I just had my old oak kitchen cabinets painted white using kelly Moore dura-proxy paint. I added colorful red and white knobs from Pier one. The result was outstanding and was not expensive.

Hi, Cyndi--

Just throwing out a couple of ideas on the design side (I've been there before!):

- Agree that an accent wall would be difficult here. And that's a trend that's peaked, so good on you for foregoing it here; highlighting the wall you like with a single key art piece could be a better option for today

- Wondering if it's an option to further declutter a bit and remove the credenza between the window and sliding door here, leaving just the mirror there

- I'd also look at removing the hanging fan from above and simply putting a j-box cover on. Folks will know it's pre-wired for their option, but you won't have a fan hanging down over an area with nothing(?) going on

- Personally wouldn't paint the cabinets in this plan since they look like they're still in decent shape, rather I'd simply bring in a few well-edited plants to add a little life to the space (phaleonopsis orchids are a perennial favorite out here on the coast in staged homes) and a big, bushy plant can happily fill an empty corner

I'd hold off on any big investments here. Your property won't be transformed by any one update, but small touches can help it show its best to the right party who can pay what you're asking.

It's very clean and uncluttered, so good job on that, it's 9/10 of the battle.......but oh boy, you're right, that is bland! My eyes are dying for just some.....color. So much depends on your local market and also what attracts your specific target buyers. I don't see any issue with the kitchen cabs.....nobody looks to them to provide the major decorative appeal in a space like this. Instead, I would borrow, rent, or buy inexpensively (possible for your own reuse):

* A large, colorful print on unframed canvas for the dining area. Remove that dark thing from the wall, just put up e.g. a Georgia O'Keeffe print. Bigger the better....if you can line it up with the top of the kitchen cabs, and it has some hints of the cab color in it.....extra points! Looking for BOLD and POWERFUL here

* Another large artwork to replace the mirror over the credenza. Not a match the the dining area piece, but in an allied style. Again, big and bold and color. (No need for a mirror in this space.) Center credenza in space and stage with 1-2 tall lamps, and perhaps 1-3 large vases or ceramic objects

* Not to be a broken record, but again, new art over sofa. Delete the small piece that's there, and find either 1 very wide piece, or 2-3 you can use side by side

* Some fresh, colorful pillows from Target (they have stunning choices for low $$$) in pairs. The colors should support & relate to the art without slavishly mimicking. (Delete afghan....it's convenient for use but does not sell this condo)

* Probably need more lamps, and get BRIGHT high luminance bulbs

* Consider a BIG leafy plant for windowed corner

* Kitchen: get paper towels off the counter (I realize they're convenient, and they also call attention to the fact that there's no better place for them than here), add a gorgeous high-end bold staging object/vignette like a beautiful glass carafe in jewel tones with matching goblets and perhaps 2 designery gorgeous high-end hand woven linen napkins

* Shelving unit: Purge and tidy even more intensely, and stage heavily with good-looking books in half the cubbies and empty space or one (only) gorgeous compelling object in the others. Rather than use dull knickknacks or framed photos, empty space is preferred. Or use small photo frames for again, Georgia O'Keeffe etc.

And there you have it. Much, much easier than paint, and cheaper too. This will make the condo dramatic and compelling. Just pop my commission check in the mail as soon as you close! :-)

Price it right & it will sell regardless of the color of the cabinets, walls or anything else. How long has it been on the market? If longer than the average listing in the area it's overpriced ( no matter what anyone tells you ).

You are, unfortunately, at the tail end of "Snowbird Season". The prime time to list in the West Valley is late September when the Birds start arriving. (I assume the residence is in SC West or SC Grand.) Depressing as it is, I suggest pulling the listing and re-listing after Labor Day.

Before re-listing, you need the a good agent and have the place Pro staged. I "doodled around" in a similar situation two years ago and the agent makes ALL the difference. My agents (it's a duo) took care of everything (no charge for the service). I'll tell you all about it. You can contact me at standupbroad1@gmail.com.

It will "all work out"...really, it will.

Additional info for everyone. The Senior Community market in the West Valley is a very different animal from anywhere I have previously lived. The housing market is seasonal and the supply is HUGE. People die, go into "care", or move back North because they "miss the kids & grandkids". There's also a segment that bought "too big" because they though the kids would come visit every year (they don't), so they downsize. The vast majority of homes are, in truth, "cookie cutter" except for size. Most residents have brought their furniture with them and "it" just looks BAD in these semi-modern settings with high ceilings and tons of sunlight. Original buyers saw "model homes" with fabulous upgrades and custom landscaping...and "assumed" their home would look like the model without spending the money on those upgrades which amounted to about 30% in excess of the purchase price. Standard advice on "what to do" does not work in this particular market.

