Photo by CongerDesign via Pixabay
You recently purchased a home, and as a new homeowner, you’re itching to get moved into your new kitchen so you can get settled and start entertaining. Wait! Before you get caught up organizing your pots and pans, do a little preventative care. If you want a kitchen you can entertain in hassle-free, take the time to do these things.
Deep Clean
Whether you purchased new construction or an adorable 1920s bungalow, you need to deep clean. Either hire a reputable company, or take on the task yourself, but do it. Clean all the cabinets high and low, doors, knobs, any framing, behind and under all appliances that may have come with the house.
Next to tackle the sink hardware. Clean the faucet, remove calcium build up and run drain cleaner to preventatively tackle any clogs hidden just under the surface.
If your home came with an oven and dishwasher, use the self-clean settings they have and clean them yourself after. Starting with a fresh, clean slate will ensure your kitchen stays in good shape with just a little ongoing maintenance.
Test and Clean Your Hardware
Check that all cabinet doorknobs and drawer pulls are properly attached. Make sure that all your drawer tracks align and slide in and out well. Ensure that all hinges are tight and squared.
Pest Control
Check your countertop and backsplash for any cracks or holes that could be the perfect escape route for any ants or roaches that may try to find a way into your home in the future. Seal up any gaps you find with caulking or grout. Then, treat the whole kitchen with preventative pest control. You can find industrial-grade solutions online that are very affordable and will last you through the lifetime of your house. Once you treat the kitchen space, you’ll want to let it stand for at least a few hours before you wipe down the counters again and start putting away your belongings.
Preparing your kitchen for daily use and entertaining is important and is not an area you want to neglect during your move in. With these steps you’ll be ready to get things organized just the way you like and get to entertaining.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
