If you are spending $2,000,000+ for a home, you deserve a built-in refrigerator! Check its age though, because they are expensive to replace. Sub-Zero and Thermador refrigerators will last for 20 years and are made in America. GE fridges are American-made too, but they don’t carry the same swagger. If you’re selling your home and don’t want to spend the money, then at least buy a counter-depth fridge that will partially disguise your thriftiness.
Here are thoughts on evaluating the kitchen:
Kirsten Jordan knows to look out for signs that a home is priced too high based on the current state of the kitchen — even if it looks brand new.
“When a home has a brand new, on-trend kitchen and is priced at the top of the market, I make sure to read that kitchen closely,” she said. “Did they renovate to sell? You can tell by the quality of the materials and construction. Maybe it’s because of social media but Americans have become too focused on what’s trendy. Quality should be your first priority. Quality retains value.”
One area to pay close attention to is the cabinets.
“Look at the kitchen cabinet’s quality,” Jordan said. “Is there dovetailing? Are the drawers soft-close? Is there a maker’s mark? If not, they’re probably builder’s grade — that means particle board construction and wood veneer cabinet faces, which don’t wear well. The kitchen might look great today, but in four years you’ll need upgrades and if it’s not your aesthetic there’s no way to refinish — you’ll need to rip it all out. That kitchen could cost you thousands more in the not-so-distant future.”
Another thing to take into account is the appliances.
“You can tell a lot about a seller from the quality of appliances they’ve selected,” Jordan said.
She recommends using AI to determine the quality of the kitchen appliances.
“Your phone now has a visual look-up feature where you can snap a photo and search it using AI,” Jordan said. “Use this tool to look up the appliance, quickly find reviews and see if there’s a Reddit thread about issues with the components. If you want to go really deep, search in Google News for information about any recalls. You can also buy a $30 subscription to Consumer Reports. Their expert team tests all the appliance brands for you and then provides unbiased reviews.”
Sometimes the kitchen upgrades needed are relatively minor, so it’s still worth buying the home with a negotiated sales price. Other times, it’s better to just walk away.
https://signaturekitchens.com/blog/sub-zero-vs-thermador/
My counter depth cost thousands less and looks just as good.
GE has several “Made In The USA” refrigerators but the fine print is “designed and assembled” where designed means “list of criteria” and “assembled” means we screw in the 100v/60Hz plug.
What’s your take on IKEA kitchen cabinets in a $3 million home?
I’ve put $250k Siematic cabinets in a home. And the IKEA cabinets look about 80% as good (soft close, no handle hardware, etc) for 5% of the cost.
Was thinking of remodeling kitchen in primary home, already have all Miele appliances to put in and was seriously considering ikea cabinets. (With the plain white caesarstone countertops).
But may be calling you in the next 2 years to sell depending on some factors. That house is already very high end everywhere else.
With everything else high end, don’t risk it. Go all the way.
Unless you are in Carmel Valley and want to blend in with all the recently built McModerns. IKEA would probably work there.
After several remodels, I would absolutely agree with everything here. Built-in fridge like a Sub Zero is a great investment.
Thanks Mike – when selling, buyers want to be impressed. The Sub-Zero refrigerators do the trick.
They’re even better if you’re not selling! Happy wife….
Thanks. Not CV, Solana Beach
Guess I’ll take your advice.
Buyers are sick and tired of seeing the half-baked house where homeowners did a decent remodel but only because it broke and they got talked into doing a nice job for once.
A house full of high-end upgrades would blow buyers away. They’d pay anything for that – it’s very hard to find.
I would rather have a cheaper GE appliance that is built in & sits flush along the cabinets any day than high end appliances not built in sticking way out from cabinets & looking like an after thought. I have had my GE monogram appliances for 12 years & the issues have been very minor where I was able to search youtube & fix myself replacing a power supply for lights or my kid breaking the ice dispenser flap you place cup against.
Ikea cabinets on a $3mil home would totally fly around here to me, their cabinets are designed very well & worlds ahead of the garbage cabinets they put in these tract homes around here.
So your seller cannot afford/justify a full kitchen renovation? Try these things as a second-best:
1. Paint the cabinets
2. Change out the backsplash and/or counters
3. Change the hardware.
4. Install new lighting
5. Add some furniture/storage/shelves.
If you want a kitchen cabinet facelift without going crazy I would suggest just refacing your current cabinets.
I recently did this & it looks like a brand new kitchen. Just simply measure your cabinet door/drawer fronts & order same size, when doing this I also just did what the builder should have done in the first place & installed all new soft close hinges as well. Blum makes the best soft close hinges out of the ones I tested.
I have ordered thermofoil as well as solid wood cabinet fronts, when I ordered the solid wood cabinet fronts I just had them paint them as they turn out way better that way & they bake on the paint.
I have used the following places online:
https://www.barkerdoor.com – used for solid wood fronts
https://www.fastcabinetdoors.com – used for thermofoil fronts
https://cabinetdoor.store – used for solid wood fronts
I need to come by for a look!!
Sure thing, anytime Jim!
I re-faced every single cabinet in my home as once you do one area it is addicting & you can’t stand to look at the other old tired looking fronts 🤣
Like anything do it yourself nowadays I just watch a few youtube instructional videos & then I am off to the races. I find that it turns out better when I do myself rather than hiring someone as I actually care & take pride in it.