It isn’t a million dollar kitchen, but, how many million dollar shoppers will be considering your house?

I think it is fine and when you put the house on the market, get everything off the counters.

IMO tile backsplashes are the first thing to date a kitchen. I don't see too many installed that look good with countertop choices either. I would remove the backsplash and go with something else besides tile, something that is easier to install and looks like it's easy to remove from the next buyer's perspective. The best thing would be to leave painted wall instead of any backsplash, but it's already been tiled so you'll have to cover it with something. I would lighten up the kitchen wall color also, and put all of your time into making your home spotless!!

If I were looking at the kitchen, as a buyer, the first thing that would hit me is that awful granite. But I would rather replace it myself and get what I liked, than have the seller replace it and charge more money for an upgraded kitchen. But that's me.

We bought a house with a lot, lot worse. I think with a good de-cluttering and staging, it will show very nicely. To me, IF you were going to change anything it would be the backsplash to something simple and plain. In all honesty, I would be pretty happy to have this kitchen and even happier that down the road I could put my unique decorating or renovating stamp on it. I always hated when we were house shopping to find a kitchen that had just been "done" (this meant a lot of different things and some not so good). I felt too guilty ripping out new stuff just because it was not my taste. We walked away from those.

Your house will sell. Your realtor is only looking to make it easier on themselves.

Thank you for all your kind comments! I guess the majority of the comps in our area are new construction so maybe that's why it looks so dated. We bought the house 10 years ago when it was more of a seller market so we definitely overpaid. We were trying to make up as much ground as we could.

Since you all have been so kind how about one more teeny question.

Our house is 3300sq ft (finished) with another 3000sq ft unfinished (our basement which is framed and wired) and 1500 sq ft in our attic. I have nagged my husband about finishing the basement (all it would need is plumbing, drywall etc) but he thinks we will just break even. Should we pursue to add to our asking or is it pointless? I'm not sure how much it would cost but I'm sure we would be interested if it would add to the value.

Thanks again!

One of the things to note is that the pictures may not accurately reflect the colors of the granite and backspash. It's just what happens with artificial light.

Having said that, it looks ok but perhaps a little dark. Not wanting to spend a lot of money (and ripping out the backspash and granite would be $$$), I might suggest lighter paint and maybe brighter cabinet pulls or some such.

Otherwise, there is a lot more to a house than just the kitchen.

I agree with Sophie. Don't spend any money. Remove everything from the counters and above the cabinets. Also, edit the open shelves and glass cabinets. This post is worth reading: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/selling-home-and-people-complain-about-the-color-of-cupboards-dsvw-vd~3317718?n=104

Spoiler: the home sold after a few updates and new listing photos.

Don’t spend any more money on the house! You won’t get it back. Wait and see what offers you get or if there are any huge issues for negotiation. The kitchen is dated, but it’s workable and clean; spending money on a glass back splash isn’t going to change it.

A finished basement wouldn’t sell me a house, either. I don’t want to be in a basement. I would rather it for storage.

If a family gets your nice house at a good price, there is nothing that I see that would keep them from cooking and enjoying a nice meal. Let the new owners make the house into their dream.

That is an outdated nightmare? I think the backsplash competes with the busy granite, but that is about it. If anything, I'd replace it with some cheap subway tile. I'd also shop around to other realtors.

When deciding what to ask for your home, you do need to take into consideration that your home is older (systems included) then the newer builds, and you do need to price accordingly. You would never get back the money you would put into bringing your home up to a new build - that only works on HGTV - and it makes me mad when HGTV shows suggest that you can get more back than you put in - it is usually less, often much less. The house across the street from me is sitting on the market, originally priced $100,000 more (in a $300,000 neighborhood) than it is worth because the owner is trying to get back her investments in removing a wall, new windows, extensive landscaping, and cosmetic kitchen work. She has dropped her price $50,000 and it is still sitting there - 6 months later. Only flippers, who buy a home that is under market value because of major flaws and do the work DIY for the most part, can make money on a rehab.

buying high and then wanting to recoup some money is a noble idea, but your potential buyers arent with you on that.... they are only comparing your home with others on the market. all that matters is what someone will pay for it, no matter how much you'd like more.

i think uncluttered and turning on the lights would help if you would like advice on a new backsplash. beyond that, i wouldnt do it.

but i've not seen the rest of your house... if you have 3 1/2 similarly "aged" bathrooms, well, yeah, it wont compare well to new construction. you need to highlight how your house is better. mature landscaping, etc. or, price drop.

