You may have heard the phrase “curb appeal” many times before, and that it is what will draw potential buyers to your home. Of course your home’s exteriors are important when it comes to getting buyers through your front door, but at the end of the day, it’s your home’s interiors that will count the most. When preparing their homes for sale, many sellers will focus mainly on the living room and den, making them look as cozy and inviting as possible. But the truth is that one of the most overlooked rooms in a house is also one of the most important. A clean, modern and functional kitchen is actually one of the top features that buyers look for when searching for homes. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your kitchen is in sale-ready condition.
1. Clean it thoroughly, not just once but twice. You probably already know that the first rule of home staging is making sure your house is absolutely spic and span, but this is especially true for kitchens and bathrooms. If you are still living in your home and using these rooms daily, it can be a challenge to keep them clean, but clean kitchens and bathrooms are usually the top two things buyers are on the look out for. Deep clean your kitchen, and make sure to wipe everything down after every use. If you have stainless steel appliances or a lot of reflective surfaces in your kitchen, make sure to keep them free of fingerprint marks and polish them regularly.
2. Keep it odor-free. This may be a little tricky, since your nose has probably adapted to the smell of your home, and you won’t notice anything off-putting as quickly as strangers will. If you know that a showing has been scheduled for the day, it might be best to avoid cooking food that has very strong odors. Keep an air freshener handy, but try to steer clear of fragrances that are too overwhelming or overpowering. When shopping for a good, clean scent, you usually can’t go wrong with those labelled “fresh,” “clean,” “ocean,” or “citrus.”
3. Clear out the clutter. When staging their homes for sale, a lot of people make the mistake of displaying too many decorations and knickknacks, thinking that doing so will appeal to buyers. This is true for the kitchen as well, and you may be tempted to display your impressive spice collection or your set of matching pots and pans. But the truth is, all those could distract from what your buyers are REALLY looking for: counter and storage space. Having too much clutter may give the impression that you don’t have a lot of space. Do the smart thing and clear away all unnecessary junk, keeping only the absolute essentials.
If you are planning to sell your home, let The Incorvaia Team make the process as easy as possible for you. Call us at 440-879-7130 today!