I'm not an agent and now live in another state.

I think you can take away more furniture, for instance, the big TV unit....sorry to say that would turn me off...thinking how can I get rid of it. Maybe use the credensa between the windows as a TV stand moved over for the staging....will make rooms look lighter and bigger. Art work would not be important to me if I was house hunting. Only suggestion would be a more modern table lamp. I would not paint anything as long as it is clean. Some live greenery would show prospective buyers house is light enough for houseplants...I am from the midwest also.

Quite honestly, as some have given- stage it, sell it. Don't put one more dime into a property being sold for this purpose.

Sorry for what you and your family have gone through, but you only-now-need to get out.

Find the best Realtor you can who can stage it, sell it. You have enough emotions welling up. Don't let them extend to property. You can make great money, with the best advice

Since I am very aware of the real estate market in the Valley (as I just moved back to the Midwest from there) this is my 2 cents worth.

Ask your Realtor to show you comparable homes that have SOLD in the neighborhood. Discuss with the Realtor the plus and minus of what your house has over the ones that have sold. Then look at the sold per sq ft price it sold at. Determine if you are priced correctly to sell. If it is, then you have to determine if it is worth the carrying cost to carry it possible through another "season" or is it better for you to lower the price and tell the Realtor that is your discounted price and there isn't much wiggle room for any low offers. The house needs a lot of work and the price needs to take that into account. I'm guessing the bathrooms also reflect what is going on in the kitchen?

Also, clear out everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. The furniture and accessories are a negative. The buyers are coming from all over the country and some will not understand the heavy furniture in the desert. I would lower the price now, see the response you get the next couple of months. At that point you can determine if you need to stage and/ or paint the cabinets.

If you are in a "seasonal" community I would ask your Realtor if it makes sense to take it off the market for the summer. Usually I would recommend that but if you are priced to sell, usually the bargain hunters are looking then and there is less inventory on the market (as everyone else has removed their listing for the summer) so it could be to your advantage, IF you are priced to sell.

Good luck.

I live here in Phoenix and am familiar with the different areas around the Valley. The home looks to be in very nice condition. As said by tedbixby above, remove absolutely everything. The furniture is very large and because of this, detracts from the fact that you have very open and bright rooms with nice tall ceilings. Just make sure any holes left in the walls from removing pictures are patched and painted. I would only accessorize in the kitchen with just a few items that bring a simple color into the home, but nothing too "bright" as you want to highlight those beautiful counters. Keep it all simple and clean. In the bathrooms, place another item or two on the counter and maybe the tub/shower area, but keep the same colors that you used for the items in the kitchen. Just make sure the home is as clean as it can be and that it smells neutral and fresh - nothing overpowering.

Make sure the curb appeal is immaculate by keeping the front and back neat, clean and well-trimmed. Purchase a new front door mat to go in front of the entryway door. Make sure it goes well with the colors of the house and landscape, but also make sure the style fits the house as well.

Your real estate agent should have done comps prior to listing the home and should have priced it competitively. Prior to any price reduction, have your real estate agent refresh the listing and make sure that any old pictures with furnishings are removed. Take new pictures showing the openness and how light and bright the home is, and be sure to take a picture far enough back inside to highlight those soaring ceilings. Give it one week's worth of activity and then revisit the price if needed. Presentation is key! I wish you and your family the very best - Jillane

The granite is nice and it looks like it coordinates well with the current cabinet color and the floor. To update, I would paint the walls a light gray pulled from the tile and/or granite. Next I'd pull a darker grayish color directly from the granite and paint the bar the darker color - pretty dark but not too dark. This will give the open space some dimension and make it feel better, more human scale.

I would not consider the contents of the rooms at all. I'd focus on creating a well-harmonized envelope of a space with the focus on perfectly coordinated new paint colors with the fixed elements.

Hi cynjobaker I haven't read all of the ideas but strongly suggest hiring a company to stage the home. It is honestly money well spent! I live in the Phoenix metro area and homes are moving quickly close to or at asking prices. I hope you sell soon, best of luck!