New kitchen or not? Advise needed

FBaby

no right or wrong. If you put a new one in, you are taking the risk of having a potential buyer who is put off the house because they don't like it, but will feel that they can't replace it as it's new.

If you leave it as is and reduce the price accordingly, you might very much find that potential buyers don't see it that way and might still expect a further reduction.

Could you leave it as it is and see how it goes and if you are not selling at the price you want and feedback is the kitchen, then doing it then?

[Deleted User]

no, definitely not, don`t do it. I am a cash buyer and have been completely put off even looking at some houses that have had completely unsuitable kitchens put in, obviously to sell the house. They have completely the opposite effect on me, I want my own kitchen and will design my own

Davesnave

Does the house offer so few advantages that the kitchen's a deal breaker?

Houses sell on location, aspect, plot size, number of bedrooms, space and a few other things that are hard to change + their price.

Anyone can change a kitchen and no one will want to pay extra for someone else's choice.

Murphybear

The kitchen is a really good size and that should attract buyers. It doesn't matter what sort of kitchen you put in, it will be your taste, not necessarily prospective buyers.

Leave it as it is.

Pumpkim

I'm with your wife. As a buyer, a new kitchen would be a bonus but I wouldn't necessarily want to pay any more for the house because of it. I don't think youll get your money back on it.

moneyistooshorttomention

Mojisola wrote: »

This ^

I wouldn't buy a house with a brand-new kitchen if it wasn't to my taste because I'd feel awful about stripping out new cupboards and appliances while I wouldn't mind doing this for an old, tired kitchen.

Is your buyer going to want a gas or electric hob? A single or double oven? Traditional cupboards or all deep drawers? Tiles or glass splash backs? Etc, etc.....

That's very much what I was thinking.

It depends a little on whether the house is a "starter house" or a "further up the ladder" house. But on my last house (even though it was a "starter" house - ie 2 bedroom terrace) the EA told me not to bother to replace the kitchen and just price the house accordingly.

When it comes to a "further up the ladder" house then Mojisola has a valid point - and yes...some people want gas hobs, some want electric induction, some want electric ceramic. I look ruefully at any new kitchens with single ovens in - as I want a double oven. I could live with (decent quality) painted units - but I couldnt live with "shiny" ones and so on and so on.

My own kitchen is new this year and I can see that some would want to change my electric ceramic hob. Others would think "Where's the space for a dishwasher?". Most would be okay with my taste - but there are people that really wouldnt want what I've been told is obviously "Southern England city person".

So - leave the kitchen.

seven-day-weekend

We bought our bungalow because it was in the right place and the right price, and it was a bungalow.

The kitchen was awful (no cupboards etc) and needed doing straight away. We didn't like the bathroom but it was serviceable and we lived with it for eighteen months.

We did offer less than the asking price because there was so much other work needed doing.

Another one to say, leave your kitchen as it is.

Kynthia

As others have said, I wouldn't pay for a new kitchen I didn't love than an old kitchen that needed replacing. Unless your house isn't going to sell without it I would just maximise what you have. If it's really bad then paint or replace the doors.

Finish off those diy jobs and repairs, declutter and de-personalise to an extent, make sure you let the light in, don't forget your garden, and make any old fashioned or worn rooms feel newer and brighter with a lick of paint and some bright, coordinated accessories.

getmore4less

isplumm wrote: »

My view is that with the modern age, we need to update the kitchen, as people will look online, just see a tired kitchen and move on. My wife thinks that people will still visit & try & knock us down in price.

Thoughts?

Thanks Mark

you both agree it is all about the price so knock the £20k off and price to sell.

There is a difference between tired and neglected, make sure it looks well maintained* and spotless so people know they can move in and live with it for a while


Things like every door is still aligned properly, sealant is in good condition, all appliances working no dripping taps, lights all work....

exiled_red

I agree with the people tempted to leave it, when looking at houses we were more put off by the houses that had new kitchens that we didn't like than the ones that needed replacing. We felt that we were paying the additional expense of a new kitchen that wasn't giving us what we wanted.

The house that we eventually bought was built in the early 1960's and still had the original kitchen which obviously needed replacing when we moved in, but now we have the kitchen that we wanted.

Either way you are likely to put someone off, whatever you do you need to ensure that the house is accurately priced (it is reasonable to assume a house with the kitchen in need of replacement will be on the market for less than if the kitchen was replace).