Please don't use that cheap, fake wood for your floor replacement if you're selling.

[mom2rb]

I can understand that carpet can be a problem when it comes to allergies and dust but I still remember rolling around on the carpet with my cousins or getting a big floor pillow and laying down in front of the TV to watch something. Carpet just seems cozy while hardwood floors just seem hard!

I have memories of this as a child. I also have memories of giving my son breathing treatments twice a day until we ripped up the carpet. I have Travertine and wood throughout my house. Not a rug anywhere. The floors may be cold, you can't lay on the floor, and I always wear house shoes, but my child is healthy.

 

[C.Ann]

I think for someone who is this particular about what people have in existing homes, best bet would be to build yourself.. That way you can get exactly what you want - if you're willing to pay the price..

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Please know that I have no knowledge of good floor versus bad floor, the only difference I see is in the price.

Now, I am looking to replace my carpet. I have gone to the flooring stores and they told me with 3 kids and 2 dogs, you MUST go with laminate otherwise, the wood will look like crap in a very short time.

I went to multiple stores looking for the best price and they all told me the same thing

That is a bunch of bulloney. My dogs tore up the laminate in my last house in a matter of weeks.

I have hardwood now and it is taking a beating and doing fine. Yes, you can see faint nail indents when the sun shines on it a certain way.
The laminate looked like I owned 2 werewolves.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not so much. Pergo is probably the best known brand of laiminate, but it's not necessarily "high end." There are various lines of Pergo, which are actually manufactured by different companies. Some are better than others. But there are much better brands than Pergo.

Well yea, but you can get away with saying it is "Pergo" and it seems to get a pass.

 

[aprilgail2]

I agree with you about rather seeing no flooring than the cheap laminates, but flooring is usually a requirement for the house to qualify for financing. The house itself has to be deemable livable by standards set by mortgage companies, including flooring, working bathrooms, a working roof, etc.

I would not buy a house that had a bunch of laminate flooring in it- I hate the look, hate the weird feeling of walking on it---just not my thing. If I was looking for a new home I would just keep looking until I found one with nice hardwood floors. I am not a carpeting fan either-they are just gross, all the dust, dirt and who knows what else that gets into them--just don't care for that. We have hardwood throughout the house--used to have carpeting but had all that ripped up years ago and had the hardwood floors under it all refinished- had Porcelain floors put in when we redid the kitchen and dining room and granite coutertops put in....it was really funny because we started out with formica and linolium in our plans and then ended up with porcelain and granite and all stainless steel appliances (which I LOVE)...ended up costing a lot more than I had planned but it was worth it.

 

[littlele]

You may not want to hear this, but I'll throw it out there anyway....

The flooring is something a buyer notices right away, and if it is perceived that they or the builder cut some corners on this, some may think it is indicative of the quality of the home. I would get the idea that corners were cut in other areas too, which is why I would keep looking.

Obviously there are going to be different opinions on here, that's what keeps it interesting. I just have to say that I appreciate that the people on this board are still respectful regardless (for the most part)

 

[teacups]

I feel like a real wood demand is just a snobby issue. (not calling OP a snob. I dont know OP.. but Ive run into this question before.)
Our laminate cost as much as hard wood to initially have installed (yes we checked both)... we just dont have that occasional maintenance, my dogs dont damage it, my kids dont damage it, we can come in with sandy feet, clean up is a breee, its warm and nice looking. I love it.

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

Yeah because I am sure everyone had you in mind when they were thinking of what type of floor to install.

Get over it and move on to another house.

 

[Stevania]

I bet they had popcorn ceilings too!!!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

I bet they had popcorn ceilings too!!!:headache

Now they suck!

 

[Planogirl]

BTW, I won. Creamy, soft, clean carpeting throughout the living areas and bedrooms. So now I am trying to fulfill his desire of having something nicer in the kitch/dining. Boy, it's pricy!

Maybe you could install new countertops and hardware and call it a day? I would like a new countertop but something reasonable. Does such a thing exist?

 

[Planogirl]

I bet they had popcorn ceilings too!!!

Those STUPID popcorn ceilings! I'm trying to gradually get rid of them one at a time. Whoever came up with that bright idea?

 

[mickeyfan1]

I have seen brand new homes with popcorn ceiling, with in the last year. I don't car for them, but they aren't a deal breaker. Flooring isn't either, no matter what is down, it can be relaced. I personally prefer laminate to hardwood due to wearability, no Pug claw scratches.

