Kitchens sell houses but be careful where you spend $$

It happens over and over.   John and Jane spend $25K on their kitchen and think that makes their home worth $25K more.   I have lectured and lectured and it sometimes falls on deaf ears.  When buyers look at homes they expect them to have a reasonable modern functioning kitchen (and baths)  When a homeowner spends $10K on deferred maintenance that money just went to bring the house up to where it should have been kept.  That $10K is money the homeowner should have been spending over the years to keep current on repairs.  Now if they spend an additional $15K on the right upgrades they'll probably get some of that back when they sell.
With the cold weather upon us, creating a warm and inviting kitchen can make a big difference in a home's overall appeal. With a few well-chosen finish updates, you can shift tone and mood and purchase interest. Fit and finish in a room convey quality - or lack thereof - so it's important to look around and pay attention to details.

Color and light are the easiest, most cost-efficient elements to add warmth to the kitchen, and you need go no further than the vegetable bin or spice cabinet for inspiration. A scheme of natural greens, yellows, mustards and russets washed with dimmable overhead and under-cabinet lighting can add energy as well as create a level of calm...a kitchen for any mood. If the existing cabinets are sturdy but the finish is sending out a distress signal, a well-executed paint job can turn it around . Mismatched appliances and worn flooring are other leading visual cues, so if the budget permits, replace them.     Bob Hashbarger 417 209 4480