If you plan to sell your Sunset Beach home, you likely realize that the state of your kitchen matters greatly to potential buyers. The kitchen is well known as the heart of a home and the most scrutinized and considered area by potential buyers. Knowing what buyers are looking for and also what could turn a buyer off is important when trying to successfully sell your Sunset Beach home.
What Kitchen Characteristics Turn Buyers Off?
Tile countertops
In the 1990s, the tile countertop was seen as trendy and stylish. It also came with the added benefit of being able to place anything on the surface, hot or cold, without damaging the surface. Today, a tiled countertop is seen as an outdated, worn-out fixture with grout lines full of germs. Many potential buyers cringe at the sight of tile countertops, especially those grout lines that have the potential to harbor who knows what. If your kitchen is sporting 90s tile countertops, it is well worth a replacement.
Appliances that don’t match
While the preference for color and finish of appliances is constantly changing, with even more rapidly changing trends, appliances that are all different colors will never be appealing. Make sure that appliances match in at least color to bring a sense of cohesiveness and keep the eye from being overwhelmed and stressed out, feeling like the area is chaotic. If you have one stainless steel appliance, make sure that the rest of them are also stainless steel. The most appealing of appliances are those that disappear into the cabinetry, yet you don’t have to go out and purchase appliances with expensive top-of-the-line details just to make sure they all work together.
Fluorescent lighting
Fluorescent lights had their day several years ago, but they are now seen as clinical and not something that is homie and decorative. Fluorescent lighting can also create an unpleasant buzz and a very harsh, bright light. Instead, opt for LED recessed lighting with a stylish pendant fixture to make the kitchen feel fresh and new. Proper lighting is crucial in any space in a home to make it feel bright and cheerful, not harsh and clinical.
Clutter in open shelving
Open shelving has become more and more popular, but putting too much stuff on open shelving creates chaos and is overwhelming for the eyes. If you have open shelving in your kitchen, this can be a great way to stylize and appeal to buyers, but it needs to be minimal and cohesive with a theme or color scheme to make it feel decorative and intentional, and draw the eye to the space pleasantly, not overwhelm it.
Cheap flooring
The kitchen is a workhorse of the home, and cheap fixtures in the kitchen are an instant turn-off, especially if it is in the flooring. The floor sees a lot of impact, and having a quality floor in the kitchen is highly important. It is not suggested to rip out the flooring and take on a huge expense unless your flooring is in extremely bad condition.
The state of the kitchen in your Sunset Beach home is critically important to having your home appeal to potential homebuyers. The best way to determine what attention your kitchen may need to get it ready to sell is to work with a local experienced real estate agent. If you are considering selling your home in Sunset Beach, please contact us. We are here to help you with any Sunset Beach real estate needs, both buying and selling properties.
“Karen and Frank Baker are patient and professional. They listen to what you want in a home and find it. It took me a few years to get to the “I’m ready to buy” point, but Karen and Frank stuck with me and never pressured me. We found my perfect home and I’m happy…..” – Sunset Beach and Beyond testimonial
Let the team at Sunset Beach and Beyond help you sell your Sunset Beach home. We are experts in Sunset Beach real estate.