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Avoiding Hell's Kitchen

June 23, 2011 -- Realty Times Feature Article by Broderick Perkins

Consumer Reports recently combined its rigorous product testing routine with advice from real estate agents to determine what makes kitchens hot -- other than the oven.

CR July edition's "Your New Kitchen" special report engaged real estate agents in order to pinpoint features that help sell kitchens and, by association, the home.

The report, which includes ratings of 400 appliances, kitchen materials and a look inside stores that sell them, is worth the nominal price of a subscription you'll need to read the full article in print or online.

And you can use agents' advice to help guide you in your kitchen improvements. Here's a peek.
Functionality is a must.

In today's hurry up world, households often need to get into the kitchen, get out and get on with their lives. The kitchen also doubles as the home's primary entertainment and gathering space.

In line with research from architects and home builders, agents say kitchens integrated with family living space is the best of two worlds in one.

Such a "great room" with an open floor plan is both inviting and functional with plenty of space for preparing meals, entertaining, watching Blu-ray movies and using and charging electronic devices from cell phones and computers to iPads and Zune MP3 players.

Space permitting, and appropriate to the scale of the room, kitchen islands are big sellers, but under-cabinet and wall-chimney hoods are better than downdraft island systems, CR said the agents advised.

Appliances should reflect the same form and function as the kitchen. Stainless steel or black appliances may not be a good fit for a restored Victorian or Cape Cod, but French-door fridges with external ice and water dispensers and ultra-quiet dishwashers are big.

Saving energy is paramount.

Appliances should be Energy Star rated to help keep utility bills down. Also, buyers want to know if the owner has made other energy-saving improvements, including adding insulation and plugging leaks.

Natural lighting with ample windows, including an exit to a patio or backyard is important, but not just for letting the sun shine in and making the outside connection. Insulated, heat-reflecting windows and doors help keep heated air in and cold air out when it's freezing outside and cool air in and hot air out when it's simmering outside.

Using sustainable products likewise helps save energy in the long run, but be sure the material isgreenest. CR says some bamboo floors outperform wood, but bamboo countertops "aren't ready for prime time." Likewise, reclaimed timbers was among the worst materials for floors.

Practicality sells.

For countertops, granite and quartz are easy to clean and, as such, tops, but you'll have to reseal granite from time to time. Laminate resists impact better than stone, but you can save by getting granite or quartz remnants at stone yards, salvage or reuse stores, CR reports.

Also, because countertops are a focal point in the kitchen, they leave a lasting impression about the rest of the home. Don't sell your home with outdated, marred or damaged countertops.

Agent say, when it comes to upgrading the kitchen the bottom line is don't over do it, but also don't do it on the cheap.

For example, opulent faucets can cost you a mint and look great, but the cost has little to do with performance, CR reports and you aren't likely to recoup their cost when you sell, agents added.

In another example, an agent said, a laminate counter and linoleum floor can save you money, but the combo could be a deal killer if the kitchen is in an upscale home.

Avoid 10 Biggest Mistakes of Home Sellers

Wanting to put your home on the market? Watch this video to avoid the 10 biggest mistakes that home sellers make.

Be the Best on Your Block

The 7 essentials to boost curb appeal (and bragging rights)

*Taken from “This Old House: Your New Home, Spring 11’ Pg. 7

1 Highlight with Paint:

Set off architectural details and textures by painting them in separate colors. Moving away from a monotone palette brings definition, and choosing historically appropriate colors enhances character.

2 Spruce up the Siding:

See that clapboards, shingles, or masonry sheathing are in top condition. They add color, texture, and polish to your home’s exterior.

3 Perk up Windows:

Trim windows in a contrasting color to the siding, or add window boxes or shutters to highlight them. Breaking up the façade in this way creates interest.

4 Liven up the Landscaping:

Plant layers of greenery and bright blooms-along the walk, in hanging pots, and in window boxes. Nothing offers such a cheery “hello” from the sidewalk.

5 Roll out the Red Carpet:

Create a welcoming walk to your front door with brick or stone pavers flanked by plantings, and the stroll to your entrance becomes an event.

6 Play up the Porch:

Replace metal poles with period appropriate columns or posts, repaint railings, and lay wood over a concrete slab to warm up a porch or portico. Don’t have one? Start collecting ideas and add on when the budget allows.

7 Tend to the Roof:

Keep tabs on the state of your wood shakes, asphalt shingles, or tiles to make sure they’re in good repair. Not only does the roof protect all the other architectural details, it’s very visible.

Floor the Competition!

Buyers entering your home usually look down before up. That first step is vital for making a great first impression. It’s one reason why more people are installing hardwood floors in their home. Hardwood flooring enhances the look of any room and can create a classic ambiance that will beautify the interior design of your home.

Residential real estate agents agree that homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster and fetch higher prices. Last year, 99% of real estate agents responding to a national survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association agreed that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell. Also, 82% believe they sell faster and 90% sell for more money.

The American Hardwood Information Center adds that restoring hardwood flooring in the home is one of the best long-term investments one can make. “Hardwood floors are environmentally friendly, forever fashionable, and will last for generations,” said Pembroke Jacobs, president of the Hardwood Manufacturers Association. “Plus, with an expected life span of up to 100 years for certain premium hardwood flooring, you can be assured that the hardwood really is a one-time investment with a very long-term payoff.” Real estate agents agree that carpeting does not impress potential buyers, but hardwood floors are always a draw.

Engineered wood floors impart warmth, depth and richness that can’t be matched by carpeting, tile or vinyl flooring. Despite the existence of modern architectural trends in flooring, hardwood still competes with tile and other materials. It comes in a variety of colors and grains; light, medium, or dark shades; and a variety of sizes, styles, finishes and species. Maple, mahogany and oak are the most popular woods, but some homeowners are investing in exotics such as Brazilian cherry and purpleheart.

The EPA claims that indoor air quality is one of the top health threats.Wood floors can help contribute to a healthy living environment. In fact, a recent EPA study found that pesticides used in gardens and homes accumulate on floors and other surfaces in the home. But wood floors greatly reduce the accumulation of such toxins. Hardwood floors also do not trap or harbor dust mites or molds like carpet. Though wood floors will probably need to be refinished at some point, they properly taken care of they are much easier to maintain than other floor surfaces.

The NWFA recommends regula

r sweeping of hardwood floors with a soft-bristle broom or dust mop to remove surface dirt and debris. If your floor contains beveled edges, it recommends using a vacuum with a soft bristle brush attachment to remove dirt and debris from between the floor boards. Hardwood floors could make the difference between a sale or watching a potential buyer walk out the door.

Green Living: August 3, 2011

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