Realtors have been saying it for years:
Kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms that sell a home. So it makes sense
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to renovate or update here first.
A KITCHEN WITH SPICE
Kitchen Kraft is busy. The Columbusbased company’s owner, Jim Deen, says the economic climate has created demand for kitchen upgrades. “People are staying put and giving that gift to their homes,” Deen says. “The way things are (it seems) the only (homes) selling are the ones that have been updated.” Realtors have been saying it for years: Kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms that sell a home. So it makes sense to renovate or update here first. But resale value isn’t the only thing to weigh when considering a kitchen makeover. An updated kitchen can make life easier. “It’s more functional, more fun,” Deen says. Many customers update in stages, he says. Homeowners will change counters first, most often for granite. Then they’ll tackle backsplashes or cabinets. For those who might not have an entire kitchen overhaul in mind, Deen says to consider smaller updates. For instance, homeowners might install new energy-efficient appliances that actually can save money with time, or they might focus on what Deen calls the “jewelry” of the kitchen: hardware, sink basin and faucet, backsplash and lighting. Deen says clients can update all of this for as little as $1,000. The work, he adds, would only take a few days to complete. Even just swapping out hardware for more high-end or custom-look versions instantly can update a kitchen. “You wouldn’t believe the transformation,” he says. HOLIDAY 2009
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