In most cases, remodeling your home in order to sell it for more money is not a wise idea. Very rarely will you get a return on investment. However, there is a major exception, and that is remodeling the kitchen.

Your kitchen is the center of the home. In fact, a fabulous kitchen can sell a home faster than the right number of bedrooms or even the right school district. Plus, the return on investment is usually 85 to 100% of the cost of the remodel, as long as you don't go overboard.

 

Your kitchen remodel should:

 

·         Keep costs reasonable. The rule of thumb is less than 7 to 10% of your home's value.

·         Keep the kitchen within the norms of other homes in the neighborhood

·         Appeal to the largest number of potential buyers

 

Talk with an agent to determine what buyers are looking for in a kitchen and then decide what you can do to accommodate those desires.

 

Here are 5 improvements to your kitchen you should consider making before selling your home.

 

#1: Granite Counters

Buyers love granite counters, so if possible, adding this to your kitchen can increase the value of your home substantially. One study showed that having granite counter tops helped homes sell faster and for 4% more.

 

#2: Wood or Tile Floors

Buyers are never impressed with vinyl flooring, even if it is new. Although new flooring doesn't typically add to the price of the house, old flooring will certainly take away from it. Both wood flooring and tile are good choices for the kitchen.

 

#3: Backsplash

Your backsplash should add a pop of color or design that coordinates with the rest of your kitchen. Adhesive tiles are easy to add, and like counters, can add up to 4% more on the buying price of a home.

 

#4 Cabinets

Although this sounds like a big deal, you can update your cabinets without starting from scratch. You can paint or restain them, and then add some new handles.

 

#5: Sink

A modern faucet and shiny sink make a big difference in the way a kitchen looks. If your faucet drips, the sprayer leaks, or the sink is stained or scratched, definitely consider replacing it. Deeper sinks, as well as farmhouse sinks, are now in style along with high-arc faucets.

Since a kitchen is often what sells a home, make sure yours fits the bill for homes in your area by following these five tips.