Getting the Best Price in a Tough Housing Market
A remodeled kitchen in Texas beats the asking price
Gennie was already wrestling with the raw emotions of preparing her mother for the move from an independent lifestyle to assisted living. What she didn't think she could handle was not being able to sell her mother's Austin, Texas home, which to put it mildly, needed a great deal of work.
A realtor suggested a re-do of the kitchen in the 1950's style bungalow could boost the asking price and greatly improve the chances for a quick sale. Gennie took the challenge. She and her mother gutted the oak cabinets with the dated and hard-to-use hardware. They replaced the old white oven range with a sleek black one, and added a microwave and dishwasher.
Then came some subtle changes. They replaced the window above the sink with a larger one to open up the space. And they added a gooseneck sink faucet for a contemporary feel. They also added a white tile backsplash, which really complemented the black appliances.
Both Gennie and her mother agree the greatest impact came from the new countertop. They chose a Wilsonart® HD® High Definition® Laminate in Deepstar Jade, with a bull nose (rounded) edge. Gennie says HD's unique combination of both matte and gloss finish, and the added surface texture create the look of granite, without the cost. The surface also nicely reflects the new recessed lighting, creating a warm, high-end look.
Gennie and her mother realized they accomplished their goal when the neighbors weighed in. "One of the neighbors commented, 'I didn't know you were going to use granite!' I knew we definitely got that granite look we were after, but at a laminate price," revealed Gennie's mother.
And the real evidence came soon after, when the home sold for more than the asking price in less than a month's time. Because of the kitchen re-do and some work in the powder and mud rooms (also using Wilsonart HD laminate), Gennie and her mother were able to price the home at $259,000 - more than twice the as-is price of $125,000.