What Sells? – September 2023
In our last blog we talked about dishwashers. Hard to believe but in 2023 there are people that just don’t feel the need for one. Not surprisingly, there was quite a lot of feedback. Most but not all was pro dishwasher. The bottom line was you need a dishwasher if you want to sell you home.
The article also sparked a broader conversation, what sells?
This is a question that I am asked quite often. Understandably, when people are considering investing in a kitchen or bath remodel, they want to know they are adding to the value of their home and making it more sellable. So, what sells?
For me it starts at the curb. Curb appeal is real. Think about it, when a person pulls up to your home, they first see is the front elevation including landscaping. Shortly after taking it all in they begin to focus on the first stop. The front door. The front door is the first thing they focus on and touch. Don’t underestimate the value of a great entrance.
The reason I take this more holistic approach is simple. I don’t want people having two or more negative impressions just before seeing my work.
The next impression you make is typically when your guest first sees the kitchen. What is the focal point their eyes will be drawn too? There is only one creative space in the kitchen. When you cook you create. Therefore, whatever you can do to make your cooking area spacious and inviting the better off you are. Next, whatever you can do to make the cleaning station more functional, spacious, and inviting the better off you are. Last word on the kitchen, clean the refrigerator inside and out.
The same principles apply to your bathrooms. When the door is first opened what will a visitor see? It will likely be something you look right past every day.
One often overlooked workspace is the laundry. If you can locate a bright and spacious laundry area on the same level as the bedrooms, do it. Parents (usually moms) will love it.
Finally, don’t underestimate the value of a good lighting package inside and out.
Side note: I once published pictures of an award-winning kitchen I had just completed. In preparation of the photo shoot, we removed most of the appliances and miscellaneous things from the countertop. Weeks later after publishing the photos I received a call from a top designer I worked with who had one question regarding the project. The question, why do they have such a small coffee maker? For the record it was a four cup Cuisinart. This story also predates Keurig’s. I won’t mention the designer’s name here. Besides, I don’t think Emily reads my newsletter or blogs anyway.
