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I posted this in the House forum but would like some comments from REAs as to the attitude of Corian counters by prospective buyers. We remodeled our kitchen, going down to the studs, moving some plumbing. We had custom hickory raised panel cabinets installed ( a very good price!) and tile backsplash, counter depth fridge, built-in look range and solid surface counters with white seamless sinks. We did this 12 years ago when granite was more expensive and I knew we didn't want formica AGAIN or tile. I had also seen some granite installations that were not prepped well and had stains. Also worried about cracks. I also thought, at the time, that our house was not that "high end". We still love the kitchen but I have wondered when we sell, is the "granite infatuation" going to be a hinderance to selling. Now, even more modest homes seem to have granite which is a change from 12 years ago. Thanks for the comments.
I'm not sure Corian was ever in style, it was just another alternative out there that some people love, and some don't. Granite is more mainstream, especially now.
If your house is otherwise turn-key, changing to granite might make a minor difference. I wouldn't do that. In general, buyers will want to put their stamp on their home, and changing out counter tops is a pretty easy one. And then there are those that love Corian.
Generally people are fine with it out here. They prefer it over tile since it is a solid surface. It isn't something I would tell a seller to rip out unless it was in bad shape. This really is more of a local question.
My part of the country granite is favored in everything ( kitchen and bathrooms ). I have two sets of younger second cousins who are looking to buy their first places. One is looking at small condos, the other at very small starter homes. Both are rejecting any home not remodeled without granite.
It's ridiculous of course. They can barely afford to buy but they want high end finishes. In speaking with them and their friends, they all think this is perfectly normal. They feel they need granite. Talk about being entitled. Sheesh !
I have another friend, a widow, putting her lovely, expensive home in the market. She's had three realtors over to give her a market analysis. All three have told her to replace her tiled counter tops with granite if she wants a good price and to sell in a decent amount of time. Not that it won't sell but it will be a consistent buyer objection.
Much I think depends on your market.
Last edited by willow wind; 06-22-2013 at 05:49 PM..
Granite has gotten more affordable so it is popular even with the homes that are not top of the line. Stone, stonelook kind of surfaces are very popular. Not so much corian. But I have a friend who loves it. She could have afforded anything and chose corian because she had it and other surfaces in the past and just preferred corian.
The tile backsplash is in depending on the type of tile.
Back to the countertops. Do yours run continuously? Or are there countertops on two separate sides of the kitchen? And do you have an island? It they are not all in a continuous line you could redo just some. Say just the top of the island. Or one side of the kitchen. In fact, that is popular now. Not only two different coutertops but two different cabinets, including color. It looks more like the European kitche with pieces of furniture. The island one style and color and the rest another. But you could just do countertops if it's possible.
Corian certainly beats tile since the grout is so hard to keep clean. Buyers prefer granite, but it really depends on your house, your market, and your price. Ask a local agent.
Granite has gotten more affordable so it is popular even with the homes that are not top of the line. Stone, stonelook kind of surfaces are very popular. Not so much corian. But I have a friend who loves it. She could have afforded anything and chose corian because she had it and other surfaces in the past and just preferred corian.
The tile backsplash is in depending on the type of tile.
Back to the countertops. Do yours run continuously? Or are there countertops on two separate sides of the kitchen? And do you have an island? It they are not all in a continuous line you could redo just some. Say just the top of the island. Or one side of the kitchen. In fact, that is popular now. Not only two different coutertops but two different cabinets, including color. It looks more like the European kitche with pieces of furniture. The island one style and color and the rest another. But you could just do countertops if it's possible.
Two different counter tops, two different style of cabinet in the same kitchen? No thanks!
Actually there is a trend in high end houses/condos in SW Florida for European Style counter tops. They are man made material in any type of style or color without the many downsides of granite. They also have those 'waterfall' edges. Look out below!
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