5 Things to Change in Your Kitchen Before You Sell

With all of the HGTV series about flipping houses, home renovations and DIY's airing today, it has many people curious as to what they can do to their home to not only make it more appealing, but what is going to increase your resale value if you're planning on selling? The number one thing that is going to sell your house is your kitchen. So, if your kitchen looks a little something like the header photo, you may want to consider an update. Do you have to change absolutely everything about your current kitchen? No. Do you have to spend a fortune doing it? No. With these 10 updates your kitchen will be looking brand spanking new in no time.

1. Floors - If your current kitchen has flooring that hasn't been changed since the home was built in 1902, plz. change. it. Unless it is original hardwood I would recommend an update. A couple options that look lovely in kitchens: porcelain tiles that look like hardwood are very popular right now, grey washed woods, and travertine. 

2. Countertops - Updated counters are a crucial selling point with home buyers in this day and age, if you're looking to get top dollar for your home, don't even think about putting it on the market with formica counters. Tips: Marble is beautiful but isn't ideal, it is very porous, damages easily with acidic elements used in the kitchen and is very soft so scratches easily. Quartz and granite are more durable, quartz is manmade, granite is natural stone. As far as price point goes, you may find that granite starts at a lower price point but can go up much higher, whereas quartz starts higher but stays lower. 

3. Hardware - The hardware that you will find on your cabinets and drawers should not look like those plastic ones you'll find in your doctors office. Go for chrome or brass dependent upon the style of your space.

4. Color Scheme - When looking to sell a house it is important to keep in mind to try and avoid anything that is what we call buyer specific, now what that means is that if you decide that you are going to paint your kitchen purple and do a metallic backsplash, you are narrowing down the number of buyers who will consider your home. (Not everyone sees the potential and are DIY-ers like us!) Attempt to stick with neutral paints and backsplashes.

5. Light Fixtures - Does your ceiling currently have high school cafeteria lighting? Giant rectangular light boxes? Update. Recessed lighting gives a great ambiance and modern look, but if your kitchen is more on the traditional side, opt for hanging light fixtures, they come in hundreds of styles, including wrought iron which is a favorite of mine.

These five changes will make all the difference in your home whether you're looking to stay or sell. In selling however, focusing on these five changes will ensure you're getting the best purchase price and the most attention from buyers!