Does it HAVE to be granite?

[shortbun]

Our remodel(kitchen)starts in about 3 weeks and I still have to pick out my counters. We were going to do concrete and DH was going to pour them but...we've decided we're going to sell next year and concrete is still unknown to the general public so-we're going with granite. I don't really love the idea of granite and all the upkeep - sealing regularly and so forth. I'm a low maintenance kind of gal. I don't like making work for myself, rather I prefer to cut down on the amt of chores. I only like the really expensive granite thus far and I'm not paying for it to go in a house I'm leaving so, I'm stuck with boring granite that I have to take care of. Yuk!

If you were looking for a home, would you expect granite counter tops? Does the kitchen REALLY sell the house?

 

[Darcy03231]

Our remodel(kitchen)starts in about 3 weeks and I still have to pick out my counters. We were going to do concrete and DH was going to pour them but...we've decided we're going to sell next year and concrete is still unknown to the general public so-we're going with granite. I don't really love the idea of granite and all the upkeep - sealing regularly and so forth. I'm a low maintenance kind of gal. I don't like making work for myself, rather I prefer to cut down on the amt of chores. I only like the really expensive granite thus far and I'm not paying for it to go in a house I'm leaving so, I'm stuck with boring granite that I have to take care of. Yuk!

If you were looking for a home, would you expect granite counter tops? Does the kitchen REALLY sell the house?

Yes and yes. Although I might consider a house that gave me back a credit to purchase my own granite countertops.

 

[Tampa Mousekeeter]

I think it depends on what other finishes your going to have...we have granite and I love it, but I would not spend the money on it if you plan to leave.......I think it also depends on the price range of your home and like I said the other finishes you have (ie: tile, ss appliances, etc). I did see on one of those home make-over shows they have the granite squares that must be less expensive.

 

[dumbodame]

My folks just re-did their kitchen and they did the concrete countertops. They are GORGEOUS!!!!

 

[sue1013]

I have granite in both my kitchen and bathrooms. The upkeep is wiping it down with sealer once or twice a year. I don't know where people get the idea there is a lot of upkeep? I've had mine in the bathrooms for 4 years and 3 in the kitchen looks the same as the day it was installed.

 

[Califgirl]

We are also remodeling our kitchen / living room. We went with a concrete fireplace surround which is gorgeous. I went with Black granite counter tops. Everyone has told me that the black granite is much more dense than the other granites and barely needs to be sealed. However, it is black, so I'm sure it will show lots of water marks, fingerprints and such if they are not wiped up immediately, where a more patterned granite would hide that better.

 

[DisTwix]

Granite is definitely not on my list of must-haves. But, I am unusual.

I think it does depend on the price point of your house, the competition you'll be up against (do THEY have granite? then you'd better), what kind of buyer you are appealing to...

Have you considered recycled glass counters? I've seen some in showrooms and they are GORGEOUS - it's what I'll do for sure if I ever remodel. I'm not sure how widely available they are tho....

To me, granite is as time-dating as avocado refrigerators and dark brown panelling. Sure, it looks nice, but something else will be hot in 5 years.

 

[Pigeon]

It depends on your neighborhood and your competition. For me, granite would be a big plus. Concrete, not so much.

I also don't understand what is this huge amount of maintenance you are talking about. I don't have granite in my current kitchen, but I do have it in my bathrooms. I have to spray the countertop twice a year with sealant, and wipe it. It takes a total of maybe 15 minutes tops. It's really no different at all from giving the counters a good wipedown, which I do routinely. Unless you live in Buckingham Palace, you're talking an hour a year or so.

I don't like the totally black granites, as they do show water spots if you don't wipe them after washing, but most granites aren't like that.

 

[cvjw]

You don't have to constantly reseal your granite! The company that installed ours put on a special sealer, good for like 10 years or something. We have had the new countertops 3 years, and I have done nothing to them!

