Last Updated on August 6, 2024
Buying a home can be overwhelming, and often times buyers can get caught up in the emotional aspect of the process–spending a lot of time worrying about how the home makes them feel.
While we think the right home should speak to the buyer on an emotional level, it’s also smart to think about things from a practical perspective, so that you don’t end up with a big case of buyer’s remorse.
To that end, because kitchens tend to be spaces homeowners spend a good bit of our time in, buyers need that space to be functional for their needs and preferences. If you’re in the market for a home, here are four items we think you simply shouldn’t overlook in a kitchen.
Illogical layout
The kitchen is the most expensive room in the home to renovate; in fact, the latest Cost vs. Value report shows that homeowners can expect to spend $155,000 on a major kitchen remodel. If you’re not planning a major kitchen overhaul, a kitchen layout that is already functional for how you would use the space is very important.
Think of the work triangle in the kitchen as it relates to how you tend to operate while you’re cooking or entertaining. Typically, you want your sink, stove and fridge to be in close proximity to each other. Another item to think about is workable countertop space. Unless you plan on a major renovation, purchasing a home with a kitchen that doesn’t have adequate countertop space for your needs is going to leave you with buyer’s remorse.
Lack of entertaining space
If you like to entertain a lot, make sure the home you’re considering has enough space and the correct flow to be able to easily host a crowd. When it comes to renovations, adding on square footage or changing the configuration of a room tends to get pretty pricey.
Not enough storage
Ample storage is highly coveted; especially in a kitchen. Adding additional storage is certainly not impossible if the home’s footprint will allow it, but it will cost a good bit. Cabinets are the highest ticket items in the kitchen, which is why having enough storage initially is preferred.
Appliances that are too small
For those of us that cook most of the time, appliances that are too small to be functional should be deal breakers. A kitchen with a four-burner stove may be too inadequate for someone that cooks for a large family most nights. Likewise, a counter-depth fridge might be too limiting for a larger family.
Want more kitchen content? Find out which type of kitchen renovation yields the highest return when it comes time to sell.
