Success in selling Long Beach homes can depend on being able to distinguish what is important to buyers from what is not. Proactive homeowners know that one room usually gets more attention than does any other: the kitchen.
There are many good reasons why this is so (we have discussed them before) -- but one kitchen detail in particular can have a disproportionate impact. It’s a detail that is all too easy to overlook: the condition of the appliances.
Realty Times declares, “Sellers should update their appliances." I don’t think I would go quite that far, but the gist is right. When the appliances look like they deserve their starring role in the main act -- the kitchen -- it indicates a homeowner who has taken pride in their property. To a prospective buyer choosing whether or not to write an offer, it can be decisive.
If you are selling a Long Beach home this fall, it will definitely pay to take a critical look at your kitchen’s appliances, and then taking action!
Of course, begin by deep-cleaning them thoroughly. Potential buyers often look inside appliances…and the last thing you want them to find is a crusty oven or rusty dishwasher. It’s true that after a few years of wear and tear, most kitchens don’t look like they belong on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens. But before you commit to wholesale appliance replacement, first see if some light cosmetic action might make that unnecessary.
Check your appliances for scratches, and if they are prominent enough, do something about them. For surface scratches, get a bottle of matching-color appliance paint (available at local Long Beach hardware stores), then dot or stipple the smallest amount possible onto the scratch. For deeper scratches, fill first with a filler material you’ll find in one of the do-it-yourself scratch repair kits offered by auto parts stores. After it has had time to dry, step back and inspect. If you have to know where to look to notice anything: Good job! That was certainly a lot more economical than buying a new appliance.
When all else fails, replacements may be necessary. If you go this route, make sure you go color- and tone-neutral. Remember that many homes will undergo remodeling by their new owners, and their taste may be different from yours. Don’t be tempted to blow the budget by buying appliances that outclass the rest of the property, but also be careful to select appliances that don't look cheap, outdated or out of place where they will be sited in the kitchen.
If you are one of those preparing to sell your Long Beach or Lakewood home this fall, I offer complimentary consultations prior to listing. We can go over big and small changes that will help maximize your return! Give me a call and we can sit down together and brain-storm what would be your best options … Until Next Time!