 

[PinkRhombus]

Have you considered recycled glass counters? I've seen some in showrooms and they are GORGEOUS - it's what I'll do for sure if I ever remodel. I'm not sure how widely available they are tho....

http://www.vetrazzo.com/products_palette.html


I saw them use that stuff on a bath remodel on a HGTV show. Really pretty.

 

[ccgirl]

I am a realtor in MA and concrete really doesn't go over well unless it is a contemporary loft or something like that. As an option to granite, I would go with silestone or another synthetic. We did that in our kitchen. It was the same price as granite but it is nonporous so does not need to be sealed. I can still cut right on it as well as place hot pots. I absolutely LOVE it!!! Silestone is the manufacturer so I believe other manufacturers have it as well. In addition, since it is synthetic, it all matches - unlike the granite slab. Just a thought.

 

[PinkRhombus]

I priced out that Silestone and it was more expensive than granite.

 

[Chicago526]

I think it mainly depends on what other homes in your area generally have. If most have it, it may be a good idea to go ahead and put it in. Or, offer a credit at closing or have a lower asking price on your home to compensate for it.

I've see the synthetics at the home stores, I think they all look like junk myself. Maybe they aren't installed right or they have crudy styles on display but I have to say I'm not impressed with what I've seen.

 

[semo233]

Even granite has a wide range of prices. The upkeep is really minimal. The best thing is to find a granite dealer/installer who has slabs on thier premises. Then start asking about prices. bring a small drawer or drawer front, paint chips, etc. so that you can get an idea if it will coordinate.

I would stay away from the granite tiles.

 

[maggiew]

We recently bought a house (in the $450,000 - $500,000 range) and ALL of the houses we looked at had granite. The house we ended up buying did NOT have granite, but it is on DH's todo list. He keeps saying, "The first thing I want to do is put in granite." The house is really nice and it seems odd that there isn't better counters in the kitchen???

If you are really looking to sell, it will make a big difference in how your house shows.

You are probably wondering why we didn't buy a house with granite if it was so important. Well, we had special circumstances and were looking for a house with a mother-in-law suite on the first floor. So that took priority over the granite.

Maggie

 

[DisTwix]

http://www.vetrazzo.com/products_palette.html


I saw them use that stuff on a bath remodel on a HGTV show. Really pretty.

That is exactly the stuff! It was priced comparably to other solid surface/granite counters, had amazing color options, and is incredibly low maintence and durable.

LOVE IT!!!

 

[MEM]

I'm addicted to HGTV and on the show "My House is Worth WHAT?" this type of question comes up all the time. Depending on the market in the area, granite countertops may not give you a good return on your investment. Butcher-block seems to be popular in modest neighborhoods.

 

[jennsuko]

I personally dislike granite. Would actually prefer a house with either the recycled glass or concrete.

 

[KirstenB]

I am a realtor in MA and concrete really doesn't go over well unless it is a contemporary loft or something like that. As an option to granite, I would go with silestone or another synthetic. We did that in our kitchen. It was the same price as granite but it is nonporous so does not need to be sealed. I can still cut right on it as well as place hot pots. I absolutely LOVE it!!! Silestone is the manufacturer so I believe other manufacturers have it as well. In addition, since it is synthetic, it all matches - unlike the granite slab. Just a thought.

I prefer this type of countertop too. I want something less hard than granite.

 

[Buckeye Princess]

So much depends on where you live. My husband and I will be moving when he finishes med school and moves into residency. That won't be for another year and a half but I have already spoken with local realtors ind out what types of upgrades are most worthwhile for the neighborhood we live in. It's been very helpful and has helped us decide which projects to focus on and where to save our money. For example, we live in a historic neighborhood where for one reason or another gardening and landscaping is very prominent and popular. However kitchens aren't a huge deal because with old houses kitchens tend to be smaller and people usually come in knowing that. Instead of spending money on stainless steel and aesthetics in the kitchen. We are spending money on solutions that really maximize the space.