We replaced the carpet in our LR/Dr with laminate, it had a rubber backing on it. Walking on it was no noisier than waliing on my neighbors hardwoods.

I would rather have linoleum in my kitchen than sheet vinyl, but I can't afford it. Most people have no idea and call sheet vinyl linoleum, but it's not.

 

[S. C.]

Maybe you could install new countertops and hardware and call it a day? I would like a new countertop but something reasonable. Does such a thing exist?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33035482#post33035482

 

[smidgy]

I have cleaned many houses. pergo is the best to clean. looks the best; easy to look clean and keep clean. hardwood takes a LOT of work to keep up.

I would much rather buy a house with "cheap" (really isn't cheap) ;laminate flooring. yes, wood floors are more desirable, IF you are willing to take the time, OVER the YEARS , for the upkeep. .. the constant stripping. restaining,, ... don't forget . don't use water to clean.....
just my choice.. as a former maid... never had either myself...


but... I can't believe the way house buyers basically want to buy a USED house...and yet... want a BRAND NEW HOUSE! if you want a brand new house, contract a builder and build it!!! thereare plenty builders and contractors out of work right now. if sellers had the money to "improve" the house just the way a buyer wants it, they could afford to staythere!.
whatever happened to "as is" .? why spend the money on white or carmel colored carpeting... up the price of the house, if the buyer is going to put in grey carpeting anyway? why spend the money?
don't start the biding at X amount... "tease" the seller... then after you basically "pull " the house off the market with the initial bid, CHOP that price down with THIS allowance, and THAT allowance, the seller has had that house off the market for 3 months,negotiating,(cause you KNOW the realtors aren't going to push that house, that has a contract on it; when there is a glut of other houses)and you were never even willing to give that original price.........you agreed on... cause you knew you were going to "this allowance" and "that allowance" down the price far below the asking price?. and now the seller has spent 3 months mortgage they couldnt afford, but thought they had a deal, and now can't afford to say "no, that's not a good deal for me" cause they can't afford another 3 months mortagage payments to put the house back on the market. and start from scratch?
legally, you can do that.... but morally and ethically, you have to live with yourself. or call yourself a scavenger.....
and no, this is NOT my case. , thankfully. just giving people something to think about.
when "taking advantage" of th "buyer's market".... just stop and think which FAMILY you are taking "ADVANTAGE" of. just try to be FAIR
in summation, if you are trying to take advantage of this buyer's market ' no harm, no foul.
just please, tell the seller... UP FRONT...FROM the start, your price. (example: if they have applainces that say upfront "as is" , don't agree to that , then 1 month , and one mortgage payment later, ask for a $500 appliance "insurance") that DID happen to me, in the past, 7 years ago. the washer, dryer, dishwasher, were in good shape. the stove was "as is", it worked, but not well . but I had 2 months previously bought a brand new refrigerator/ freezer.... better than I had EVER had!
one and a half months into negotiations, either I agreed to that stupid appliance insurance or the deal was off. even though iIhad a BIG sign on the stove "as is". apparently, I should have just NOT replaced the fridge, and lived out of a cooler for 2months... I basicaly GAVE them the new expensive fridge!!!! I bought that to AVOID this. ... but buyers know... you can't afford
another mortgage payment... they have you by the.....!
that was then, this is now. just warning you sellers. DON't be intimidated by these buyers!!!!! and find an agent you can trust!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your broker is supposed to work FOR YOU!!!!., NOT The buyer, but realtors are anxious to make ANY SALE right now. do NOT be pressured!!! godd luck

 

[alexandria674]

Some people actually like laminated floors and do not consider it cheap.

 

[bicker]

However, many people do see and feel a significant qualitative difference between laminate floors and hardwood floors, and will assess a value difference -- which makes sense given that there tends to be a significant price difference: The price difference very clearly demonstrates the average perceived value difference. As since such assessments of value are a subjective thing, there is no right and wrong when making the decision for one's self. In this case, however, we're talking about essentially making the decision for the next owner of the home. The qualitative difference between laminate flooring and hardwood flooring is so significant that it does reasonably affect whether a home is less or more attractive to many buyers. That's life. If two homes are up for resale, side-by-side, and are no different from each other in any way other than flooring, you'd expect that the homes to resell at prices reflective of the difference in the original price of the flooring, because that's the only difference between the two houses and it is a significant aspect. While that reality may be unfortunately from some folks' perspective, it is what it is.

