HEART AND SOUL

from HDD Charlotte August/September 2022

A WARM TRANSFORMATION

ALLEN TATE REALTORS TALK MARKET TRENDS IN KITCHENS AND BATHS.

WRITTEN BY BRANDY WOODS SNOW

If kitchens are the heart of the home where people gather, share food, and converse, then baths are considered the soul—tranquil areas to escape the demands of the day and soak into the relaxation of a long bath. These two spaces are highly valued due to their constant daily use, and their function, beauty, and layout will always be revered as the heart and soul of the home.

“Kitchens and baths remain two of the most important areas of the home when selling or buying, only second to location,” says Allen Tate real estate agent Christina Stone. “They can certainly make or break a deal, depending on whether these spaces are updated or not, in relation to the list price of the home.”

Allen Tate real estate agent Caroline Grossman agrees, saying that dated and bare-bones kitchens and baths can deter prospective buyers before they ever step foot in the home. “Buyer clients hone in on the kitchen and bath spaces and often rule out an in-person visit based on the images of those specified areas, especially if they’re not prepared to oversee renovations or if surplus funds aren’t available to implement updates.”

The demand for stylish, functional, and spacious storage is a driving force behind today’s hottest kitchens. High-end cabinetry with soft-close doors as well as deep drawers and expansive pantries for inconspicuous storage of food, appliances, and garbage disposal are top requests. A recent

“KITCHENS AND BATHS REMAIN TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS OF THE HOME WHEN SELLING OR BUYING.”

—CHRISTINA STONE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIERRALLURE PRODUCTIONS For more information, contact ALLEN TATE at 800-210-0321 or visit ALLENTATE.COM. trend has been a desire for dual-color cabinetry, with different hues for upper and lower cabinets or islands in a complementary alternative color. Luxury countertops with durability (quartz is highly favored) and modern, streamlined hardware complete the desired aesthetic. Grossman notes a growing trend of bold pops of color in the tile backsplash against white cabinets, farmhouse sinks, double ovens, and separate serving areas between the kitchen and dining areas for beverage stations.

Stone says top-market wants for bathrooms include large showers with frameless doors and multiple heads, freestanding tubs, updated lighting, steam showers, and framed mirrors. She also notes an interest in “dual anything,” including double vanities and mirrors. This trend extends beyond baths to the kitchen, where dual refrigerators and islands are all the rage.

For sellers interested in capturing top dollar for their homes, a simple sprucing of the kitchen and bath promises a favorable return on investment. “I have seen clients gain 60 percent or more on their investment by upgrading various kitchen and bathroom areas,” Grossman says. “Any investment, even as small as a hardware refresh, can improve property value. I recommend clients update these areas to their personal tastes while also keeping in mind whether a buyer five to ten years in the future would still find the space functional and attractive.”

Stone agrees. “Based on buyer behavior, updated kitchens and baths done in neutrals with upgraded appliances, cabinetry, countertops, lighting, and tubs are most desirable in all price points and by all age groups. When a homeowner imparts attention to detail and functionality to the space, it can exceed their expectations as well as those of any potential buyer.” u