Seller Tips: Kitchen Upgrades that Won’t Break the Bank

As you have likely heard before, the kitchen is the centerpiece of most homes these days. It therefore comes as no surprise that kitchens sell homes.

If your kitchen isn’t exactly stellar, but you don’t have thousands to devote to a remodel, don’t despair. There are many ways to update your kitchen before you list your University Park home for sale:

• Out with the old, in with the new. Outdated lighting does absolutely nothing for your kitchen and, chances are, it is the first thing buyers notice when they walk into your kitchen. Instead of scaring them away with outdated lighting fixtures reminiscent of bad 70s sitcoms, take a walk through your local home improvement center and check out all the newest lighting fixtures. From contemporary to traditional, there are a great variety of lighting fixtures that are sure to suit your style - and your budget.
• Cover them up and go from there. If you are lucky enough to have wood cabinetry in your kitchen, but they’ve seen better days, there is absolutely no better way to instantly transform them than to give them a quick coat or two of paint or stain. While you’re at it, switch out the old hardware and handles with something more streamlined and clean, and voila, you’ve just updated your kitchen cabinetry for a fraction of what new cabinetry would have cost.
• Say hello to new countertops. Old countertops that are nicked, scratched or just plain worn out can not be repaired. However, you can replace them with new, laminate countertops. Before you break out into a cold sweat when you hear the word laminate, don’t fret: laminate countertops have come a long way in just the past, few years. In fact, some of today’s laminate countertops are quite attractive, even mimicking granite or marble.
• Everything and the kitchen sink.  A stained, scratched kitchen sink can do nothing but bring your new countertops down, so replace your kitchen sink with a new one and you’ll instantly see a difference. If your budget allows, install a new kitchen faucet (make sure it matches your new light fixtures) and reap the rewards of a quick sale for your University Park home.