Whether you just moved in or have been living in the same Atlanta house for the past couple of years, it is always wise to plan all major renovations, such as kitchen remodeling, even if the actual home improvements are done gradually. Planning is important especially when the house remodeling job you are contemplating costs a fortune.
While basic home improvements such as fixing a leaky roof or keeping the basement dry should always be top priorities, major renovations like a kitchen remodel shouldn’t be forgotten about either – that is if you want your home to retain a prime spot in the Atlanta real estate market.
According to home improvement experts, HGTV, a kitchen remodeling can easily give you a 60-120 percent return on investment if ever you decide to sell your home.
The common mistakes in upgrading your home’s kitchen
Most homeowners get a little too excited whenever they achieve their target budget in remodeling their own kitchens. The most common mistake any homeowner makes is to treat the kitchen renovation like something they need to do from the ground up. Before they know it, they’ve overshot their budget without really increasing the value of their home.
A kitchen renovation need not to be a major overhaul. Sure, those big, fancy countertops look nice but it may not necessarily increase your home’s saleability as the next homeowner might not be as sold on them as you are. Also, you need not replace the kitchen flooring if you already have some sturdy wood or stone work installed. Just a good old-fashioned scrubbing to clean it up might be enough if you really don’t have the budget to get it replaced.
The easiest thing you can do for your kitchen is to apply a fresh coat of environmentally friendly paint in modern, bright colors. Add to that the replacement or repair of old cabinets and drawers and replacing the major kitchen appliances with energy-efficient ones. These little improvements can go a long way in increasing the overall value of your home.
Why kitchen remodeling is important
Everybody has to eat, which is why most house buyers go straight to the kitchen to get a feel of things. Your kitchen might well make or break the deal, so it is very important that you pay specific attention to its remodeling. However, this does not mean that you should go broke in upgrading your kitchen just to increase your home’s overall market value.
Spending a lot on a kitchen remodel will not guarantee that you’ll recover every penny you put into it. For one thing, potential buyers might not appreciate a high-end kitchen. For another, it might expand the value of your house exponentially so that you will find yourself priced out of the local market and will not get any offers. Just keep in mind that your kitchen simply needs to look neat, clean, spacious, and functional. Any excessive, and likely expensive, upgrades may be counterproductive in the long run.
Remember, home renovations need not to be done all at once. Gradually improving the space is the key for a better chance of increasing your home’s market value.
Sources:
7 Home Improvement & Remodeling Ideas that Increase Home Value (And What to Avoid), moneycrashers.com
Will Your Home Remodel Pay Off?, investopedia.com
