I've been an avid do-it-yourselfer for years, so it was a natural progression from flipping furniture to doing "mini flips" on homes. I've long known the value of reusing and repurposing what's already there. It's not only great for your budget, it's also great for our planet.
As a REALTOR, I see many missed opportunities for homeowners to sell their homes more quickly, for more money.
And I also see buyers pass up great homes because they don't know how inexpensive it can be to update them.
Perhaps the most important room in the home is the kitchen. Everyone gravitates here, and it's one of the first things buyers notice. Kitchens easily become outdated, and a dated kitchen can significantly affect a home's selling potential.
But the good news is, many updates can be done very inexpensively without a full remodel. I include many of these updates with my listings to help homeowners sell their homes more quickly, for more money.
CABINETS
Nothing dates a kitchen more than old (especially brown) cabinets with the original handles. Painting your cabinets and updating the handles (or adding handles if there aren't any) can make a huge difference. White is the most popular color for cabinets and is the safest bet. I like Shoji White by Sherwin Williams. If your kitchen is large you can do black cabinets. Or a black island with white cabinets.
And you don't even need to take the doors off! I paint my cabinets with the doors on, drawers in. These cabinets were already white, but they were a bright, farmhouse white, and they were distressed. I filled in the distressed parts and chose a warmer white/very light beige, and added brushed gold handles. The kitchen looks fresh and modern now.
You might also need to swap out your faucet for one that matches the new handles (or choose handles that match the faucet).
COUNTERTOPS & BACKSPLASHES
Did you know that you can also paint countertops and backsplashes? Yep! But it's not "paint" as we know it. It's an epoxy. You can paint laminate, Formica, wood or stone countertops with epoxy. This will completely transform your kitchen and appeal to more buyers.
Floors
Paint floors? You bet! You can paint tile, wood, or even vinyl floors. This is not a small job, so only paint them if they really need it. But some floors really need it... try the Rustoleum Floor Coating. You have to have it tinted so get it at the hardware store. This is where you can add a little color more safely, but choose a modern color.
Appliances
Stainless steel appliances continue to be the #1 choice for kitchens. If your home is not "high end" and has all white or black appliances, you may be able to work with that, as long as you choose your paint colors appropriately. But mis-matched, dated beige/cream, or just plain old and ugly appliances should be replaced. Look on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for nice used appliances.
Walls
If your wall paint is dingy or dinged up, or is a color other than a light neutral, or if you have wallpaper, you may need to paint your walls. Buyers often can't look past the colors, and move on to the next house. Complete your kitchen update by painting the walls if they need it. Choose a safe shade of white or very light beige.
Decor
You may love farmhouse style, and I hate to burst your bubble, but it's over. Remove all those farmhouse decorations and that window curtain. Take a trip to Home Goods and pick up a few modern pieces. Not too many! You want to keep the kitchen clean and sparce, with just a few choice decorations.
Remove all clutter and large appliances from the countertops.
If you're selling your home, remember that a lot of people can't look past outdated style and imagine what's possible without envisioning a complete remodel. And that's big bucks and an inconvenience that buyers don't want. By making these updates, you'll increase the value of your home and it is likely to sell much faster.
If you're in Idaho and you're considering selling or buying a home, make an appointment with me and let me share how I can help you.
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