When updating a kitchen for resale, try not to overspend. (Photo: iStockphoto)
Question: I am planning to put my home on the market, but my kitchen needs updating. I am thinking of installing new kitchen cabinetry to help my home sell. Is this a good move?
Answer: In today's sluggish real estate market, you want to do everything you can to appeal to hesitant buyers. But, today's buyers are looking for value and don't want to spend any more for a home than necessary. That means that if you plunk a lot of money into your kitchen, you are unlikely to make that money back upon resale.
I would suggest making small fixes that would give the kitchen a new, fresh look. Perhaps you can try repainting the cabinets and adding new cabinet hardware and door pulls to update them. Or, you could try resurfacing them -- I would certainly try to steer away from replacing the cabinets altogether, which would be costly.
To make sure your kitchen shines, keep it clean and tidy, clear off those countertops and perhaps add a fresh coat of paint or some new kitchen curtains. Cincinnati.com offers a helpful list of how to best stage your home for the real estate market.—Lauren Baier Kim