Sellers, Your Kitchen IS the Heart of Your Home!

An appealing, workable kitchen is near the top of most buyers' list of priorities when house-hunting.  It is the room that gets the most scrutiny, and can make or break a sale.  So what can you do if you don't have the open kitchen, the stainless appliances or the granite countertops?  These 10 tips should get you started.

1. Avoid clutter!  Clean the counters of small appliances and other things to maximize the appearance of limited workspace.
2. Check the area around your sink, and put away soaps, cleansers, etc.
3. Sinks, appliances and counters should be sparkling clean.  (Yes, clean the oven!)
4. Clean off the top of the refrigerator.  Put items that need to be stored there in baskets or bowls to neaten up.
5. Stage the kitchen with an open cookbook, or a colorful fruit basket.
6. Create aromas that remind the buyers of a kitchen: cookies baking, bread baking or fruit pies baking.
7. During the hot summer, display a bowl of lemons or limes for their pleasant aroma.
8. Clean and organize all the kitchen storage areas so the areas appear larger.
9. Look critically at your kitchen window treatments and clean or update.
10. Set the table with bright placemats and a nice centerpiece.