Why Upgrade To Granite (continued)
Granite Countertops & Quartz Countertops
Judy Hanrahan, an agent with Re/Max Advantage Realty in Silver Spring, Md., advocates spiffing up the kitchen, but within limits. "You wouldn't have to upgrade to granite just to sell the house if what you have is bright and in good condition." Up-to-date appliances are as important as the countertop and cabinets.
And even though kitchens and bathrooms are the biggest attraction for many buyers, you shouldn't blow all your spiff-up cash on those rooms.
"Sometimes you see people go so overboard improving one place and ignoring someplace else in the house that needs to be taken care of," Hanrahan said.
Hans Wydler, an associate broker with Long Foster's Bethesda, Md., office, pointed out that decision-making leading up to a sale should be different than it would be if the owner planned to enjoy the upgrades for a few years. You simply may not get enough return on the investment.
"The bigger the money you spend, the riskier the proposition," he said.
And you may not get as big a boost in price from expensive countertops as you would from spending your money on a variety of cheaper upgrades, such as paint and basic landscaping. "Typically, if the house has older countertops, it also has older cabinets, and the new buyer may want to replace the whole thing."
$31 TO $77
Jennifer Walker, an agent with McEnearney Associates in Alexandria, Va., said that, with home prices so high, "people are walking in and expecting everything to be done. They can't afford to do anything else." A less-expensive Corian countertop, or even the least-expensive new laminate top, could be a reasonable compromise, she said. "There are pretty nice laminates now."
If you decide to upgrade, you will find that the price difference between lowly laminate and the fancier materials has narrowed.
At Home Depot, for example, you can find Wilsonart-brand laminate in a broad variety of colors for the installed price of $31 per square foot. (You'll pay extra to have old countertops removed and for plumbing.) With a fancy beveled or wooden edge, the cost goes up to $33 or $36 per square foot, respectively, approaching Corian territory, which starts at $37 per square foot for simple beige or white.
Prices for quartz-based products, such as Silestone, are about on a par with basic (but attractive) granites. Silestone prices were $62 to $77 per square foot, installed, the day I shopped. Some nice granites in black, white or salt-and-pepper were available at $69.
More Granite Countertop Information
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