 

[torinsmom]

You may not want to hear this, but I'll throw it out there anyway....

The flooring is something a buyer notices right away, and if it is perceived that they or the builder cut some corners on this, some may think it is indicative of the quality of the home. I would get the idea that corners were cut in other areas too, which is why I would keep looking.

Obviously there are going to be different opinions on here, that's what keeps it interesting. I just have to say that I appreciate that the people on this board are still respectful regardless (for the most part)

I was kind of opposite. I needed a good deal on a house. I was in a situation where it was either that or a trailer. I was looking for a house that needed some TLC; no major issues, just cosmetic. The house I ended up with had been on the market for almost a year(in very good housing market year). Grass looked like it hadn't been cut in months, storage shed was still full of junk, and the house had not even been cleaned. The "beige" carpets were dark brown and the "white" vinyl in the kitchen was gray. There was hair on all the baseboards and the whole house needed a paint job inside and out.

Despite all the cosmetic stuff, the house checked out fine with the inspector, other than needed a new water heater. They wanted $105,000, and I got it for $82,500 Spent $7000 on new carpet, vinyl, paint and did a thorough cleaning and I had a GREAT house. I've been living here for 10 years and because of the cheap mortgage, I have been able to add a screened porch, a new front deck, and add laminate(by choice) throughout the house.

I guess I feel like people buying a used house should be prepared to see a house used by someone else. If I ever sell, I will paint, but I won't replace the flooring,as I don't know a seller's tastes.

Marsha

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

ITA. I put laminate floors in my kitchen and I can tell you it wasn't as expensive as hardwood, it wasn't cheap either. It has also held up amazingly well. I could have gone with a really nice tile but I'm so glad I didn't. We just re-did our bathroom and put in a beautiful tile floor. I dropped my foundation on it and chipped a tile, we've had the floor 2 months. My laminate doesn't have a scratch and I've had it over 5 years. I wouldn't hesitate to put it in other rooms

We did the same thing, we put Pergo in our kitchen and it has done very well for us, and it was far from cheap. We did this bc we did not think hardwood would do well in our kitchen as much as I like hardwood. A little info also our neighbor redid his entire house in hardwood flooring, high end everything and cannot recoup what he put into it. Our village in our area is considered one of the best to live in also and this still happened to him. If u were selling 2 identical houses in the same price range, then that is another story.

 

[barkley]

another fan of carpet here.

i grew up with hardwoods and our first home had hardwoods-i hate them. i don't care how compulsivly someone keeps them up they still feel dirty to me and the flooring literaly feels cold (i know this because it seems like no matter what style flooring people have these days it's the common practice to have guests take their shoes off and despite being in homes where the hardwoods are kept up to adrian monk like cleaning standards my socks or my panty hose will still show a significant amount of dirt on the feet when i go to put my shoes back on).

another issue i've found with hardwoods vs. carpet or laminate is if you have arthritis in your legs or hips, those hardwoods can be unforgiving. the difference in my mobility when we carpeted over our hardwoods was like night and day-i saw the same thing with my mom when she moved from a home with hardwoods to a carpeted.

for those without allergy issues, if carpets are regularly vacuumed and cleaned they can stay in good shape just like any other flooring (we don't allow the kids to have food or drink on it so that helps allot). when my kids were little i liked that when they were crawling it was on a cushioned surface, when ds was a toddler i did'nt hear those dreaded 'clunks' if he toppled over (take a topple onto a carpet vs a hardwood and you will truly understand why they call that wood 'hard').


when i was a kid hardwoods were the norm in all homes-wall to wall carpeting was what our moms aspired to get. hardwoods have made a comeback but i have to wonder if a few years down the line they will fade from popularity and become something that people feel 'dates' a home (some of the granite and those all white kitchen cabinets that were very popular a few years back are in some areas of the country considered a very dated style that turns buyers off).


i had friend who wanted the look of hardwoods but also liked the feel of carpets (and she had kids and dogs she was afraid would cause issues with hardwoods), she came up with an idea i'de never seen before or since but i thought it was brilliant (and looked amazing). she had hardwoods installed in her entryway but only around the perimeter of her living room and family room. then she went to a carpet store and found 2 patterned carpets that went beautifuly with her furniture. she had the carpets installed in the center of the rooms such that it looked like she had stunning hardwoods with a large area rug. it cost her a fraction of what doing either full bore hardwoods or full bore carpeting would have, and she figured that if she changed her furniture at some point she could get a new peice of carpet for very little and update the entire look