Straight Talk on Tuesday Morning

In her book, Set the Stage for a Sale, Ilaria Barion suggests making the kitchen the Star of the Production.  She says “Kitchens are sellers. If you’ve got a great kitchen, you’re more than halfway home to a sale.” 

So where do you start? A total kitchen remodel may be out of the question, and you may not be able to afford her suggestion of replacing old countertops and appliances but other little things could make a big difference in getting your home sold. Consider repainting old cabinets, adding new knobs and pulls, and putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls. I’m not sure why I get such resistance but plenty of sellers are trying to market their homes with kitchens that are just not very appealing to buyers.

Regular readers of my blog know that I have an aversion to bad photos. I think bad kitchen photos bother me more than any others. Refrigerator art, dish towels hanging on the appliances, dog dishes, and cluttered counters don’t belong in MLS photos. It is as simple as that.

In Secret 4 of the book, Ilaria suggests that sellers, in order to detach themselves from the process, take photos of every room in their home, print them out, and see what buyers will see when they shop. The photos also offer a great view of what buyers will see on the internet. (And that’s where over 80% of them start to shop!) This is a great tip, especially when dealing with your kitchen. Try to be objective. Your kids may love the Pink Pig cookie jar but it takes up valuable space and looks out of place in your photo. Your magnets, antique cans, and even your bread machine, just look like clutter to a buyer. Remember, you want your kitchen, not your beer mug collection, to be the Star of the Production! I know that hurts but I’m trying to help.

Straight Talk on Tuesday Morning is an ongoing series for sellers in New London County who are willing to listen, roll up their sleeves, and do what they need to do to get their home sold. If you aren’t serious about selling your home, then move along.  There is nothing to see here.