Kitchen features that add value to your home

Photo: Future

Several of our real estate professionals point out that the pandemic has changed what buyers now expect from kitchens.

The big appeal is for the kitchen and cook to be part of the action when entertaining and, on a day to day basis, for the whole family to be together – in this time-pressed age, it’s a real boon to be able to offer help with homework while preparing the evening meal; and to be able to keep on eye on children while managing other tasks.

Photo: Chris Snook

High-end appliances are always in high demand by buyers, and, if anything, the Covid era of using the kitchen daily has made them want bigger and better appliances and fixtures – and, preferably, double the number.

The trick to making the kitchen appear even more valuable is installing 'farm sinks, two dishwashers, electric and gas ranges for those who cook and bake, side by side refrigerators, and high-end microwaves that are out of the way.'

Photo: Future / Nicholas Yarsley

Luxury kitchen countertop ideas are an old favorite for buyers of high-end homes, but are becoming much more mainstream lately.

Elizabeth Boese, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty out of Boulder, Colorado, also recommends quartz: 'Quartz countertops are all the rage right now, beating out granite and other solid surfaces.'

Photo: Future / Davide Lovatti

The big appeal of going open-plan is for the kitchen and cook to be part of the action when entertaining and, on a day to day basis, for the whole family to be together – in this time-pressed age, it’s a real boon to be able to offer help with homework while preparing the evening meal.

Photo: Franke

There is simply no way high-end appliances will scare away buyers, and Betsy stresses the importance of not going cheap in this area: 'The higher the home price point, the higher level the appliances should be.

The one piece of advice I stress to all sellers: spend as much as you can afford when designing a kitchen. Kitchens sell homes!'