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I have spoken with 2 realtors so far and have different opinions and timelines from each. I'm going to look for a third opinion but wanted to ask here for actual seller/buyer opinions.
We are in the midwest in an established neighborhood built in 80s. Mature trees, near a lake, very close to shops and there is lots of variety in home styles. We are in the oldest, smallest section with 2100 ft above, another 900 ft finished basement.
Our floors are laminate wood, luxury vinyl tile in kitchen and vinyl wood in basement. One realtor wants us to take out the tan/white/gray granite look laminate kitchen counter, about a $4k job, and keep the tile backsplash. He think we need granite or quartz. Many homes have granite and hardwoods in the neighborhood.
Another suggestion was to paint the whole house a taupe color to make the white trim and crown pop. Right now the main floor rooms are soft gray/blue or very pale green-gray.
We can pick and choose what to do and want to make informed choices. We hesitate on the counters mainly because it's hard to predict what someone else might want. I assume we will sell to a young family who want into the neighborhood and schools.
I know it's hard to comment on different markets and areas but curious how others are either getting ready to sell or what is a big turn off as a buyer. Thanks for any suggestions and advice!
I would do neither. If your home is well maintained, granite and new paint are not worth the investment. Now days I know people who want only quartz counters so, why invest money when you can only guess what prospective buyers will like?
Location: Sarasota/ Bradenton - University Pkwy area
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Years ago I would have agreed with some of the other agents suggesting you leave your home unchanged if it's clean and functional.
But younger buyers now don't necessarily have the vision to see what your home could be with a paint color change and lots of them want move in ready homes -- meaning they will not want to change out your kitchen counters.
So the agent that made those suggestions is giving you good advice to improve your chances of attracting the most number of buyers when you actually list your home for sale.
The problem with counters is that people have specific taste. So what I would do is leave out three neutral samples of say quartz, and let the new buyer pick their color with an acceptable offer. Out here buyers like that, and then you aren't putting in something that people don't want. It makes you seem like reasonable sellers who want the new home buyers to be happy in the home.
If your paint colors are relatively neutral and on the lighter side, I wouldn't paint them taupe. Taupe is a darker color, and yes it makes white trim pop, but I find it too dark for most people's taste.
Unless you'd expect multiple offers the first day because demand >>>> supply, then I'd go with Silverfall's suggestion. It opens you up to paying the same amount in closing costs (instead of actually replacing the counters) that you may not have had to, but it should keep any buyers interested and not scared off even by the benign act of replacing counters.
Make sure the house is clean, uncluttered, and smells good. Paint any weird or very dark colored rooms. Groom the front yard well and make sure the curb appeal is nice. Fix anything damaged or peeling. That's it. Let the new owenr pick their own new counter tops. You will likely pick something that a potential buyer might not like, and then that becomes a negative. Why waste your money on something they have a 50/50 chance of tearing out?
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