Sometimes, Davie homeowners who plan to sell a home in the next 90 days think about what they need to do to make it more appealing to buyers. Cabinets might not be at the top of your list.
Why Cabinets Can Move the Needle
However, cabinets can be among the best investments you can make when you’re getting your home ready for sale. Fortunately, you don’t necessarily need a full renovation, and Forbes is the least fluffy write-up I’ve seen at forbes.com/home-improvement/contractor/home-renovation-costs. Targeted updates can be effective, especially in areas where cabinets are an obvious weak spot.
Many prospective buyers form their first impressions from photos. When they scan images of your home, they’ll immediately notice cabinets with gaps, clutter, mismatched doors and drawers, and makeshift storage solutions. If your kitchen has dated cabinetry, consider updating them before listing the home.
Here are some examples of photo-ready cabinet upgrades that can make an impression:
- Convert a builder-grade pantry with basic shelving to a set of fitted cabinets. Buyers understand the appeal of a well-organized kitchen. A pantry with open shelves may make buyers envision a cluttered space. Cabinetry can make a dated pantry into a photo-worthy feature.
- Close gaps above cabinets. Cabinets that stop short of the ceiling look dated and leave an opportunity for dust and debris to settle. Full-height cabinets create a more upscale look.
- Maximize kitchen island storage. A functional and visually appealing island can enhance your kitchen’s curb appeal. Built-in cabinetry and drawers can fill an otherwise wasted opportunity for storage.
- Refresh builder-grade cabinetry. If your counters were updated but the cabinetry was left behind, consider installing new fronts or refinishing the entire set to make sure they’re in harmony.
- Update a built-in desk area. Built-in desks were a popular feature in many homes from previous eras. If yours looks like it has fallen out of fashion, consider replacing the cabinetry with a functional and appealing design.
What Buyers Check in Person
Photos are important, but prospective buyers won’t schedule a showing unless they’re interested. Once they walk through your home, they’ll interact with the space. For example, they’ll open doors and drawers. If you’re hoping to wow them, consider:
- Upgrading under-sink cabinetry. Prospective buyers will almost certainly open your under-sink doors during a home showing. Make sure what’s revealed impresses them with organization and functionality. If necessary, consider replacing dated or poorly organized under-sink cabinetry.
- Adding storage solutions to the pantry. Buyers won’t walk into a pantry without pulling out a few items to see if there’s plenty of room. If your pantry is outdated, poorly organized, or simply too small, consider replacing it.
- Expanding bathroom vanities. Shallow bathroom vanities without storage are a red flag to some buyers. Adding drawers, linen storage, and other storage solutions to your bathroom can impress buyers. Divided storage can help them imagine storing towels and toiletries.
- Improving the laundry room. Buyers are very practical. They’ll envision storing detergent, fabric softener, a laundry basket, a step-stool, and other items. They may comment on how they’ll struggle to find a functional setup. Installing cabinets, drawers, and other storage can ease their concerns.
- Installing mudroom cabinetry. Buyers will envision storing coats, shoes, keys, mail, backpacks, and other items in your mudroom or garage entryway. Built-in storage can make a positive impression by keeping these items off the floor and out of sight.
Fit Matters More Than Fancy Features
Custom cabinetry doesn’t need to be over-the-top or overly personalized. Instead, buyers will appreciate cabinets that solve obvious problems. For example, you might consider:
- Wine storage. Unless you know the buyer’s lifestyle, avoid going overboard with wine storage. Most will appreciate having a few bottles in the kitchen. However, an entire wine list might not fit into their lifestyle.
- Pantry pullouts for appliances. Built-in ovens and microwaves can be convenient, but many buyers won’t want to dedicate an entire pullout cabinet to a single appliance. Make sure you have ample pantry storage first. Then, if space allows, add a pullout cabinet for appliances.
- Appliance garages. Like wine lists and appliance-only pullouts, appliance garages can be an overly personalized feature for some buyers. Consider how well they’d fit your buyers’ lifestyles before making the investment.
When you’re deciding which areas need new custom cabinets, always ask yourself whether they’ll be practical and easy to use for potential buyers. Features that improve functionality without limiting how the space can be used can play an important role in how custom cabinets affect resale value in Davie Make sure cabinets don’t block doors, take up too much room in narrow hallways, interfere with opening other cabinet doors or drawers, or make it difficult to pull out appliance handles. Your professional should account for these details before installation, helping ensure your custom cabinetry adds practical value that appeals to future buyers.
The Objections Better Cabinets Can Prevent
- “Where would we put everything?”
- “There is nowhere to store pantry items.”
- “The bathrooms have almost no usable storage.”
- “This laundry room will be difficult to organize.”
- “The garage entry will always look messy.”
- “The kitchen feels dated even though the counters are newer.”
Match the Upgrade to the Market
Before you invest in cabinets, consider the price bracket for homes in your neighborhood. Some buyers will be surprised if they tour a few houses in your neighborhood with varying ages and levels of updates. For example, buyers who are surprised by high-end finishes in an otherwise modest house may assume the seller will make aggressive asks during negotiation. Make sure your cabinets will complement the rest of your finishes.
Before the Listing Goes Live
In some cases, replacing your existing cabinets entirely is the most effective option for boosting curb appeal. Other times, solidly-built cabinets with properly aligned drawers and doors can get away with refinishing. If only a few drawers and doors are worn-out or don’t work properly, partial replacements may be your best option.
