Should I renovate the kitchen before selling?
It’s important that your property puts its best foot forward when it comes time to sell, but does that mean you should be making over major areas of the home like the kitchen and bathroom?
Often sellers spend a fortune investing in brand new kitchens and bathrooms only for the buyer to undo their hard work when they put their own stamp on the property.
So, is it worth renovating the kitchen and bathroom?
The answer to that question depends on a whole host of factors, including the current kitchen and bathroom condition, property price point, and a whole lot more.
Property condition
If your property’s touted as a renovator’s dream with work to be done in almost every area, there’s little advantage to starting that process pre-sale with a kitchen and bathroom renovation.
Often the true appeal of original or really dated properties is the fact the new owners can put their own stamp on the home.
And this personalisation might encompass everything from adding an extension to reconfiguring the rooms and stripping out or significantly altering the bathrooms and kitchen.
Room condition
It’s also a good idea to weigh up the room condition. For example, the kitchen and bathrooms might not be the latest and greatest but they might still be pristine. In this case an upgrade won’t be necessary.
However, if the kitchens and bathrooms are tired, dated and even damaged, then a renovation might be worth the investment. And this is particularly the case if these areas are the only spaces letting down an otherwise immaculate home.
That said, if you are renovating the kitchen and bathroom prior to sale, this is not the time to go fulfilling your personal renovation passion.
Instead, opt for something relatively neutral (and cost effective) that’s likely to appeal to a wide range of potential buyers.
Price point
The price bracket that your property falls into also impacts whether or not to undertake major renovations on areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
And if you do need to give these areas a makeover, it will affect exactly how far you should go.
For example, it would be overcapitalising to go all out on a new kitchen and bathrooms in a property that’s suited to first home buyers and therefore in a lower price bracket.
But, if it’s a modern luxury property in a blue-chip area, a contemporary kitchen and bathrooms could nudge the price point a little higher.
Upgrade alternatives
Rather than a full kitchen and bathroom renovation, consider easy and cost-effective ways to give those areas a tidy or minor makeover.
A quick coat of paint is a great way to freshen up a room and give it a light, bright feel, while replacing hardware such as drawer handles and taps can also make these areas feel more modern.
Meanwhile, you can also give your kitchen and bathrooms a mini renovation by:
- Switching out splashbacks in the kitchen
- Replacing the kitchen benchtops, or bathroom vanity.
- Changing the light fixtures
- Using tile paint to cover old and dated wall tiles
Ask your agent
If you’re pondering whether to give the kitchen and bathrooms in your property a renovation prior to sale, speak with your real estate agent first.
They can give you an insight into whether the expense will reap a worthwhile return and also give some advice on what you might need to do in order to bring those areas up to par.
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