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In response to several different threads running....
Except on TV I have never seen a granite counter. On TV they look dark, glossy, and industrial. I think they're awful. I've never had one, I've never seen one, and I have no hankering for granite anything. Why is this such an important element for homes all of a sudden that people can't live without them? I'm totally in the dark. I don't get it.
I've owned several homes. I've lived with numerous countertops. I've never cared a whit about any of them. I have a countertop in the kitchen right now. It's grey something. I dunno. It's usually so buried under junk and mail and dishes that most of it is hidden anyway.....
I watch HGTV all the time, I find it absolutely fascinating. When did people become so obsessed with tile and countertops and sinks and floor treatments? How did I get through nearly six decades of life without caring about these things? When did this stuff become the most important aspect of going home after work every day?
The best thing about HGTV is that gorgeous guy who remodels basements. He can ring my doorbell anytime. I don't care what he's wearing.
I chose Corian over granite when we built this home for a number of reasons. one was upkeep and repair, and the other was that I wanted something more traditional that was probably not going to be completely dated in 20 years. I also had concerns about radon.
I've seen a lot of granite in homes both old and new. In upscale homes you can't put in laminate, it looks cheesey and as out of place as a $50K kitchen would in a mobile home.
And BTW--I can see my counter. Right now the only things on it are a toaster, teapot, canisters, knife block, and Kitchen Aid Mixer covered and pushed back in a deep corner. I can't imagine living in such clutter and mess that every inch of it is covered. No offense, but yuck!
I care about my home and how it looks. I like to live in a clean, uncluttered, organized house that is aesthetically appealing. I like my home to feel like a high-end spa, a true sanctuary.
Even I, who complains that buyer's cannot see through other people's furnishings and paint & who remembers when a fixer upper meant polishing, shining & maybe mechanicals ... instead of a house with an early 1990s kitchen ... has fallen victim to HGTV brainwashing.
Sigh.
I just had a listing appointment. Adorable house - young decorating style, great curb appeal, super price point for our area - I'm thinking it will sell super quick because it screams HGTV.
Until I saw the kitchen.
Horror of horrors they had WHITE appliances.
I can't believe, that #1, I was semi-shocked and disappointed by NEW white appliances. And #2, I know that that is EXACTLY how buyers will feel during showings.
Why is this such an important element for homes all of a sudden that people can't live without them? I'm totally in the dark. I don't get it.
It's called a fad.
Like wood paneling in the 60's. Shag carpet in the 70's. All white in the 80's. That stuff is going to scream "dated" in about 10-15 years. Hopefully by then only a few people will be left who "can't live" without a certain fashion counter top. My gut is we'll have more important priorities by then.
For a start or modest home white appliances wouldn't bother me--my start home had one white, one black, and one ivory, LOL!
But for someone in a trade-up or upscale home, I can see white being a detriment. I can't imagine having white appliances next to my solid wood cherry cabinets.
For a start or modest home white appliances wouldn't bother me--my start home had one white, one black, and one ivory, LOL!
But for someone in a trade-up or upscale home, I can see white being a detriment. I can't imagine having white appliances next to my solid wood cherry cabinets.
You'd be surprised.
In my experience, it's the first time home buyers who are HORRIFIED to see non-stainless appliances.
It's really bizarre sometimes - especially when we're looking at homes $125K and under.
In my experience, it's the first time home buyers who are HORRIFIED to see non-stainless appliances.
It's really bizarre sometimes - especially when we're looking at homes $125K and under.
One of the most expensive tendencies of buyers is to have expectations built by hours in front of TV.
Stainless, granite, staging, paint colors, and on and on.
Buyers require Sellers to do the stuff that gets "Top Dollar," when it is typically more affordable to install stuff that the individual wants.
It is oddly ironic to see buyers being Wow'ed by paint schemes that do not work with their belongings, and after paying a premium for the updated home then painting most of the interior, after rejecting homes that don't have fresh paint.
Granite is natural stone. It is available in an infinite variety variety of colors and styles. Like anything else there are some timeless palates and some so personal that they appeal to almost no one.
Believe there are some homes, especially those that were thoughtfully built by those with an eye for value, that will never look dated. Sometimes these are the more modestly priced / sized homes in "upper end" area as the "top of the line" places tend to use more cutting edge choices that go out of favor while the lower priced stuff just does not hold up.
There are many people that treat tile and countertops and sinks as "easy updates" and in fact a home that has nicely done upgrades in these areas will sell much more quickly and for a better price. It is a far more cost effective remodel than ripping out every cabinet and appliance and starting from scratch, though if your kitchen is terrible worn and needs "all new" that should be considered to REQUIRE a choice of quality materials of current style. Corian and other solid surface materials can hold their own at certain price points with natural stone, but at certain price points it is a MUST.
It is oddly ironic to see buyers being Wow'ed by paint schemes that do not work with their belongings, and after paying a premium for the updated home then painting most of the interior, after rejecting homes that don't have fresh paint.
I call these "trickery" houses. You know, the ones with wood (or wood laminate) floors, white trim, beige walls w/ black framed prints, stainless appliances & Pottery Barn/Ikea decor.
They'll trick a new buyer 9 times out of 10 and they'll fall in love. Even if the trickery house has a bad furnace, leaky roof and knob & tube wiring ... show them an HGTV decorated home and they're a goner. And trying to explain the value in an outdated decor home with new mechanicals is like banging my head against a wall.
I too always wonder what the heck they're going to do when they move in to that house - and discover that the sellers took their furniture and left them with a bazillion nail holes on that lovely carmel colored paint.
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Great post, funny how caught up we can get in silly things.
