Kitchen Karma

By Ray Wood

I call it a ‘real estate rescue'.  This is where the seller has tried to sell a property with little success.  The call usually goes something like "Hi Ray, I'm hoping you can help us.  We have been trying to sell our house for the past 4 months with no luck.  We were hoping you might be able to tell us what we need to do to get attract more buyers and make a sale".

I really feel for any seller who has firstly, been unable to sell their property but secondly and perhaps this is more painful, they have been on the market for so long.  These poor sellers are frustrated and unsure of what to do.

There are really only two things the seller can do.  The first is to drop their price.  The second is to increase the value and therefore the appeal of their property, and that's where I come in.

When I look at a home and study our improvement options, I like to start with the kitchen.  A great kitchen can overcome many other negatives in a home.  When you think about it, we spend so much time in our kitchens.  A kitchen is the engine room of the home.  It's the room or area where family and visitors naturally gravitate to.  There is something warm and wonderful about a nice kitchen so my real estate rescue starts with the kitchen.

I love cooking.  To create a wonderful meal for friends and family is a true personal pleasure.  The amazing smells always delight and sitting down with a wine and enjoying good company and good food just has to be one of the best things life has to offer.

These are the kind of thoughts and emotions a good kitchen will evoke.  Call it Kitchen Karma if you want.  It's that special quality or emotional trigger where a buyer will suddenly think to themselves; "you know what?  This kitchen works just fine for me."  They see themselves in the picture.  They see themselves cooking up a storm for friends.  They get a feel for the way it works and how they will work in it.