Trod, First of all, welcome to the real estate boards!
I usually don't vote in polls because there are too many variables involved. And, in this case, have to say that, personally, I don't need or want granite counter tops (just not my thing) but it really does depend on your market. Do all of the other houses on the market in your area have them? Or is it simply something that has been drummed into your mind by the many TV shows ....
Bottom line, you say you can't afford them so forget about them. Instead, concentrate on cleaning, cleaning, scrubbing and then cleaning some more ~ that's what sells houses! That and de-cluttering along with a little staging! Post back if you want more suggestions!
I totally agree with what Idaho Resident said. Also, for me personally as a buyer, I wouldn't care if the kitchen had granite or not if I liked the house.
Hi thank you for your reply. All of the homes in our price bracket and size home have granite so buyers don't want to have to spend an additional $20k to renovate. The other fad we are seeing from buyers is the demand for hardwood flooring on the second floor in the bedrooms and hallway.
What do you mean by staging? This is the first home I am selling I have the due cluttering part done. Thanks again!
Thanka. Our house goes back on the market in the spring to give us time to paint and there will be a larger buying pool. Many people liked our home but didn't like the kitchen.
Going 'back on the market'? So you have tried to sell it before? What did your agent have to say about the house? Did he think it was in showing condition or that you needed to do work?
Posts: 5968 | Location: North MN & Northern AR | Registered: Oct 01, 2002
The agent recommended granite. Yes we had it on the market from sept to dec. he said we needed to paint remove wallpaper from one room and put new carpets or hardwood on the second floor. We can't afford to do an trying but paint because I am on disability and $'is very tight. My husband works long hours so he doesn't have much time. Everyone that looked said it was in their top 3. My husband said if we charged up our Home Depot card we wouldn't get the $ Back and the agent agreed so we lowered the price but every potential buyer hates the kitchen. I am at a loss at this point.
give it a face lift like painting the cabinets changing out hardware new sink and new faucet and new lighting fixtures a declutter may help .High composit countertops might work .Even newer appliances add to the look
Price solves a lot of issues. So, if comparable homes in your price point have granite counters, you obviously can't expect to get the same amount of money for your home without having granite. Likewise, if the "comparables" have hardwood, adjust your price lower to reflect that your house doesn't.
As Metwo suggested, please post a link to photos of your house so we can give you more targeted advise on how to get it sold.
Personally, I simply have never liked granite, so for me, it would be a turn off to see that cheap granite that many houses put today. Perhaps the granite situation is not what detered your home from selling you mentioned that it needs painting,decluttering, how about the floors. do they need a new carpet? changing little things that will make your home more appealing rather than putting tons of money on a home that you are leaving, It is known that when you buy a house, you will come in and do a lot of decorating and changing. Plunking down 15k in a house that you are leaving doesn't make sense to me. Unless the house is a wreck, and then selling as is and taking down the price. is an option.
Posts: 4634 | Location: 0 | Registered: May 31, 2007
We just put in a new dishwasher and fridge stainless steel. The cabinets are the cheep white ones from Home Depot. We also put in a new faucet. I will post pics of the kitchen. We did significantly lower the price of the house from $411 to $375 which our realtor thinks is fair. He said a lot of buyers are looking for kitchens with granite and islands which we don't have. My husband isn't sure the existing cabinets could hold the weight of granite. Pics to come
some cheap cabinet boxes have to be reinforced .You can get the overlay granite that you have to put plywood under it to support it but it is more expensive than granite slab .Alot of people want composite counter tops because they are anti microbial and do not harbor bacteria and if realtor tells people less upkeep and the benefits it may help .They are not cheap either and some are considered green .That could be a benefit also .Recycle is a key word these days and green also and energy saving .
I think a well laid out and CLEAN, clutter free kitchen is going to sell, with or without granite. That is an extra that any new owners can easily change out, and they may want different cabinets, so I think it is a non issue too.
Plus I have seen granite that I liked, and some that I did not like, based on the color/pattern of the stone. Don't gamble with your money, is also my suggestion.
I think getting the stainless steel appliances was a better idea than doing the granite. It's difficult to gauge which granite the buyers would want, since there are so many colors and patterns, edge choices and thickness sizes.
If you can't afford the granite (or whatever else your competitors have), then price reduction and a spotless and non-cluttered house is the way to go.... I don't know what 411 - 375 means, since I don't know your market. What are the prices of the comps in your neighborhood - the ones that actually sold? If you have a similar house that has granite and hardwoods, and it sold for 375, then your house is probably priced too high. If that house sold for 430, then 375 is probably the right price.... Do you have pictures or an MLS listing? There are some AMAZING stagers on this website...
Two points that sell --- clean clean clean.. and ..light and bright. Give us your mls # if you'd like and we can look up the listing pictures for additional advice here. Do only what is affordable. Wallpaper is easy to remove if you use vineger and water 50/50 in spray bottle. Score x's with a razor knife..then spray after waiting about 20 minutes. Do walls in sections. Just some thoughts.
