You’ll have heard that kitchens are among the big deciding factors when buying a home, and since you love your kitchen so much, you’ll agree. Here’s what to do to evaluate kitchens when looking at homes for sale. It is a definite advantage if you can find a home that allows you to move in and out without requiring extensive and expensive renovations.
In the meantime, are you looking for a new home in Texas? If so, here is a site about homes for sale in Austin TX that might be useful.
Start with a few questions
If it is possible to find out when a kitchen was installed, this already gives you some indication as to whether it is reaching replacement time. Most owners, for example, would replace or renovate a kitchen every ten years. You can also ask about the materials used in the kitchen. Particle board is the lowest quality and has the shortest lifespan while solid wood is one of the most durable and expensive options.
First impressions
First impressions count, so take note of how you feel when you see a kitchen for the first time. Love the layout? Will the colors suit you? Is there enough space for the things you like to do? If there’s something that bothers you at first glance, it probably will over time, and with kitchen renovations not exactly cheap, choosing a home with a kitchen you already like is a benefit.
Look for signs of wear
You can be sure that the owner of a house for sale will have things spruced up a little in anticipation of the showing. The replacement of worn countertops is a quick solution for many homeowners who are about to sell a home business. But what about the cabinets? Take a look inside, check the backs of cabinets for signs of moisture damage, especially near the sink. Use your nose. A musty smell is a bad sign. While you’re at it, assess the quality of the kitchen units and check how smoothly the cabinet doors and drawers open and close. Examine the floor as well. Cracked tiles, grout that needs refreshing, or floors that look uneven can indicate that the entire kitchen may be in need of work.
Where are the appliances and outlets located?
You’ll be cooking up a storm in your kitchen, so making sure the layout is sensible is a good indication of how comfortable you’ll be. Even if you are open to a new kitchen installation, it will cost less if the plumbing and electrical supply are already located in convenient places. And, no matter how good a kitchen looks, it has to be practical. Lack of a worktop near the stove, for example, can be immensely inconvenient when you are working with hot particulars. Check where all the appliances are currently located and decide if working with that layout is right for you.
Check faucets and switches
Check the light switches and open faucets to see if the basic services in the kitchen seem to be working properly. It’s just a little test to see if things work as they should. If you are serious about buying a home, you can, and probably should, hire professional home inspectors to ensure that the essential infrastructure is properly maintained.
Take notes and rate houses
While the kitchen is very important to you, it will be there other features looking for a home. Make a list of them and rate each property you see with reference to your criteria. Make a few notes after each viewing to help you with comparisons later. Of course, your impressions of the kitchen will be among the deciding factors!
