Any Home
Kitchen Remodeling Projects That Pay Off
9 Modest Fixes for the Problem Kitchen
Source: “7 Signs Your Kitchen Is Way Overdue for a Remodel,” realtor.com® (Nov. 10, 2016) and “Before & After: A Fresh Kitchen Makeover for Under $500,” Apartment Therapy (2016)