| p>Major Renovations | | | | costly and there are manmade materials like Corian? |
| So it makes sense to update the kitchen, right? As a | | | | that are still less expensive and still luxurious. |
| home staging coach, my answer is 'yes'. However | | | | * Cupboards can be painted; you need to prime |
| there area a few things you need to consider: | | | | them, sand and paint. You can even find melamine |
| * Renovating a kitchen is one of the biggest and | | | | paints if you still have this surface cupboard! With the |
| most expensive ($30 - $60,000) undertakings you | | | | addition of new brushed nickel door handles you will |
| can do. Your family will be without the use of the | | | | have a great updated look. There are companies |
| kitchen for possibly months. Can you afford not only | | | | who will put in new cupboards while resurfacing the |
| the cost of the renovations but the cost of eating | | | | sides at 50% less than replacing cupboards and |
| out more, the cost of the emotional upheaval in the | | | | drawers. |
| family home, the dust and chemical smells, etc, etc.? | | | | * Sinks can also be inexpensive to replace. Stainless |
| * When you have completed the kitchen renovation | | | | steel are the most popular right now. If you only |
| will it match the quality of the other rooms in your | | | | have a chip check out the home hardware stores |
| home? If not, this may hinder the full value potential | | | | that carry small bottles of chip filler. Faucet taps can |
| of this investment. | | | | be another good investment -just make sure you |
| * Most kitchen renovations require professional | | | | get a new one that works with your existing |
| advice and qualified contractors to do the job so that | | | | hardware. |
| it adds value to your home, done poorly will be a | | | | * Appliances need to be updated. Check for sales or |
| deterrent. Remember you will need a building permit if | | | | almost-new appliance stores. Costco has some great |
| you are doing major renovations. | | | | buys as do many of the local big box home |
| Or, Minor Improvements | | | | hardware stores. Stainless steel, black or white are |
| My advice to you is not to spend too much money | | | | the most popular for selling. If you have some chips |
| on major renovations but make some minor | | | | in your appliances go to your home hardware store |
| improvements that will update the look of your | | | | and buy a small bottle of chip filler for stoves and |
| home. These 'TOP TIPS' will help you get your | | | | fridges. |
| kitchens looking great for selling no matter who your | | | | * Kitchen Islands are popular as they can add some |
| target market is. | | | | extra work space if you have the room to put one |
| You can make these changes yourself or hire a | | | | in. Ready-made islands can be purchased from many |
| professional. | | | | stores such as Ikea, Home Depot, Rona, etc. Caution: |
| 'TOP TIPS' Kitchen Improvements for Budget | | | | if there is not enough room, trendy or not, better |
| Conscious Sellers: | | | | not to buy one if it makes your kitchen look small! |
| * Best Paint Colours in the kitchen are medium tones | | | | * Kitchen Eating Area needs to be tidy, clean and |
| in yellows, greens and beiges; nothing too dark and | | | | inviting. The goal is to make each room in your home |
| nothing too light. Add some accessory colours such | | | | look spacious. Whether you have kitchen stools or |
| as reds, oranges and yellows in bowls of fruit, | | | | table and chairs ensure this area is not cluttered with |
| containers or floral arrangements. | | | | too many chairs. In staging "Less is More". |
| * If your Lighting Fixtures are old then replace them. | | | | * Your Open House Ready Look - remove all the |
| You can buy very current brushed nickel light fixtures | | | | clutter and all of your personal items. Buyers don't |
| for very reasonable prices at Home Depot, Ikea, | | | | want to see all the things that you need out on the |
| Canadian Tire or Rona. The old brass plates just don't | | | | counter for your everyday use. Now is the time to |
| have the look home buyers want. If you have a | | | | sort through what you really need to keep, give |
| sunshine ceiling paint out the wood colour the same | | | | away, sell or throw out. Recycle where you can. |
| as the ceiling - it diminishes it from being a focal point. | | | | Counter tops should be clear with the exception of a |
| You can also replace the glass with an updated look. | | | | few accessories. Clean until every single thing |
| * Flooring does not have to be an expensive item for | | | | sparkles in the kitchen. Sinks need to be spotless, no |
| your kitchen update. Linoleum is inexpensive and | | | | dishcloth hanging on the tap or on the sink counter; |
| works well in kitchens. Tiles are another good | | | | floors need to be 'clean enough to eat |
| product; bamboo and cork flooring is currently popular | | | | off'¡Remove area rugs in the kitchen. |
| in kitchens. Avoid using carpet in a kitchen. | | | | Keep the cooking smells to a minimum in the kitchen |
| * Counter tops don't need to cost a fortune to | | | | during a showing. No smells are better than bad |
| replace. You can purchase inexpensive laminates that | | | | smells! The smell of baking bread or cookies can be |
| will give you a great updated look. Countertops can | | | | pleasing if not overdone. Fresh air and lots of light |
| also be resurfaced for far less than the cost of any | | | | make for a great feeling in the kitchen. |
| new counter tops! And while granite is trendy it is | | | | |