Queens Home Owners: 4 signs it’s time to upgrade your kitchen

Queens Home Owners: 4 signs it’s time to upgrade your kitchen

 Home is where the heart is. I personally believe the kitchen is where the heart truly is. I’ve seen the kitchen make deals and ruin deals. It might just be the most important room in the house. So, how do you know when your kitchen is outdated?

1)    The Appliances are out of date.

 If your appliances are not stainless steel, nor do they have a digital timer it is time to consider updating. Unless you are purposely going for an old vintage look it might be in your best interest to upgrade. If you are thinking about selling in the near future or are currently have your home on the market it is always a good idea to keep the kitchen presentable for future or current buyers

2)    Damages and Wear

 If your cabinets are starting to fall apart or have cracks, cut markets, chipping,  scum or heavy duty grease it is time to upgrade. If your back splash is missing tiles it is 100% to get a new back splash installed. If your counter top is damaged potential future buyers will think 10 thousand dollars when in reality it is a lot less.

3)    Lack of Counter Space

 If you have trouble prepping for your growing family it might be time to upgrade your kitchen. If your kitchen allows it build an island, create a breakfast bar, Open a wall to create serving space.

4)    Home is not selling

 If your home has been on the market for a while and you are losing people in the kitchen it might be time for an upgrade. With a growing Queens market sellers are sprucing up their kitchens in order to separate themselves from the pack. If your home is in the higher market bracket but has old white appliances the time is now.

 Before making any changes it is usually a good idea to speak to your real estate professional who can help guide you in regards to what is trending. They should also be able to let you know where you can save money. Knowing what is in will help you make the best choices to help move your home for the most money.

Realtor® Tips for Stretching Your Kitchen Remodeling Budget

Kitchen renovations are known for tapping wallets. According to Remodeling Magazine the national average for kitchen renovation costs is $62,000 and the average remodel leaving the cabinets in place can cost $20,000. In some cities, like New York, that number can be even higher. Before you rip out your hair, there are a couple of things you might want to consider before starting this project.

CONSIDER HOW LONG YOU WILL BE LIVING IN THIS HOME.

If you planning on living in your property for no more then 2-3 years and want to renovate your kitchen, it would be wise to renovate with resale value in mind. It would be wise to know where your home falls regarding the market value and how renovating your kitchen can affect its value.

TIPS: Focus on the basics. Clean natural color cabinets and new appliances.

If you were planning on living in the space for more than five years, it would be wise to focus on personalization.

CONSIDER YOUR CONCEPT

Do you want your kitchen to be open or hidden away? This question will determine the future dimensions of your kitchen. The open layout is currently in trend and depending on when you plan on selling it, it might be a good idea to start moving in that direction. With less walls means less cabinets, which might mean less money. Might be something to consider!

DON’T FORGET A PANTRY

Depending on your layout, try to designate a little room for storage. This might skyrocket the value of your kitchen. Many people forget about storage when it comes to building a kitchen. Most people only think about cabinets when they think of storage. There are many creative ways to design new and alternative storage areas.

CHOOSE YOUR CABINETS WISELY

Remember there are two magic rules when it comes to cabinets. Choose a clean style and make sure the space is as functional as possible. You can have a bunch of cabinets for plates and cups but if your microwave and toaster look like they are having a tug-a-war for counter space those cabinets will be little to no help.

NAME BRAND APPLIANCES DON’T ALWAYS WORK BETTER

If you are on a budget it would be wise to stay away from large brand names. Most refrigerators work great and come in many different styles. Pick one that works best for your space, most appliances come with long warranties.

BUY COUNTER DEPTH APPLIANCES

Want to make a space look larger? Get a refrigerator that doesn’t pass the length of your counter top. It’s cheaper and looks better!

DON’T STRESS THE LIGHTING

Lighting is important for any space but most quality cabinetry comes with some type of LED attachment. There is no need to go wild and spend thousands here. Get the basics and make sure people are not cooking in the dark.

AVOID CHEAP CABNETS

If you are anything like me you will be opening and closing cabinets thousands of times a week. It’s a good idea to have something that will last. Make sure the material is durable and looks good.

6 Tips That Will Improve Your Home's Value.

TINY UPGRADES...BIG MONEY

NO MATTER THE SIZE OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, THERE ARE STILL SMALL THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE YOUR RESALE VALUE! 

It does not matter if you are getting your home ready to sell or just want a couple of tips for improving the over all look of your pad. It is important to start where your money counts most. Many home owners and DIY-ers are making huge bucks from prospective buyers by focusing on these 6 areas of their homes. So let us help you get the best return on your investment possible! 

YOUR LAWN IS THE FACE OF YOUR INVESTMENT

This might be the easiest fix one can do at an affordable price. If it is fall or summer your curb appeal matters! When someone sees the FOR SALE sign outside your house, before they even see the bricks and Morter, they see the grass and bushes. If you have an abandoned refrigerator or an old tire from your first car in your front yard it might be time to get rid of that. Nothing screams welcome and attracts more buyers then a nicely maintained lawn. Make your realtors job easier and help him or her get more people into the house. 

YOUR BATHROOM, MIGHT COST YOU YOUR BUTT

(NO PUN INTENDED)

According to any good google search the average person spends nearly a year and a half of their life in the bathroom. Yes! So updating your bathroom and keeping it freshly painted or tiled will definitely raise the desirability and value of your home. Bathroom jobs can be pricey so it might be wise to consult with a real estate professional first. 

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION

Alexa, turn on the kitchen lights... The age of using fingers to turn on the light in a room are over. Switches are so yesterday but if you decide to update the lighting of your place make sure its done right. Remember the old realtor adage "The brighter the room the larger it looks." Go to home depot and get some LED lights and watch your potential buyers shine! 

THE KITCHEN IS THE HEART OF THE HOME

"Home is Where the Heart is."

FALSE! The kitchen is where the heart is. When it comes to a family home, the kitchen is where people congregate the most! Since it's a human need to eat, most traffic and discussions within the home happen around or near the kitchen. So if you want to raise your home's value this is where you might need to start. 

A remodeled kitchen can make a huge difference in the sale of your home. Lacking the funds to redo your whole kitchen? Try replacing old appliances. The fresh chrome look always makes potential buyers happy!

HOLES IN THE WALL WILL CAUSE HOLES IN YOUR POCKET

This might seem obvious, but that hole you made 5 months ago should be patched and re-painted. For some first time home buyers a $15 job might look like a $1000 job. So, to avoid low offers patch the holes up. 

FRESH PAINT MIGHT MAKE YOU A SMALL FORTUNE

One of the best things a home owner can do to raise the value of their home is a fresh paint job. It's important to use natural and warm colors and avoid bright colors. Sorry, that includes baby blue and hot pinks. A fresh paint job is the equivalent to a new car smell. All potential buyers love a newly painted home. 

TIP: MAKE SURE YOU CONSULT AND HIRE PROFESSIONALS! NOTHING IS WORSE THAN A BAD PAINT JOB OR THE WRONG COLOR.