TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME? - Week 5

I hope you enjoyed last weeks blog on the sitting and living Room. The ‘go to’ space to relax and unwind! This week we are moving on to the space where we spend a substantial part of our lives. The room that's often cited as the 'heart of the home' aka the kitchen and dining room.

KITCHEN & DINING ROOM

It’s not just a place where we go to cook. It is a multi-functional space for most households. It’s where we do homework, watch TV & socialise. It can also be the most expensive room in the house when you add it all up. It’s not just the kitchen units, counter tops and tiling but the appliances that go with it too. With this in mind, no matter how modern or dated a kitchen is we need to portray this room as a functional clean space. It can sometimes be a deal breaker if a buyer can’t see the kitchen’s potential. See beyond all the clutter and mess regardless of how old the kitchen is. So with that in mind lets get physical…

SPICK & SPAN

Pull up your sleeves and give the kitchen an early spring clean. Sort and clean out those much used cutlery drawers, cabinets and appliances. Declutter windows sills and replace with something simple like a pot of fresh herbs. Don’t forget to clean your windows and patio doors. They can be quite unforgiving especially on a bright sunny day. Buyers believe that a clean kitchen is a sign of a well maintained home. So take this opportunity to help give the buyer peace of mind with regard to the rest of the house.

CHAIRS TODAY GONE TOMORROW

Reduce the amount of chairs in the kitchen whether it’s high stools or kitchen table chairs. This will increase the feeling of space and lighten up the room. Placement of furniture is also key so take a walk around your kitchen to ensure there is a natural flow with no obstacles in the way.

KITCHEN TABLE

The kitchen table gets a lot of wear and tear and can often become a dumping ground. Remove all clutter and place just a simple bowl of fruit (one type works best) or a vase filled with flowers. Place a mat under the table to define a dining area. It’s sometimes the simplest things that are the most effective.

ACCENTS

If you have a neutral coloured kitchen bring in an accent colour with tea towels, accessories and utensils. This will help to give the room a more cohesive look.

SMELLS

You don’t want last night’s dinner to be the first thing to hit a buyer when they walk into your kitchen. Make sure to air the room the night before a viewing and give every surface a once over… and don’t forget to empty and remove any unsightly bins. It’s a good idea to light a scented candle on the window or counter.

STORAGE

Make use of any storage or shelving you have. But ensure not to cram everything into a cabinet only to fall out on top of a potential buyer! Shelving is a great way to clear your counter tops but avoid cluttering it up. A few simple items like some cook books and a plant can look very effective. Portraying a positive lifestyle to any potential buyer.

Remember most of the above tips are free or low cost. A clean, fresh, bright kitchen that makes the most of the space will attract buyers and does not need to cost an arm and a leg.