So, you’ve decided you’re going to put your house on the market and move elsewhere. Good for you! We know the decision isn’t an easy one and that the process can be frustrating. But, with these tips, you’ll be able to prep your kitchen to really WOW the potential buyers that walk through the door. Keep in mind, this kitchen is for the general public, not for you. Keep things neutral, light, bright and happy.
The Goals:
- Clean, orderly kitchen with signs of being lived in
- Looks and feels fresh and clean
- Open and bright
- No appliances too outdated
1. Be Aware of Smells
Odd smells are the biggest turn off to people, especially those with a sensitive nose looking for a new home. Before showing your home, make sure all of the trash and recycling has been brought out. If you want to take the next step, hire a professional cleaner to get those hard to see areas. Plus, the cleaning products will keep your kitchen smelling (and looking!) clean and fresh and allow the buyer to vision their life in the kitchen with no distractions.
2. Clean Your Windows
Before showing your home to a potential buyer, clean all the windows in your home, inside and out. This is especially important in the kitchen – you don’t want the buyer to notice dirty spots on the windows and start thinking about how they’re going to have to clean the windows, too.
3. Staging
After you’ve cleaned your kitchen, clean the countertops. Start by wiping down the surfaces and only leaving the coffee maker and toaster out, everything else should be put away. A few ways to stage the area include adding a teakettle to the stove top, placing out a bottle of wine and a few glasses on the counter, add a vase of flowers and some cookbooks, and organize any open front/glass shelving. These all make the kitchen look lived in but don’t give it a cluttered feel, which will let the buyers envision their lives there.
4. Make Updates
Is your kitchen outdated but you don’t have a lot of extra money to be spending on gutting the entire kitchen and starting from the ground up? Start by refinishing your cabinets, changing out the hardware, and even upgrading the backsplash! These will all add value to the home and will give the buyers a good first impression.