Always meet with at least 3 realtors.

everyone is dumping on the realtor, and i'm not sure why. we have no idea what the comps are for this house; hiring a different realtor just because they agree to come on the market over priced, and letting it sit there unsold, losing its first 'rush' of being new to the market, just doesnt make any sense.

perhaps the realtor IS wanting to price it low but we dont know that. we do know winter is coming (with few buyers) and other new builds exist.

We have bought 3 homes in 10 years due to various reasons (out of state move/needed more space for growing family). We almost always have to "settle" on a kitchen to get a different attribute (in our current case it is a location/waterfront compromise). I would be very happy with your kitchen, but as a buyer I personally can imagine what new doors and a new backsplash would look like. I think that is why some realtors make comments because plenty of buyers cannot easily imagine basic upgrades. In your kitchen, I would be pleased with stainless appliances, the overall size, the lighting, openness to a room with vaulted ceiling, and although that granite wouldn't be my first choice, I would be happy to continue using it. I would seek another opinion from a realtor. And I wouldn't finish the basement, but again as a buyer your house is a great size already so I would be glad to have the potential of additional space in the basement. I do think switching out your backsplash would be a low cost way to enhance appeal.

Decluttering & price your house appropriately, don’t waste your time & money.

Sophie! Where can I get that metallic wallpaper???? I need that for my bathroom...

On topic, I think that kitchen looks great! It's clean, in good shape, no obvious flaws. Very presentable! Worry about other stuff first.

Wow Sophie those are terrible!! I may have exaggerated the state of my kitchen!!! It's definitely a nightmare to me but those are just ridiculous. Thank you for the laugh

How does the realtor know what prospective buyers like/dislike? I've sold two houses where I fired realtors because they could not sell the house in 6 months. Once we found the right realtor(who showed the houses to people in the market for that type house and specified NOT spending a dime on remodel/upgrades), the houses sold in less than a week.

I remodeled rooms in several houses after the new owners bought them because they got a good deal and could replace to their tastes, not a realtor's taste. That made much more sense than tearing out new carpet/etc. to put in their choice---which I have seen done many times.

Don't worry too much about your kitchen. It you feel like updating some, try a new backsplash. Otherwise, most new owners will update it themselves.

Love Sophie's idea!

Lauren, I agree with simply decluttering. Your realtor should know that...in your case.

LOL...still trying to get over the ceiling, backsplash and floor in Sophie's first pic.

I realize getting what we paid is never going to happen. As of now we stand to lose roughly 30% of what we paid so we are just trying to make up what we can. Our neighborhood had 25 lots that were repossessed by the county which they sold for 8,000$ (previously listed for $30,000-75,000) to a builder who is building "cheap" houses. We can't compete with the new construction price so we were looking to market the character and quality of our house vs the cookie cutter new homes.

We we know we will take a hit we were just looking to soften the blow!!

oh well, then just leave it. if you're not making a dime, I wouldn't put a dime in it. the kitchen looks fine as it is.

"if you're not making a dime, I wouldn't put a dime in it. "

What she^^ said.

ninigret, I used to be a realtor and I really recommend talking with at least 3 realtors when listing a home. You are not obligated to them until you pick one and list with them.

I have worked with some really great realtors and I have worked with some that don't know what they are talking about. Just because someone has a title doesn't mean they are good at what they do. Talking with at least a few will give a seller a better understanding of their home and the market.

Maybe this realtor wants only perfect listings in her portfolio (I met one like that). Whatever the reason, I can't see that kitchen as being a $20,000 cost to the seller. But... meeting with another realtor can prove me wrong (or right).

