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

[Gurl]

Whenever I watch HGTV, people always comment negatively if a kitchen doesn't have granite. No matter what the price point of the home, 'granite' seems to be all that matters.

Is this and HGTV thing, or does granite really matter that much? If you're selling a home do you 'have' to have granite to get a good price?

[coltank]

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

[MAtoNC!]

In the Triangle listings 200k-330k all I see is WHITE laminite builder's grade. UGH! About 5-10% of the listings probably have granite. I like Silestone. Some of the homes I have looked at are 10-20 years and I'm surprised to see the builder's countertops and all those builders brass lighting fixtures. Im surprised to see that some more custom updates weren't made. Even if it's another color of laminate. The high-def laminate is a lot better than white! It's come a long way.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by Gurl

Whenever I watch HGTV, people always comment negatively if a kitchen doesn't have granite. No matter what the price point of the home, 'granite' seems to be all that matters.

Is this and HGTV thing, or does granite really matter that much? If you're selling a home do you 'have' to have granite to get a good price?

Sometimes I think it is a HGTV thing. Sure at certain price points I would expect to see upgraded counter tops, but I know some people prefer things like soapstone instead granite.

I would not expect to see granit countertops in homes at my price range. Again, I think it is a buzz word kind of thing much like the stainless steel appliance craze (again not in my price range!)

[MikeJaquish]

There are homes out there that say "granite," and are really Silestone, or other quartz.
Quartz is better than cheap granite, IMO.

I have seen concrete, but that can be messy looking if done wrong.

[VickiR]

For a very long time, we only saw granite in homes that were priced up in the $500s. Then it seemed to drop to the $400s. Now I see granite in homes around $200s. The less expensive homes used to have much more laminate instead of quartz or Corian, which seemed to be a huge hit years ago. Its all what the designers tell us we want!!!

As for laminate and brass light fixtures, those were the norm in the 80s and 90s.

Trends. They come and they'll go and then the cycle will begin all over again!

Vicki

[findingmesomeday]

Countertops are easily replaced. I wouldn't let that turn me off of a home.

[VickiR]

Originally Posted by NChomesomeday

Countertops are easily replaced. I wouldn't let that turn me off of a home.

I agree. However, if you were buying a $500,000 house, you'd EXPECT to see granite. You may feel that if the builder didn't use high grade material on the countertop, what else did he skimp on that you can't see?

Different buyers, different perspectives.

Vicki

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by NChomesomeday

Countertops are easily replaced. I wouldn't let that turn me off of a home.

Technically, I agree.
But when the Buyer is working with limited cash, and that $250,000 home needs $4,000 to upgrade the tops, it is easier sometimes to consider looking elsewhere.

[findingmesomeday]

Oh, I see your point, Vicki. I guess I was thinking from my perspective. We're not into new construction. I'd rather have a house with good "bones" and update where needed. But that's just me.