Granite Counter tops...are they the 'only' acceptable surface now? (floor, sink)

[MAtoNC!]

What is making me scratch my head as a soon-to-be-buyer is how MANY of the resale homes I've reviewed on the internet have done NO updating, yet have listing prices that are just barely under new home list prices.

Nods! I've seen that quite a bit.

[smalltownusa]

Originally Posted by coltank

Actually, I prefer Quartz countertops, since they are not porous.

I prefer the non porous surfaces and we are having a new countertop installed next month. Found a gorgeous new line from Italy through Zodiaq that looks like marble.....lovely

[lamishra]

I think people need to consider as well what is considered "liveable" versus "luxury". To me, granite countier tops are more of a luxury upgrdade, not a "necessary" item to make a home liveable. With older homes, things that I would consider to be more important than counter tops are appliances in good working condition, the roof is new or well maintained, siding has been updated, the HVAC system has been updated, new windows have been installed to make the home energy efficient. Cosmetic updating is not usually considered as much when coming up with a selling price. We made an offer on a split level once that had never been updated since the 70's! The guy had maintained the home REALLY WELL, almost meticulously, but it still had the brown and orange carpets (with no stains, if you can believe that) and the original wall paper etc.
Anyway, we made him a low ball offer, knowing we would have to spend thousands getting it upgraded to something we would like, and he laughed us right off the block. He still sold his Brady Bunch house for exactly what he wanted!

[tigerlily]

Originally Posted by VickiR

However, I have noticed that more of our homes that were built in the 1980s and 1990s are selling well. I think its because so many people want an established lawn WITH trees.

Vicki

This is true. Most of the older homes we looked at in RDU also had larger lot along with mature trees.

[lovemaine]

We recently replaced our jade green laminate countertop with the High Definition laminate from Wilsonart. We absolutely love it. In our neighborhood laminate is the norm. Since we didn't want to over-improve and we're not planning on staying in this house forever, we went with the less expensive option. It's still laminate, but looks so much nicer than the builder-grade stuff in most homes around here.

[carolinadreamin]

We're not keen on granite and love our old-fashioned formica!

[DanielChang]

Originally Posted by carolinadreamin

We're not keen on granite and love our old-fashioned formica!

What is old can be new again! Some might believe that formica will make a comeback once people get tired of looking at granite.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by coltank

Actually, I prefer Quartz countertops, since they are not porous.

Quartz or "Silestone" , that is a brand name of these countertops is actually MORE expensive and the maintenance is MUCH lower than Granite.

Corian has its advantages too. It is warmer to the touch than Silestone or Granite and is slightly less expensive and it requires the least maintenance of all three.

I have all three. I have Granite in bathrooms where I notice staining and I have Corian and Quartz/"Silestone" (which has granite in it) in two kitchens.

I like the look of the Silestone best but like the feel and function of the Corian better.

[DanielChang]

Can you place hot pans/pots on Corian without a trivet? Can you with quartz or granite?

[BlueWillowPlate]

I put hot pans on granite all the time.
I have had granite countertops since '96 with no problems whatsoever and I don't understand all this talk about maintenance.
Sealing once a year is high maintenance?
OTOH
I don't think granite is the *only* countertop to consider, it's great to explore other materials.