Sophie, those kitchens wow just wow

But I have to admit, I think the last one is kind of cute. I picture the owner kind of a 50s pin up cool chick with (at least) a tattooed sleeve

You hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the 25 lots the builder is putting cheap houses on. It is absolutely effecting your market. That being said, Realtors are people and subject to bias as are all people. The new and trendy finishes will appeal to some, BUT there are just as many (me included) that HATE those cheap cookie cutter houses and are biased in the other direction. Your realtor could be awesome...I won't judge her ;)....but do make sure she can really sell your home. Also, like many said, a good stager can do wonders! I wouldn't do anything more than paint.

BTW...the price can change a lot depending on when next year you are listing. Don't get too hung up on her quote yet

another consideration is WHO is your target buyer? Based on the size of your home alone (without knowing where you are at) I would say NOT the first time homebuyer, so having trendy finishes will not be quite as important. Quality, condition, flow and ability to customize (basement, attic) will be important.

That being said, do listen to the realtor you choose about price when the time comes. Many people kill their own sales by insisting on listing too high at first.

Thank you for the advice Rachel. Before all the new construction our neighborhood consisted of mainly families with older kids and empty nesters but things have changed. Thanks to the cookie cutter houses and gentrification of nearby Atlanta, we have noticed an influx of first time buyers. The houses being so cheap and in a good area are definitely changing the makeup of our neighborhood. It's startling how fast the value of your house can drop but it's life.

I have bought and sold 4 houses in the last 3 years, one in the ATL area. Looking at comps might not help you with cheap new construction that close, although we priced compared to houses the same age. If the builder isn't doing granite and SS you may have a bit of advantage. I agree with not spending another penny. Interview your 3 realtors and plan on getting 20% less than what they say it will sell for.

I'd get a color specialist in for a consultation on paint. A different color on the walls would lighten things up and complement the granite and cabinets better. That's it. As a buyer your kitchen is nice and functional and I'd want to pick out my own upgrades. Same for the basement. Leave it as is and let the new owner decide what they want to do with it. Good luck Lauren!

Lauren, I just went into a friends house where she painted her tile. She said it was a special tile paint and will not scratch off. It actually looked really good, I was surprised. If you are selling, this might be a good idea for you to do to your backsplash. Pick the lighter color from the counter and paint. It would clean up the busyness and be a lot less costly for you. Good luck

I agree that replacing the backsplash with a simple tile in a color that works with the granite is the easiest fix. I wouldn't spend anywhere near $20K on that kitchen for resale. Your realtor is way off. The potential basement space is a plus for a buyer that may have unique desires for the space eventually. Finishing it yourself may not suit their needs and you'd spend more than you'd get back.

My former boss had a great saying: ‘when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging!’ So that would be a big NO to basement remodel and kitchen update. If you can do very simple things like paint, declutter, and turn on lights, do it. But stop throwing good money after bad.

I'm going to disagree with pretty much everyone above. I've bought and sold a lot of houses over the last 15 years. I've renovated or updated most of them - sometimes major renos, and sometimes just superficial things. I've always made money. People on THIS SITE may overlook old kitchens because this site is self selected people who like home projects. And people on this site may be correct in saying that other people SHOULD overlook old kitchens. But the reality is that the vast majority of buyers will NOT contemplate a kitchen renovation and want a move in house. Accordingly, and *especially* in a neighborhood with tons of new builds, your 14 year old kitchen is going to make your house sit on the market for a long time unless you offer a substantial discount over the new builds.

So maybe you are at peace with selling your house way below the comps. Most people, however, aren't. And they price they older houses too close to comps and then they sit on the market for ages. So the question is what do you value more: Getting the house sold quickly and at a moderate price but having to do some work and spend some money to get there? Or are you okay with sitting on the house for 6 or more months and ultimately selling way below where it might sell with a small bit of upgrades?

