Anonymous
Post 02/25/2013 12:57     Subject: What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Anonymous wrote:HGTV or Kitchen/Bath magazine is just total crap, in my opinion.

What kind of kitchen do people really want, you think? I think people are spending less time preparing a meal, am I wrong? How often do real people entertain, 3-4 times a year. We have an open concept kitchen (4 years old), stainless steel Kitchen Aid appliances, no gourmet island, no undercabinet lighting, and basic marble. Our cabinetry is from IKEA. It is good for us. We only entertain small groups of people a few times a year. We certainly do not use the kitchen counter to work, mingle, etc.

How many people really drop $80k on a kitchen reno, I wonder? Is it really just to show off?!?

I just really do not get the hype of huge, expensive kitchens.



I definitely care more about layout than the quality of the finishings. We currently have an IKEA kitchen in our apartment. The cabinetry is all drawers on the bottom, and one of the counters is double the normal width (so it is like an island, but really one side of the kitchen). That plus a pantry closet makes it an amazing kitchen for the space.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2013 12:51     Subject: Re:What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Well, as a former buyer, I can tell you I don't want the seller slapping granite on top of their old, builder spec cabinets and telling me it is now a gourmet kitchen. If anything, that turns me off. I hate the thought of knowing the kitchen needs work, but they just put all of this money into granite counter tops thinking it was going to solve the problem.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2013 12:46     Subject: What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
I like my kitchens light and airy:

<img>
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTFxHIAk37Q/TY9XBFcMD8I/AAAAAAAAAPg/pwBXLaOV-Yk/s1600/kitchen-cabinets-traditional-white-123-cp022a-victorian-island-seats-subway-tile-backsplash.jpg </img>
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2013 12:37     Subject: Re:What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is a good amount without going overboard on custom everything and crazy appliance brands



That white electrical outlet on the side of the island would drive me crazy!



This whole kitchen would drive me crazy, it looks so cheap and dated it would be a liability if I were looking at the house to buy, the tacky tiles, the shiny finishes, the busy looking overhead cupboards, they would all have to be ripped out.



Rather than being a whiney annoying bitch , why don't you provide a picture of your kitchen or dream kitchen.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2013 12:34     Subject: What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is a good amount without going overboard on custom everything and crazy appliance brands



That white electrical outlet on the side of the island would drive me crazy!



This whole kitchen would drive me crazy, it looks so cheap and dated it would be a liability if I were looking at the house to buy, the tacky tiles, the shiny finishes, the busy looking overhead cupboards, they would all have to be ripped out. ]

Rather than being a whiney annoying bitch , why don't you provide a picture of your kitchen or dream kitchen.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2013 11:24     Subject: Re:What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is a good amount without going overboard on custom everything and crazy appliance brands



That white electrical outlet on the side of the island would drive me crazy!



This whole kitchen would drive me crazy, it looks so cheap and dated it would be a liability if I were looking at the house to buy, the tacky tiles, the shiny finishes, the busy looking overhead cupboards, they would all have to be ripped out.


Why do people have to be so snarky on here? It's not a 100k kitchen...because it's not a 100k kitchen - not all of us can afford that much and not everyone who pays that much can actually afford it either. People all have different tastes - I think this looks great and is easy to personalize with a smaller budget (change the backsplash or the doors on those 'busy looking overhead cupboards'). I've been looking at houses and would be thrilled if this were the worst kitchen I saw!

For me - as long as it's well planned out and functional I'm happy - and I cook A LOT! What I really dislike is a poorly done renovation - you can do Ikea and do it well or crappily and you can have a professional do it and do it well or need a new reno right away - I'd just assume never have had the reno done if it was poorly done. If you're going to do it, make sure the job is quality and well planned.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2013 10:32     Subject: Re:What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is a good amount without going overboard on custom everything and crazy appliance brands



That white electrical outlet on the side of the island would drive me crazy!



This whole kitchen would drive me crazy, it looks so cheap and dated it would be a liability if I were looking at the house to buy, the tacky tiles, the shiny finishes, the busy looking overhead cupboards, they would all have to be ripped out.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2013 12:51     Subject: What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
It really depends on why you are investing in the kitchen. If you are renovating in order to update/meet the market, then the kitchen should be appropriate for that. And in such instances, your rule of thumb should be that the reno should feel like an upgrade from what you think the average buyer currently has. So, for example, if you have a 2/1, then you want a kitchen that will feel like an upgrade for a first-time buyer who is likely renting. If you have a 2/3, you want something that would feel like an upgrade for a family who are likely already homeowners.

OTOH, some of us really like to cook. We're going to reno a galley kitchen in a 2/1 with appliances and materials that are above our market. But that's because I love to cook and we do a lot of entertaining. We don't expect to get the investment back but we do expect to get years of use out of it.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2013 12:24     Subject: What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
What if you didn't get a wall oven? The kitchen is massive and the house is almost 6000 sqrft. I do see the appeal of a continual flow of more countertop and cabinets.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2013 11:54     Subject: Re:What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Agree. You do not need to please everyone with a for sale kitchen -- just those who can afford it. Some people love a country kitchen but if that is not what a buyer wants, then they will pull away from the house.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2013 11:22     Subject: What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Anonymous wrote:Is it just me, or does the kitchen in that picture seem really impractically large? I feel like I'd need to be on roller skates to do any really cooking or baking.

I agree with this and I think the sink vs. range location is impractical. Things go from the fridge to the sink (to wash) and then on a counter space (to prep) and then on the cooktop. The way this kitchen is organized, you'd have to take your stuff over the cooktop to the sink first.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2013 10:47     Subject: What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My parents have a kitchen that size. They adore it and do not need roller skates.


You seem kind of literal, hon.


Anonymous
Post 02/24/2013 10:41     Subject: Re:What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
I think this is a perfect kitchen for resale. It is not quite my taste (too dark) but it is important to target the taste of the people who can afford your home. It does not have to appeal to everyone -- just those who can afford it.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2013 10:35     Subject: What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
Anonymous wrote:My parents have a kitchen that size. They adore it and do not need roller skates.


You seem kind of literal, hon.
Anonymous
Post 02/24/2013 10:22     Subject: What kind of kitchen does a real buyer want?
My parents have a kitchen that size. They adore it and do not need roller skates.