Granite Countertops add value?

Profile picture for McclainTR
We just added granite countertops to a large kitchen and our baths. Did that add value?
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 03 2011 - Smithville
  • Be a Good Neighbor. Be respectful and on-topic. No spam or self-promotion! See our Good Neighbor Policy.

Answers (10)

Profile picture for kmelendez
IT MAKES THE HOUSE MORE APPEALING NOT NECESSARILY MORE VALUABLE.
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 04 2011
Profile picture for Mooersrealty
I have seen homes that as you enter the kitchen with a real estate buyer, there are ooohs and ahhhhs.  But if all the effort, razzle dazzle is in one or two spots, it is like luck. You want it spread around your life, in more than one nook and cranny. The entire home, property listing needs to be in balance, harmony and on the same page. "Pick up", enhance all the property to the same degree, like jacking up a home a little here, little there to get it level, back in its prime. Not just jacking for all you are worth in one area that breaks, cracks, destroys the structure.
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 04 2011
Profile picture for Carla Giordano
Anything to make your home desireable to potential buyers in this market when there is so much competition is a bonus. Kitchen renovations tend to be pricey but well worth it.  Most buyers that I have dealt with, especially first timers, do not want to deal with the inconvenience.  They also are unaware of what the cost would be, so when they write an offer, it tends to be much lower to compensate for a guestimate of what granite might run.
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 03 2011
Keep in mind that today's "must have" granite counter is tomorrow's shag carpet. If you're selling now, I'd say granite is a great option if you're replacing something old, scarred or unattractive. One option, though, is to save the cost of counter replacement and put your house on the market to sell as-is WITH new countertops of the buyer's choice thrown in. The buyer will love choosing what they prefer and you won't run the risk of making a costly improvement that doesn't pay off. And if you're not selling your home anytime soon, either leave the house as-is or choose a countertop you love. Worry about resale value when the time comes to sell. There may be some new countertop trend in effect by that time!
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 03 2011
Profile picture for Derek_Zasaretti
Kitchens and Bath updates appeal to a wider audience of buyers. The countertops would probably help your house sell before a comparable without them. It's like car shopping, 1 car has a sunroof and the other doesn't. You wouldn't want to pay $3000 extra for it.
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 03 2011
Profile picture for Pasadenan
I should have added;... But I guess that depends on what you replaced.  If they were in extremely bad condition, the old counters may have subtracted as much as $20k for what you could have sold the house for, or even kept in on the market for extended periods of time.  In which case, you may not have "added" value, but you may have kept the old counters from "subtracting" value.

By the way, I'm not at all fond of the polyurethane with solvents used to seal the counters.  I'm fine with polyurethane on deck floors, and some cabinet work; I just don't want it on my counters.

Nor do I want any of that radioactive granite that so many people were selling and installing.
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 03 2011
Profile picture for SoCal_Engr
The infamous "maybe".

By "value" I am assuming you are talking increasing the eventual sale price of the house.

As with any other improvements or upgrades, it is rare to get a dollar-for-dollar return. Exactly how much return you will realize is based on the type of improvement/upgrade, as well as the general pricing in your locale.

Adding square footage is more likely to add to the eventual sale price. Upgrading finishes may make a house easier to move, but it may not affect the sale price as much. At some point, the local market is going to set caps on actual sale prices.
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 03 2011
Typically adding them adds value, but not typically dollar-for-dollar. Updating kitchens and bathrooms are the best places to recover/increase value and create an emotional response from would-be buyers.
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 03 2011
Profile picture for Pasadenan
Not if I'm buying.... I'd insist they be ripped out and replaced.
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 03 2011
Profile picture for TRS Designs
Yes!
  Flag content
Close
Report a Problem

Please enter a valid email address.

Close
Content flagged

We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.

Close
We're Sorry
This service is temporarily unavailable. Please come back later and try again.
September 03 2011
 

Have a question? Ask it here.

What's this?
Close

By starting a discussion, you can expect more of an interactive, back-and-forth experience where the conversation can go in many different directions.

Or start a discussion

E-mail successfully sent!Submission failed!

Related Questions
Profile picture for Mark Gipple
QuestionAdding a fourth bedroom?
  • Latest answer by Mark Gipple
  • September 27 2011
Profile picture for Kim Melendez
QuestionGranite Countertops add value?
  • Latest answer by Kim Melendez
  • September 04 2011
Related Articles
GuideHow to Find a Contractor
GuideHome Improvement Loans
GuideWhy involve an architect?
Be A Good Neighbor

Zillow® Advice depends on each member to keep it a safe, fun, and positive place. If you see abuse, flag it. More on our Good Neighbor Policy