Help Sellers Get More Bang for Their Kitchen Remodel Buck

A do-over in the kitchen will bowl over buyers—and sellers will recoup most of the cost when they sell. A mid-range kitchen remodel brings an average 72 percent return on investment, while an upscale kitchen re-do returns an average of 63 percent of the money invested, according to Remodeling Magazine’s most recent annual Cost vs. Value Report.

You can help sellers maximize the return on a kitchen remodel with tips now available in the July “Smart Kitchen Solutions” article package at the REALTOR^® Content Resource. Here’s just a taste:

1. Keep the same footprint. No matter the size and scope of your planned kitchen, you can save major expense by not rearranging walls and locating any new plumbing fixtures near existing plumbing pipes. Not only will you save on demolition and reconstruction, you’ll greatly reduce the amount of dust and debris your project generates.

2. Focus on durability. “People are putting more emphasis on functionality and durability in the kitchen,” says Molly Erin McCabe, owner of A Kitchen That Works design firm in Bainbridge Island, Wash. That may mean resisting bargain prices and focusing on products that combine low-maintenance with long warranty periods.

“Solid-surface countertops [Corian, Silestone] are a perfect example,” adds McCabe. “They may cost a little more, but they’re going to look as good in 10 years as they did the day they were installed.” If you’re not planning to stay in your house that long, products with substantial warranties can also become a selling point.

For even more ways sellers can beef up the amount of money they recoup from a kitchen remodel, check out the July “Smart Kitchen Solutions” article package at the REALTOR^® Content Resource. If sellers’ kitchen is already sizzling hot, the package also includes tips on green kitchen remodels, smart options for kitchen flooring, tips for saving energy in the kitchen, and budget-smart remodeling.

The REALTOR^® Content Resource, the new tool brought to you by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^®, is an exclusive NAR member benefit that entitles you to download free homeownership content in your consumer website, blog, or e-newsletter. HouseLogic is the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS’^® no-topic-left-uncovered consumer website geared to helping homeowners make smart decisions to maintain, protect, and increase the value of their home.