DIY Kitchen Staging Ideas that will Wow Buyers
The kitchen is one of the spaces that buyers tend to remember. They may forget the size of the third bedroom or whether or not there’s a closet in the front foyer, but the impression buyers form of your kitchen will linger on.
That’s why, when you’re selling your home, staging the kitchen to look its best is so important. Here are some tips:
- Remove cookware, small appliances (like the electric mixer) and any other items from your countertop. Buyers like to see lots of surface space on countertops.
- Consider doing a few minor improvements, such as replacing old cabinet hardware or a stained and scratched kitchen sink.
- Freshen up the cabinetry. For worn wood cabinetry, there are many specialty staining and finishing products available that can be applied directly onto the old finish. Your cabinets will look almost new.
- If the kitchen space seems tight, experiment with reorganizing or removing furniture. For example, try having four chairs around the breakfast table instead of six.
- As much as possible, make sure everything in the kitchen is clean and shiny. Pay particular attention to the storage space under the sink. This is the cabinet door most often opened by buyers.
- If your kitchen mats are worn, replace them. This is a relatively minor expense that can have a big impact.
- When a viewing is scheduled, turn on the lights and open window curtains or blinds. You want your kitchen to look bright (but not blinding!).
These are all relatively simple improvements, yet each can make an enormous difference in how your kitchen looks to buyers. If your kitchen looks great – buyers will remember it!
How your Home’s Market Value is Calculated
Imagine you’re shopping for a used iPhone 11 that’s in good condition. You visit a resale website and discover that most are selling for approximately $350. Would you be willing to pay $400? Probably not. The market value is obviously well-established. There would be no reason to pay more.
Pricing your home for sale is similar. Your home has a market value and, if you were to list it, buyers would expect to pay close to that amount. If you price it too high, many buyers won’t even bother to see it. If you price it too low, you’ll leave money on the table.
Many factors come into play when calculating that market value – neighborhood, street characteristics, special features, upgrades, condition, etc. However, the most important factor is the price similar homes in your area sold for recently.
Finding out the market value of your home is a smart idea, even if you don’t plan to sell in the near future. It helps you make better decisions should something change and you need or want to sell.
Charging Electric Cars at Home
As sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid/electric vehicles (HEVs) increase every year, purchasers will demand greater accessibility to charging stations. Of course, the most convenient place to recharge is at home.
But not all household electrical services will be able to handle the demand. Homeowners will need to consider the power available in their homes for private charging and what it means for their vehicle. For example, new EV/HEV vehicle purchases might include an adaptor for a standard 120V household current. However, that current won’t likely provide enough power to fully charge a car battery overnight.
For faster charging, homeowners would need a dedicated 240V circuit, similar to the ones used by a standard electric clothes-dryer. Quicker, more powerful chargers, such as the type found at public recharging stations, are not currently viable for households. If a 240V circuit is accessible, check local building codes and by-laws for acceptable installations. A fully enclosed garage with access to metered power is likely to meet these requirements, but always check first. Remember, even if the purchase of an electric vehicle is not in your immediate plans, a vehicle charger will be an added feature when it’s time to sell your home.
