Any real estate broker will tell you that the kitchen can make or break any real estate transaction, but you don’t have to shell out for a complete kitchen remodel to create a kitchen buyers will fall in love with. Instead, some fairly simple and inexpensive remodeling tweaks can make all the difference. Here are some examples to consider:

Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets: If your kitchen cabinets have seen better days (especially if those better days were in the 1980s or beyond), refinishing kitchen cabinets is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to revamp them. . There are hundreds of styles to choose from, so updating the design aesthetic in your kitchen shouldn’t be difficult.

Replace laminate countertops: Laminate countertops are no longer the best option for the modern kitchen. They tend to scratch and smudge quite easily and even if yours are relatively new, they can be off-putting to potential buyers. Replacing laminate countertops with a more practical and aesthetically pleasing alternative typically only costs about 15 percent of what a complete kitchen remodel would cost, but it can have a big impact on the kitchen’s appearance and overall appeal.

Replace Cabinet Hardware – If you really don’t want to reface your cabinets or are simply out of your current budget, something as simple as changing your kitchen cabinet hardware can make all the difference.

Add under cabinet lighting – Light rooms are naturally friendlier and more inviting than dark ones and increasing the light in your kitchen could help increase its overall value. Contact a good local electrician to discuss the possibility of installing new under-cabinet lighting in your kitchen, a simple adjustment that can illuminate the entire space, making it that much more buyer-friendly.

Upgrade Kitchen Appliances – Most homebuyers expect kitchen appliances to come with the home they are buying as part of the sales price. Even if your kitchen appliances still work pretty well but are old and unattractive, chances are they aren’t as energy efficient as models on the market today. If you’re renovating with a sale in mind, you don’t have to go for top-of-the-line models, but appliances that are clean and tidy and carry the Energy Star logo will be a positive in most buyers’ minds.

Check the Floor: If your kitchen floor has seen better days, even though it’s under your feet, potential buyers will notice. If you think your kitchen floor will need to be replaced before your house sells, this is a great opportunity to go green, which can be another great selling point in these eco-conscious days. Bamboo and cork are the most popular green flooring options right now, and both work great in the kitchen.