If you’re selling or buying a new home there are a few areas that carry a bit more weight in the buying decision than others. These areas can make or break the deal. To get the most value out of your home these two areas should be paid the most attention to. The rooms buyers seem to naturally judge the most are the kitchen and master bath. 

The Kitchen

The kitchen is often the centerpiece of your home. It goes without saying that a glistening well oriented kitchen can dramatically improve the value of your home as well as get the attention of prospective buyers. It’s not only important to make it look great but it needs to function great as well.  People don’t want a refrigerator located in another room or where the oven and dishwasher smack into each other when they open. When you’re looking to sell your home or if you’re just wanting to increase the value of your home then making any upgrades to your home should almost always start in your kitchen. When upgrading your kitchen it is important to start with a plan.  

The Master Bath

There's no better feeling after a long day then getting away from the noise and being in your own private spa. The master bath should be a place of sanctity and relaxation. It's where we sing as if no one is watching. It's where our truest self comes out. The master bath can be a huge selling point for a potential buyer or renter and making the necessary changes to give it that relaxing spa-like feeling it deserves.

The Do’s

Do your research 

If you’re well acquainted with our neighbors then maybe you already have a good sense of what homes in your area already look like. If you don't simply look up some homes for sale online and see how your kitchen or master bath compares to homes in your area. It is important to get a feel for current trends and although what we see on Pinterest may be nice it’s more important on what people in your area like vs. what we see on social media or HGTV.

Be practical

It’s important to use what you’ve got. It’s always fun to dream and we get quite enamored with the latest HGTV shows but those amazing designs come with a quite hefty price tag that may completely destroy any profit or even put you in the hole. It’s amazing what a simple coat of paint, new handles or light fixture can do to your current kitchen or master bathroom. If you really need to replace a shower or countertop there are plenty of affordable options out there.

Affordable doesn’t mean cheap!

If you’re planning on living in your home for at least the next decade then maybe you want to spend a little more for that higher end feel. But if you're prepping it to sell, rent or flip then there are way cheaper options that will give a much bigger bang for your buck. You obviously don’t want to install something that is so cheap that it will need to be replaced quickly or worse, break upon installation. There are great fiberglass showers that look like tile that are great quality and look amazing and will cost way less than a full tiled shower. You can find a nice solid surface or laminate countertop that looks amazing and doesn’t empty your wallet.

The Dont’s

Don’t overdo it, seriously. 

It’s obvious we want to get the greatest possible amount of value from our home but there is a point of diminishing returns. This is why research is important. If the average home price in your neighborhood is $150k it’s completely unrealistic that you are going to sell your home for $250k if the square footage and amenities are comparable. So putting in those granite countertops or that beautifully tiled shower will not increase its value at all in regards to profit. 

Don’t be too trendy

We all have our own unique personalities and tastes. But when it comes to selling a home we want to be the most appealing to the masses. Bold paint colors and wallpaper may work for you but may send many people running for the hills. Although those open cabinet shelves look pretty, are they really practical to a busy soccer mom? So think twice about your design.

Conclusion

So when it comes to selling your home we know that the kitchen and master bathroom are the most important rooms to focus on when it comes to maximizing your profit. When making upgrades we want to take into consideration the value of the homes and current trends of the kitchens and baths within our neighborhood. Making simple updates by giving these areas a new coat of paint, new faucet or door handle can really make a difference. Don’t overdo it! You can find a lot of affordable options that don’t break the budget and look amazing. We want to appeal to the masses to get the most possible offers and the primary things buyers want in these areas are clean, updated and functional.