Does a Kitchen Remodel Boost Your Home’s Value?

Does a Kitchen Remodel Boost Your Home’s Value?

If you’re planning to sell your home soon, one of the crucial questions you’ll face is whether to install upgrades before you put it on the market. In many cases, relatively inexpensive upgrades can help you boost the value of your home, ensuring a higher selling price.

Mid-scale projects that significantly increase your home’s value include bathroom and kitchen remodels. Or so conventional wisdom says. But do those investments really pay off? Or are you going to be spending more than the value increase will cover?  The answer depends on a few different factors. Here are the questions you need to ask yourself. 

What does the local market look like? 

If you’re thinking about remodeling your kitchen prior to a sale, talk to a local Realtor first. They are valuation experts and will know the priorities of buyers in your market. 

For example, a crucial factor in deciding if a seller should remodel is the average condition of the local home inventory. What do the kitchens of other homes for sale locally look like? This is the standard against which potential buyers will measure your property. 

Consulting a Realtor also reduces the likelihood of remodeling a kitchen in a style that doesn’t appeal to the average buyer in your area. 

Is a remodel objectively necessary? 

Don’t let your personal taste get in the way of objective remodeling decisions. You may look at your kitchen –  its tile floors and cabinetry – and think that everything needs to go. Then again, you’ve been looking at the same room for years. 

Remodeling the kitchen might make it suit your taste. But if your existing kitchen would be perfectly fine to a buyer, it’s an unnecessary investment in terms of home value. 

What are the most urgent areas for improvement? 

More often than not, your kitchen just needs a facelift, rather than a complete remodel.  For the largest increase in value relative to what you spend, focus on ailing areas – and those that look most dated. 

Replacing linoleum flooring from the 80s or refacing heavy 70s oak cabinets can already completely alter the appearance of the room. These are relatively minor investments. 

Which updates have the longest life span? 

Especially if you’re not planning to sell your home straight away, consider which updates have the longest life spans. 

Consult a trusted interior designer or a kitchen remodeling contractor to decide on timeless styles that will enchant buyers today as well as in a few years’ time. While it may be tempting to follow the latest trends in updating your kitchen, these can quickly look dated. 

Generally, investing in sleek, elegant designs, and solid, durable materials will pay off most. 

Are you Over-Improving? 

Finally, ask yourself honestly if you are over-improving. No matter how much you invest in upgrades, your home may never fetch more than a certain price.

Location, the local real estate market, and square footage are major limiting factors on how much your home is worth. 

Before you embark on a remodel, be sure to gauge these aspects. The easiest ways to avoid over-improving are to compare existing listings in your immediate area, and to talk to realty experts. 

Final Thoughts 

Overall, a kitchen remodel definitely has the potential to increase your home’s value compared to its as-is state. 

However, to get the best return on your investment, you need to carefully consider the expectations of the local market, the areas that objectively most need improvement, and the style you choose. That way, you’ll be able to get a real boost in home value from your kitchen remodel.

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About the Author

Top Wellington Realtor, Michelle Gibson, wrote: “Does a Kitchen Remodel Boost Your Home’s Value?”

Michelle has been specializing in residential real estate since 2001 throughout Wellington Florida and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or rent she will guide you through the entire real estate transaction. If you’re ready to put Michelle’s knowledge and expertise to work for you call or e-mail her today.

Areas of service include Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, and more.