How Sellers Can Remodel Their Kitchens for Higher ROI

How Sellers Can Remodel Their Kitchens for Higher ROI

 November 13, 2015

Long known as the heart of the home, the kitchen holds a special place in homebuyers’ hearts. This means that they scrutinize it thoroughly before deciding whether a home is worth buying or not. It’s no wonder that kitchen remodels are highly popular and many home sellers do them before listing their homes. But the truth of the matter is that some kitchen remodels have a higher ROI than others. To ensure your sellers get bang for their buck, advise them to make these valuable updates.

Paint the Walls

Paint is unquestionably one of the most hardworking design elements – a little goes a long way.  Homeowners can easily update their kitchens by painting them. They can use neutral paint to brighten up their kitchens and make them warm and inviting. White paint is especially good for kitchens because it gives the feeling of cleanliness. In addition, it makes spaces appear bigger than they actually are. Remind sellers to do up their backsplashes when painting their kitchens.

Add Energy-Friendly Appliances

Energy-friendly appliances are not only gentle on the environment, they reduce utility bills (who wouldn’t want to pay lower bills?). Buyers are always on the lookout for homes with eco-friendly appliances which help them to save money and the environment at the same time. Tell sellers to look for appliances with the Energy Star logo as they are more durable. While they have a higher upfront cost, they are valued by buyers.

Replace the Countertops

There aren’t many things that can improve the look and feel of a kitchen like countertops. For many years, marble was the countertop of choice. However, it is very expensive and not resistant to stains or scratches. Many homes now have granite countertops which are highly durable and available in a host of colors. Granite is also highly resistant to nicks and stains. Sellers can replace their existing countertops with granite ones which are beautiful and affordable.

Reface or Replace Cabinets

When examining a kitchen, buyers look at three things: cabinets, countertops, and appliances. Home sellers with dated cabinets should replace them with new ones before buyers come knocking. Those with unappealing cabinets should consider refacing them and adding new hardware. Refaced cabinets look as good as new and can help sellers to save a lot of money. Homeowners with inadequate storage can add extra cabinets to create more storage space. Buyers love storage so it’s always a good thing to add.

Install Pendant Lights

Pendant lights are popular features in kitchens. They provide direct light and help people to perform tasks easily. They are also classier than recessed lights or track lights. Encourage your home sellers to buy pendant lights for their kitchens and place them over kitchen islands or countertops. This way, they won’t interfere with the flow of traffic. They can choose bold fixtures which make a statement and add interest.

Change the Flooring

This tip applies to kitchens with outdated flooring. Good flooring can be the selling feature of a kitchen and boost the overall selling price. Homeowners can install tile, wood, or vinyl flooring. Old wood floors can be spruced up with interesting patterns. Paint can transform a rough, inconsistent floor into a surface filled with color. Homeowners can use floor graphics to turn their floors into focal points.

Kitchen remodels are all the rage these days. This is because kitchens have become living spaces where families cook, interact, and share meals together. When it comes to selling a home, you only need to sell the kitchen. Tell your clients not to spend thousands of dollars on fancy kitchen remodels. They should focus on the most important updates and they’ll be sure to recoup their money when they sell their homes.


Ronique Gibson

By Ronique Gibson

Ronique Gibson is an Associate Architect and a LEED Accredited Professional, who has been in the design industry for over 13 years. She started her design blog in 2009 and today it has become a premier destination for helping homeowners with everyday lifestyle challenges. Her readers check in daily for help with their homes, DIY project ideas, recipes, crafts, and inspiration to beautify and enjoy their homes.