Home And Garden Articles

Looking to Boost Your Home's Resale Value? RealEstate.com Suggests a Kitchen Remodel

Charlotte, N.C. (PRWEB) July 18, 2007 -- Are you looking to increase the value of your home? There is no home improvement more dramatic and noticeable than a kitchen renovation (http://www.realestate.com/tipsandtools/Remodeling--Renovation/Remodel-Your-Home-for--Wow.aspx?&esourceid=707580?&esouceid=707580). It not only improves the look of a high traffic room in your home but it can also increase the resale value. Here are the main categories to consider:

Cabinetry & Storage

While cabinetry is probably the biggest investment you'll make in your kitchen remodel, it is the one that pays the most dividends as well.

Cabinetry not only sets the tone for the mood of your kitchen, it determines how well organized your workspace will be as well. The best kitchens include closed storage (meaning no glass doors or open shelving) that provide a clean, uncluttered look, paired with streamlined chrome or brushed-nickel fixtures.

Countertops

Granite (http://www.realestate.com/tipsandtools/Finding-the-Right-Home/Kitchen-designs-that-work.aspx?&esourceid=707580&esourceid=707580) has emerged as the most prestigious countertop material because of its strength, attractive look, and individuality (no two slabs are alike because it's natural stone.) Marble is another popular natural stone, although slightly less hardy than granite.

"Today's kitchens aren't the isolated workspaces they used to be," said Holly Slaughter, editor-in-chief of the RealEstate.com Tips and Tools. "They're social centers where families spend time together, and where guests sit and socialize. In fact, if you think about it, it's the one room each day that family members are guaranteed to spend at least some time in."

Appliances

Whether you're redesigning from scratch or simply replacing outdated or mismatched appliances, a new fridge, stove and dishwasher will quickly update your kitchen.

Today's trend is towards professional-style, high-end, stainless-steel appliances (http://www.realestate.com/tipsandtools/Finding-the-Right-Home/Kitchen-designs-that-work.aspx?&esourceid=707580&esourceid=707580), inspired by the popularity of television cooking shows. Today's energy-efficient appliances make it a better time than ever to upgrade from older models; your investment will likely be recouped by your energy savings and added home value.

While stainless steel finishes are hot and can be suited to both modern and traditional interiors, white remains the most popular finish. It costs less and can be just as versatile as stainless. Both finishes reflect light and contribute an expansive feel to a room.

Flooring

Tired of worn-out vinyl? Consider splurging on eco-friendly bamboo, or hardwood or faux-hardwood laminate (http://www.realestate.com/tipsandtools/Upgrades--Resale-Value/Features-that-add-value-to-a-home.aspx?&esourceid=707580&esourceid=707580). After years of lighter-tone wood, deep mahogany finishes are coming back, and look especially elegant when paired with white cabinetry.

For high-traffic areas, consider floor tiles in oversize ceramic, slate and limestone. Vinyl flooring is a lower-priced alternative that comes in a wide range of styles and colors. Sheet vinyl is preferable to peel-and-stick tiles as the latter can become raised over time.

Lighting

A well-lit kitchen includes three types of lighting: ambient, task and accent lighting. Ambient lighting casts a general illumination around the room, task lighting illuminates chores such as cooking, and accent lighting creates an attractive focal point.

For more ideas on how to renovate your kitchen to improve its resale value, visit www.RealEstate.com.

About RealEstate.com

RealEstate.com helps give consumers an advantage during their home buying or selling journey, from the early stages of dreaming through the final stages of moving. The site uses a proprietary, turbo-charged home listings "engine" with access to more than two million listings in order to bring clarity to the chaos. In addition, a robust "Tips and Tools" section provides helpful advice, checklists and guides, all in an effort to help users navigate the process. Together, this comprehensive set of tools, content, listings and services have come together to help consumers "Get the knowledge. Get the edge.?"

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, RealEstate.com is an operating company of IAC. RealEstate.com also owns or operates iNest, Domania and RealEstate.com, REALTORS®.

REALTOR® -- A registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

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