I'm inclined to do the work. What would I do on your kitchen? I'd spend the $3000 to paint the whole first floor a more contemporary color. I would paint the backsplash, or tear it out and put something cheap like painted beadboard on top. You could spend $100 on cheap chrome cabinet hardware, but I don't think it's essential. Are the electrical covers and outlets black? I'd swap them for white. I think the countertops are fine. I'd make similar updates of $500 to the bathrooms on the ground floor. So spend $5000 on some superficial updates and your house will sell a lot faster and without having to renovate the whole kitchen.

I would change your Estate Agent ! I have never been put off a house because of a kitchen !

I completely disagree with 'Hydrogen Peroxide' (H2O2).

Salesmen are supposed to sell. Get one that can do the job.

Hi, Lauren,

I'm late to this conversation, but wanted throw my 2 cents into the mix. Your house may not be for the younger buyers who want new, but it has plenty of pluses. Your kitchen is a nice size, and while the door style isn't modern, it leans towards French Provincial, which isn't as dated as you might think. Make a list of all the positives about the house that could be used in the listing. And lastly, make sure the realtor you ultimately list with has a top notch photographer. :)

I kind of disagree with H2O2 as well. I'm not into diy myself, but I do like quality, and I strongly suspect that your kitchen is going to be higher quality than those new tract homes will offer. That in itself will be a selling point. At most, I'd replace the backsplash, but I wouldn't invest another dime to update an otherwise fine kitchen.

I wouldn't be bothered by the kitchen either - just get some staging help to direct attention to good things and away from bad things, maybe repaint.

Also, make sure any 'unfinished' areas are still finished in the sense of work being completed and tidied up. That doesn't mean drywall, etc. but all cables and pipes and whatever other odds and ends are visible should be neat and secured or capped off properly or whatever is applicable to that kind of line. That way it looks like space with potential, not space that needs work right away.

(We bought our current house from someone who'd started but not finished a lot of that kind of work and I really do think it put off buyers. We're handy and anticipated making some changes anyway so it didn't bother us, but we also bought less house than we could afford because we wanted to have money available to do upgrades with because we knew we wouldn't likely find what we wanted exactly on the market.)

If the new builds are going up on the cheap, you really what a realtor who can push that fact tactfully to buyers and show them the benefit in buying a house that wasn't built (we hope) as cheaply as possible, and where someone else has done the 'shakedown cruise' of finding all the new build problems. (I guarantee those new builds might look shiny and pretty at first, but there will be problems. Just look here for some of the issues that come up from someone building on the cheap.)

good point about 'unfinished' shouldnt mean 'untidy'.

For whoever buys your house, this kitchen could be a huge upgrade. You don't need to appeal to every buyer; just the one that loves your house. Do the newer homes have the 2000 sq ft unfinished basement?

Your realtor must be getting a kick back from a contractor. Did he/she recommend anyone to do the work for you? Other than decluttering, your kitchen looks fine. Your kitchen wouldn't keep me from buying your house. Whatever you do, don't install painted bead board as a backsplash. It may be trendy, but it is not practical for anyone that actually cooks, and those potential buyers will know that they will have to tear that out almost immediately.

NOT a nightmare!

I agree with your realtor. And a new kitchen will cost far more than $20,000 for the buyers. As Sophie said, declutter and have it spotlessly clean. And price the house realistically, whether or not you are losing money. My DS went through this - they bought a $3 million dollar house in May 2008 and sold it two years ago - prices still have not come back to what they were. They lost $800,000 on that house. Very hard to stomach.

Both my sisters would love that kitchen, they both like darker woods and darker stone. I personally like lighter woods for a kitchen and glossy tile wall...frankly i really don't see dated as much as a different style.

I agree that changing up the backsplash seems like the biggest bang for the buck.

What exactly is the realtor suggesting? I mean, a new kitchen is more than $20K---so what does he/she think you should update?

I would love that kitchen! Changing it over to grey or white would be the actual nightmare.

The under cabinet lighting idea does make sense. Add that, and call it a day.

kitchens and baths do sell houses, and i believe everthing the property brothers say, lol. Paint the cabines white and go with white subway tile for a refresh and possibly appeal to more buyers. BTW i love the granite! good luck!

I will take your nightmare. :) I think its beautiful