How Appliances Sell Your Home Faster

Sonia Hwang
2019-12-16T16:30:00-05:00

Are you thinking of selling your home? We’ve got some nifty selling and appliance renovation tips to help you get the home sale you want.
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While it may sound counter-intuitive, upgrading your appliances can make a difference in how fast your home sells!

When a potential buyer tours a house listed on the market, the main focus is typically the kitchen. The kitchen is where family members gather to chat, snack, and spend quality time together. Whether that includes creating a family meal or just catching up over a cup of tea, the kitchen is the heart of the home.

That’s why it’s important to consider that when you’re doing your preparations and renovations before listing your home! Here are the best ways to turn your home into buyer bait:

Befriend a Realtor

Before you get your listing up, having some insight into trends and what should be done to make your home more appealing can save you a lot of time and energy! You can also find out what you should stay away from in your renovation. Don’t worry – if you don’t have a realtor on your friendslist, you can always find news sources online! But be wary — try to stick to timeless trends if you're doing your own research. Especially if you're planning to live in your home for a bit longer before putting it up on the market!

Neutral Style and Colours

Although a flashy kitchen with statement-making wall paint and not-your-average colour appliances can be an enjoyable renovation to perform, it’s not always practical. It can limit the number of people that show interest in purchasing the home. Instead, stick to a simple style that features a neutral palette. Select countertops and cabinets that will easily complement and accommodate a wide variety of styles and colour preferences. If it feels a little bland, try adding some greenery for a little pop of colour and life.

De-Clutter, Organize, and Clean

There is nothing more off-putting to potential buyers than a small, cluttered kitchen. If you have small appliances filling the countertops, photos, magnets and memos hanging off the fridge, and containers of spices strewn around the stove, it’s going to make your space feel even smaller.

Before your realtor brings some future homeowners through your front door, be sure to clear off all the countertops and appliances, store photos and calendars in a box, and give everything a quick wipe down to keep your kitchen looking de-cluttered, organized, and clean. Additionally, you can pack up your seasonal dishes and cookware preemptively to give yourself a bit more storage space.

Consider the Cost of the Home

Even if your budget allows for a top-of-the-line luxury kitchen overhaul, that project may not be in the best interest of the home. If the neighbourhood or the home itself doesn’t warrant a major kitchen renovation investment, consider using the extra funds to update other areas of the house once a more modest kitchen remodel has been completed. It might be more worthwhile to have an inspection to see if the house has any other repairs that are higher priority.

A renovation can make a huge difference!

Add A ‘Wow!’ Factor

If the reno budget allows, consider adding a few specialty items that will make any potential purchasers say ‘wow!’ They might make the difference between a pass and a purchase!

Some of these items can include:

Custom cabinetry that features a pull-out pantry or spice rack

A beverage or wine fridge (We're in the Okanagan, need I say more?)

High-end, industrial-looking gas ranges

Creative use of ambiance-creating lighting

Built-in appliances

Think: Wide Open Spaces

If everyone making reno decisions is on board, consider increasing the surface space of the kitchen. This can include knocking down walls and expanding the kitchen into the dining room or living area. Buyers in today’s market are almost always looking for a home that offers clean sight lines from the kitchen into every corner. The open floor plan concept is great for families and couples that enjoy entertaining.

Updating an outdoor kitchen is another great way to increase the value of a home for resale purposes. For a little insight into what makes an outdoor kitchen great check out our blog: Stay Cool this Summer: 8 Tips for Cooking with Kitchen Appliances

Clean the Outside and the Inside of Your Major Kamloops Appliances

Once your home is on the market, there’s a good chance potential homebuyers will sneak a peek inside your refrigerator, dishwasher, or oven. To make sure your kitchen stands out amongst the others, show off your appliances by:

Throwing out the old, odorous leftovers shoved in the back corner

Wiping down the crisper and the shelves

Doing the dishes so there aren’t any dirty dishes lying around in the sink or dishwasher

Carefully wiping down the outside of the stove, fridge, dishwasher, and microwave

Packing up leftovers in sealed, neatly stacked containers

Keeping the oven free of stains and crumbs by cleaning often

Making sure everything smells fresh and clean (one handy tip is to simmer citrus on the stove before an open house!)

When potential buyers see a clean and tidy kitchen, they will assume your house has been well taken care of, and they’re more apt to start imagining it as their own home.

When All Else Fails, Upgrade!

New Kamloops appliances can come with a new major price tag, but new appliances can make all the difference when it’s time to put your house on the market. Shiny new appliances are an investment that can instantly boost the interest in and selling price of your home. By choosing matching appliances that complement your kitchen, you can arm your kitchen with all the right tools for a quick sale.

For all of your appliance needs, come and speak to the appliance experts at Genier’s in Vernon. We specialize in a wide variety of different makes and models. We can also help you decide which appliances will bring the most value to your home by taking you on a tour through our live showroom. Come see us today!