A quick guide to ‘will my new Kitchen add value to my home?’

This is a question that is often asked but for which there is no ‘stock’ answer. Statistics over the years have typically shown you will get back about 80% of what you spend on your new kitchen and it is certainly in the top 3 items people look for when buying a new home (the others being new windows and central heating).

There are two sides to the argument and no right or wrong so you will need to make a judgement based on your circumstances and advice from your Estate Agent and Kitchen Designer.

One side of the argument is: Although a new kitchen may or may not add actual value it will increase the sale-ability of your home. Where a buyer is comparing similiar properties your beautiful new kitchen may be the clincher. Your house is ready to move into straight away and people transfer a lot of emotions and desires into houses and they picture themsleves living in your new home, they see themselves living that glamorous lifestyle and it really can close the deal. People buy wants not needs so it is about creating ‘the dream’.

The flip side is that everyone has their own tastes and you can spend a lot of time and money on a new kitchen that your prospective buyer will want to rip out and replace. Therefore is it worth simply reducing the price of the house to give people an allowance to get their own kitchen ?

The only thing to bear in mind is that when moving some people do love ‘projects’ although the majority will want to just move in. Even if they are not enamoured with the kitchen buyers will often feel it something they can live with and worry about later if it is in good condition.

The only other thing to bear in mind, as with decorating a house to sell is to keep your new kitchen to more neautral colours and finishes. Ask you Kitchen Designer which are the most popular styles and colours to appeal to the widest possible market