3 Kitchen Quick Fixes under $500 to Help Your Home Sell FAST!

Many of you who are choosing to sell your home get quickly overwhelmed by the process. From the hiring of a Realtor, to the paperwork, those constant showings and more, many homeowners find themselves exhausted! Although you're tired and the idea of cleaning your house for one more "last minute" showing seems daunting I have 3 quick kitchen fixes that not only will help you get top dollar for your home, they only cost a little, and SURE to impress your potential buyer.

Most people know 2 things sell homes: Kitchens and Bathrooms. As a potential Seller you need to be worried about one room the most: Your Kitchen. Although bathroom renovations can get expensive, they're statistically a 6 month after purchase change whereas the Kitchen is seen as an immediate change by 90% of buyers. Making sure your Kitchen is updated and in spotless shape will not only help you sell fast, but will entice potential buyers to make that offer!

1. Kitchen Counter Top Declutter & Wipe Down - Cost? A Bottle of 409, Sponge, and Sweat Equity

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives it's easy to forget that coffee mug, or leave that juicing appliance out. What you don't know? It can actually hurt the sale of your home. Keeping a clean and clutter free surface not only makes your counter space seem bigger, it makes the kitchen seem bigger. That Rice Cooker from last night? Store it away. Those dirty dishes? Throw them in the dishwasher. Having minimal items on your counter such as paper towel holder, kitchen spoon holders, and a coffee pot give your potential buyer the illusion that not only is the space big, it has been thoroughly taken care of and wont need a bio-hazard scrub down upon move in.

Once you've put everything away, scrub it ALL down. That water spot on the stove? BE GONE! That mystery stain on the back wall from spaghetti night? See ya. Each night before bed after cooking, repeat the wipe down process. You want to give your buyers the illusion that your home is perfectly livable for them and not that you were just there the night before with the stir fry disaster of 2017.

2. Get Rid of That Dated Light Fixture - Cost? A Trip To Lowe's in the Lighting Clearance Aisle, and hopefully a Handy Friend/Husband/or Family Member (Budget $50-$250)

Ah, fluorescent lighting. What once was considered cost saving and effective has now become the biggest eyesore of your kitchen. You've hated it, your friends have noticed how its turning brown and is collecting random dead bugs on the inside, and now you're trying to sell your home with that hideous thing. For those of you without fluorescent lighting from the 80's-90's era. Congrats. You're one step ahead. But I bet your 2000's Silver 5 light bulb $50 master piece isn't much better. Admit it, you know I am right.

Here is where Lowe's comes in (YAY!).

They CONSTANTLY have lighting sales.

First step? Take that ugly light down. Youtube is great for how to videos if you're a non-electrical girl like me (hence the family/friend/husband recommendation). Take pictures of your space. Is your kitchen big or small? Is it naturally dark or light? These are important factors when picking a fixture.

Second Step?

Get to Lowe's and find a lighting guy. Yes, I said it. Get Help FIRST. Flag them down, tackle them, whatever you have to do to score an employee. Show them your pictures and tell them how you're looking to sell your home and need a new fixture to update the space and you want to stay under X budget. He will become your best friend. They don't have the one you like? Guess what! THEY SELL THE FLOOR MODELS. Usually with the light bulb! Hello $5 savings. Once Mr. Light Guy has shared his recommendations my final suggestion is to think about the fixture stain: try to stay away from Gold or Silver fixtures that could be buyer specific. Go for the oil rubbed bronze, or black. These are buyer friendly and instead of thinking about how your Gold fixture doesn't match their "kitchen style" they'll be loving your Black option that is simple but subtle.

Here are some recommendations for fixture replacements:

Dark & Dingy Kitchen

$119.00

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Progress-Lighting-Equinox-16-in-4-Light-Antique-Bronze-Globe-Chandelier/50373104

Light & Bright Kitchen

$69.98

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Style-Selections-Grayford-22-2-in-W-Brushed-Nickel-Shades-Semi-Flush-Mount-Light/1000002958?int_cmp=GrayfordCollection:C4:Lighting:Merch:Grayford_Collection_Brushed_Nickel_Semi-Flush_Mount

Big Kitchen with Island

$250.00

https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-Eberline-11-81-in-4-Light-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Crystal-Tiered-Chandelier/50356852

Fluorescent Light Substitute (If it looks just awful when taken down and ceiling has damage)

$150.00

https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-Capistrano-White-Acrylic-Ceiling-Fluorescent-Light-Common-4-ft-Actual-54-37-in/3659660

3. Update your Kitchen Faucet - Cost? Elbow Grease, That Handy Husband/Friend/Family Member, and $90-200

The Kitchen Sink. The amount of hours you spend washing your hands, rinsing dishes, and prepping food in it. It's used all day everyday. Potential buyers know this and one of the biggest easy fixes they ask for: A New Faucet. But Morgan, that's such an easy fix why should I do it and not them? I asked some of my fellow ladies (let's be honest, they do most of the cooking) and they said a huge turn off as a potential buyer is what seems like an "outdated" or "dirty" preparation area for food. That's right. Your outdated faucet just screams germs and makes people think what else could be lurking around your kitchen.

Luckily for you, Lowe's is here to save you again! They have AWESOME options. But don't go in thinking the $50 option will be enough. Sink Faucets have evolved over the years. That stainless fixed option won't be pleasing any buyers. A stainless, oil rubbed, or black finished pull down faucet is the way to go. Kohler, Moen, and Delta are great brands that make these faucets in a variety of finishes (hint, match your new light fixture).

When you pick out that snazzy option either Youtube how to replace it or grab that Handyman and get that old bacteria infested faucet out of there! Your buyers will thank you and hey, you may even be able to enjoy it for awhile before the new homeowner does.

Thanks for reading 3 Quick Kitchen Fixes for under $500! Have questions? Shoot me an email!

Happy Kitchen, Happy Buyer!