Enjoy Your Kitchen and Maximize Resale
As you explore a kitchen remodel, we want to shine light on the resale side so that you have peace of mind you will not only reap the benefits of your investment, but that your choices will also help sell the house quickly and at top value. So we thought the opinions of local Denver luxury realtors are a great source for information.
The kitchen is central for all homes, intended to be thoroughly used and enjoyed on a daily basis, yet is also a key priority to consider when selling your home in the future, whenever that time comes. For 2023, according to a recent survey conducted by Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc., 81% of respondents recognized kitchens and bathrooms as the most important feature when considering buying a home.
Kara Taggart of ROC Realty in Denver shares, “Kitchens are the most used room in the house”…. especially since more and more employees working from home. “It’s no wonder that more and more nowadays, home buyers are wanting a kitchen that is functional, open concept, and spacious, a place where they can create these lifelong memories (and optimal resale).”
She continues, “When contemplating whether to remodel a kitchen, it’s important to look at what the cost of the project will be, what the after-repaired-value (ARV) will be, and if it makes sense to invest into remodeling your particular kitchen.
The main complaints about kitchens that I hear from buyers are that they aren’t open concept enough, or there aren’t enough cabinets or countertop space. It’s so important to invest in your remodel with these common buyer pain-points in mind.
‘A double kitchen sink or a walk-in pantry rank high for 81% of buyers’, the NAHB says. ‘Among HomeLight agents they surveyed, the top kitchen upgrades that buyers sought were:
- A kitchen island (64%)
- A walk-in pantry (62%)
- Lots of drawer and cabinet storage (57%)’
Things to consider for your kitchen remodel:
- Kitchen Island- most home buyers nowadays are seeking a beautiful and spacious kitchen island. If possible, build or expand the kitchen island and you’ll be happy you did! Here’s ideas for what countertops to consider for the island and/or the entire kitchen.
- Pantry- the bigger the better. Walk-in pantries are preferred by most home buyers.
- Double kitchen sink- preferred by most. It’s much easier to clean dishes and keep the kitchen peaceful and decluttered.
- Workflow and creating a more functional floor plan- where are the busiest areas of the kitchen and do you have enough cabinets, countertops and overall space? Floor plans that don’t work well nowadays are getting more pushback. People want an open-concept, with lots of countertops and cabinet space.
- The Backsplash- not only does it add character to the overall look and feel of the kitchen, but there’s a practical sense to backsplash as it prevents cooking oils from splashing onto the walls. Focus on styles that most people will like, not just current trends.
- Light Fixtures- updated lighting really adds to the ambience. Highly suggest investing in lighting fixtures. You want the kitchen to be bright and have adequate lighting.
- The Floor- make sure your floor matches your beautiful new appliances and updates in the kitchen.
- Electrical outlets- you want to make sure you have enough outlets and in easy to use locations for your appliances. Speaking of appliances, stainless steel maintain more
- Storage- this is a big one I hear a lot from buyers! Having ample storage space makes everyone’s life easier, and increases productivity in the kitchen. When in doubt, go for more storage space!
- Budget- decide early on which aspects of your kitchen remodel are most important to you and plan accordingly.
It’s estimated that the ROI on kitchen renovations is typically around 60-100% of what you spend, and this can be impacted by outside factors such as where you live, how much you spend, and what your style is.”
A few tips that Kara recommends to her clients to maximize their kitchen remodel:
- Functionality first, before decor.
- Incorporate storage solutions into your remodel.
- Emphasize countertop and cabinet space.
- Do the numbers and talk with a professional to see if it makes sense for your home.
“If you make updates with these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to have a wonderful kitchen that the majority of people would be excited to buy!” -Kara Taggart
Overwhelmed? You don’t have to do this alone. Denver realtor Brandon Griffin reminds us, “A good way to begin this process is to take some time with your co-habitants to consider the existing pain points. Write them all down and share them with your architect, designer, or agent…engaging with professionals before beginning your kitchen remodel will ensure that… the end result will be desirable and functional space”.
When considering opening up the kitchen, Brandon reminds us “determining whether walls can be removed is not something you want to do alone.” He adds, “Each home and remodel is unique and it’s best to ask a pro about your specific project.”
For more information and guidance on your specific kitchen remodel, reach out to us AAA Home Improvements at 720-981- 4269. For Denver real estate guidance, connect with Kara Taggart of ROC Real Estate at 815.263.6076 or Brandon Griffin of Your Castle Real Estate at 303-588-1656.
