The kitchen is the heart of the home, and at no time is this fact more noticeable than when you’re trying to sell your home. Buyers will usually make a beeline for the kitchen when they first enter a prospective new home, say experts, and they will be able to tell within five seconds (yes, just five) whether they can picture themselves living there or not. To do the mental math, this means that a quick look at your kitchen can be the make-or-break moment for your would-be buyers. Is your kitchen one that welcomes and attracts buyers, or is it a room that will make folks run for the hills? Here’s a few things that will send buyers screaming in the other direction when it comes to the kitchen.

Kitchen Mistake #1: Cleanliness

First of all: cleanliness. Even if the rest of your home is pristine, a kitchen that is anything less than spotless will repel buyers. Do you often fry things in oil? Better make sure that there’s no greasy coating on the range, backsplash, or nearby items. Make sure that the sink is shining and that all the breakfast dishes are washed and put safely away. You will want to clean right down to nitty-gritty details like behind your fridge and inside your oven. Yes, nosy buyers WILL look. Before your house goes on the market, be sure to give your kitchen a deep, deep cleaning. Put fresh lining paper in the cabinets and scrub the baseboards behind the appliances, so buyers have nothing at which to flinch. 

Kitchen Mistake #2: Pets

Have any feline friends? Best to banish all traces of them before your realtor schedules a showing. Unless your prospective buyers are “cat people” (and even then, some may have lofty standards), they will NOT appreciate signs that your pet has traipsed through the kitchen. Many people leave the kitty litter in the kitchen - this is an absolute “no.” Same goes for food and water dishes, to say nothing of Fluffy herself. If buyers happen to see a cat lounging on the countertop, they could be grossed out and wonder about the sanitation levels of your home. Stick your kitty in the cat carrier and vacate the house with him or her when you have a showing. 

Kitchen Mistake #3: Clutter

Another thing that will repel buyers is clutter. What accounts for clutter in the kitchen? You know what I’m talking about: “junk drawer(s)” overflowing with miscellaneous stuff, a pile of backlogged mail overflowing on the counter, assortments of crocheted appliance cozies scattered about, or a hodgepodge of magnets on the refrigerator. These little things might feel homey to you, but they will prevent buyers from seeing your kitchen in its best light. Pick up! 

These are just a few basics you can tackle to make sure that your kitchen doesn’t spell doom for your home sale. Buyers are almost universally picky about kitchens, so give this area of the house special attention when you are readying for showings. A few hours of cleaning and preparation can make the difference between a fruitless, hasty walkthrough and a serendipitous showing that nets an offer.