What can help with condo resale? Redoing kitchen?
So, I own a condo and want to be able to sell it in the next few years. I’ve heard that redoing the kitchen can help. The kitchen and bathrooms are basically identical to what it was when the place was built in 1988.
Right now the cabinets are ok, not really in bad shape in terms of being banged up, but it is formica countertops and door fronts with what appears to be an oak finish (I don’t think it is solid wood) on the sides and such. The frames seem ok, though I really hate the oak finish.
Do you think this is a decent investment? If so, how should I do it? I want to maximize my resale value as compared to what I’m putting in. What do you recommend? I’ve heard I can refinish the cabinets and put new doors on it. The cabinet boxes themselves seem ok, but I’d certainly want to update the look if it doesn’t come out looking like shit. The countertops certainly need to go. Do I want to go with something like granite? How about solid wood? My counter is really small, 25"x100" on one side and 30"x36" on the other.
Do you have any other ideas? The carpeting is ok. We repainted the entire place when we bought it a few years ago. The bathroom is in fairly good shape with tile floor and tiled shower. The sink/counter in the bathroom could be replaced though.
Buggest updates would be new kitchen appliances if they are also still original from 1988. New stove, dishwasher, fridge etc… Countertops are easy and don’t necessarily have to be granite. Most hardware stores have laminate countertops in stock that you can just throw in the cart and buy instead of having them made which can be expensive. They ready made ones, are inexpensive and usually look decent. They change the colors and patterns of the ones they have in stock about every month. So if you don’t like what’s there tomorrow, wait and try again next month. It also allows you to cut them to whatever size you need. A new sink to go with the new countertop is always nice. The floor is another place where an update makes a big difference. Even if all you get is laminate tiles for about $1 a square foot it will make a difference.
As for the cabinets, you may not like the oak look but someone else might. Something easy like changing the hinges and pulls will make a difference. Or you could stain them a different color or paint them.
Bathrooms. Clean the tub and shower really good. Maybe replace the tub faucet and shower head for an easy update. If you have a vanity sink you might want to look at replacing it with a pedastal style sink and getting a new mirror and wall mount cabinet or something like that. Replacing the lighting in the bathroom will also help update it.
The biggest savings will be in doing this stuff yourself instead of hiring someone. It also helps to be patient, wait for sales and look for deals instead of buying the first thing you see. Oh and don’t forget when you are redoing a place to sell it’s not about what you like. A generic clean looking base without any fancy patterns or colors will be appealing to more buyers. It’s easier for the buyer to add their own color than change yours.
the floor in the kitchen is pretty nice already. it is all tiled. i already replaced the washer and dryer and want to switch the dishwasher in the near future. the stove is still in really good shape considering it is original, though we replaced the knobs recently. the fridge is in good shape as well and doesn’t seem like it is original. if i’m redoing the kitchen though, i’ll probably consider replacing all 3.
i know i certainly want to update the cabinet fronts (which are made of the same material as the countertop) and the counter top. i’ll definitely look into the laminate stuff you mentioned.
EDIT: thank you, by the way. didn’t want to seem rude.
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