There is a common belief that kitchens must to be renovated before a house can be sold. Is that true?
Maybe.
Beautifully renovated kitchen from our listing at 4110 Woodberry Street, University Park
The three most important factors that go into the ultimate sale price of any house are:
Location (which includes schools and "walkability")
Condition
Overall Market Direction and Timing
The question of whether or not to renovate a kitchen before going onto the market touches on condition. A kitchen that is fresh and stylish to current tastes is always going to be more appealing to the overall pool of buyers than a dated and worn kitchen. However, that does not mean that there is nobody out there who is willing to take on a kitchen renovation if the house is priced correctly. More on that later.
When considering a renovation I always advise my clients on the overall market direction and timing. If the market is very advantageous for a seller, I generally recommend that the seller take advantage of the the current market by putting their house on the market quickly rather than waiting to renovate the kitchen and risk going on the market in less favorable circumstances. However, when houses are not selling quickly, then it may be wise to do some improvements. This is why I always provide a detailed market analysis to my clients to help them make such a decision.
How to sell your house fast with any kind of kitchen
Completely renovated kitchen
The kitchen is the star attraction for our listing at 6604 Wells Parkway in University Park. It is beautifully renovated with a large central island, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances. For those who love the feel of an open plan, it has a view onto the bright family room with a wood-burning fireplace.
Success! It spent only 6 days on the market and escalated SIGNIFICANTLY over list price with many offers. (I'll update you on the final sale price as soon as it settles later this month.)
Partially updated kitchen
The kitchen of our listing at 4206 Sheridan Street in University Park is a great example of a good balance between new and old. The seller gave the kitchen a fresh coat of paint and purchased new appliances. Then the older cabinets and vinyl floor were cleaned and polished. The kitchen looks fresh and inviting while leaving the possibility for an eventual renovation.
Success! After only 6 days on the market the house had several competitive offers and escalated $21,000 over list price to $495,000.
Fixer-upper kitchen
The sellers of our listing at 6909 40th Avenue in University Park decided that putting their house on the market in as-is condition was the right choice for their circumstances. The appliances, cabinets and countertops were all installed in the 1940s. The house was priced to allow buyers to remake the kitchen and the rest of the house exactly to their own taste.
Success! After only 5 days on the market the house had several competitive offers and escalated $60,100 over list price to $440,000.
These success stories show that it is not always necessary to completely renovate a kitchen before putting a house on the market. However, you need the steady guidance of a realtor to provide you with an in-depth market analysis that allows you to maximize market timing. As your realtor, I'll work with you to devise the winning strategy to market your house to the best possible buyers. This is the kind of service that I provide all of my sellers.
Ready to sell? Contact me today at tbeauchard@gmail.com or 240-413-4141.
Tamara Beauchard, Route 1 Realtor
As a top-performing realtor with Re/Max Professionals, I handled nearly $12 million in real estate transactions this past year. I stay on top of the market to ensure that you are confident about the price and the process from our first meeting to the settlement table.
You have an architect on your side! My experience in the design and construction industry means that we can talk about renovations and improvements that will both beautify your home and improve it's resale value.
I'm a right-fit specialist who provides consulting services for people who are not ready to buy or sell right now, but need advice on where to start with renovating or downsizing.
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