Independent Woman Homeowner

Women Love Updated or New Kitchens

Since 90% of the home-buying decisions are made by women, doesn't it make sense to update or remodel that room which is most important to those consumers? Even if you are not planning to sell your home any time soon, having a more enjoyable kitchen while making an investment in the area of the home with the greatest return your investment makes financial and emotional sense.

When working on a plan for your new kitchen: consider possibilities for limited investment: for example: if you like your kitchen layout, maybe you keep your current cabinets and have them refaced, add an island and spend money on the granite slab. There is no need to gut a kitchen in order to update it. Also consider how long you plan to stay in your home, and whether or not the current layout will sustain you over time. When we remodeled our kitchen, we were wisely advised by our kitchen designer in Danville, California, Glenda Heidrich, to be sure to use a triangle for the three distinct areas of the kitchen: cleaning (dishwasher, sink, etc), Refrigerator, and cooking/food prep (counterspace, stove, oven). See Glenda's other Kitchen Remodel Hints. These important tips, allowed us to design and invest in a plan, so the kids can reach the firg while not getting in my cooking or cleaning way. You also do not want to be cleaning right next to the stove. Sinks with a window allow for kid watching outside while dishwashing, and they make the chore more enjoyable than facing a wall. This kitchen has provided us a wonderful gathering place for friends and family while we cook and entertain.

The current economy offers a great opportunity for remodeling your kitchen. Even the best contractors have slowed down and they will offer the same services at a much lower cost than a couple of years ago. By shopping online like my savvy friend Suzette does for her every remodel, offers access to some amazing deals. Statistics show that your return on your investment is anywhere from 78%-83% depending on the scope of your remodel or updating.Below are the expected returns on your investment depending on the project and the money invested.

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