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Take My Advice I'm Not Using It - Part Two

By
Real Estate Agent with EXP Realty Canada Inc. NSREC# 9421

I have to confess that my upbringing in a time of restraint and reasonable expectations of a standard of living influences my point of view.  I didn't grow up with highend products in a home nor did any of my friends.  I happen to know as well that we were the majority that didn't live in homes that look like they should be in a magazine. So here's another confession... I prefer carpet.

What's the problem with carpet? I've researched carpets because of allergy sensitivities. I found that carpets keep the dust from being air born unlike hardwood or ceramic floors. Doesn't that make sense? Vacuum regularly with a central vac, vacuum cleaner with a hepa filter or a Dyson and voila, no airborne dust particles and minimized dust mites. Am I crazy or does anyone remember the soft feel beneath their feet, warmth during cold winters, no fear from slips and falls and preventing breakables to, well, break. There is such a variety of carpet products available today that it's quite possible every concern is addressed. Give yourself a little time to go into your local supplier and get re-educated on carpet because above all else the price of carpet and installation is far less than hardwood floors.

So if you're in that dilemma of having to update your flooring and can't afford hardwood floors, my confession? For a busy family home with young children, I'd choose today's laminate or carpet over hardwood any day

Terry McCarley
Coastal Real Estate - Cape Coral FL - Cape Coral, FL
REALTOR, SRES, CDPE - Cape Coral, FL

Tina - I tiled my entire house due to allergies and I find it very easy to keep clean.  I must admit I do miss the comfortable feel of carpet.

Dec 16, 2010 05:54 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I live in house with hardwood flooring and my husband's family oriental carpets over top.....I have the carpets cleaned every 2 years and they come back looking brighter so I know they are clean!

Dec 16, 2010 05:55 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Tina, carpeting is much softer. The problem is that some sellers don't take care of it and it becomes an eyesore. Putting it in a bathroom or kitchen is a definite no no. I can still remember my son dropping a dozen eggs on the one in our kitchen. I got rid of it quickly!

Dec 16, 2010 06:05 AM
Tina Parker
EXP Realty Canada Inc. - Halifax, NS
Managing Associate Broker

Terry, I would miss my carpets especially in my bedroom.

Wallace, oriental carpets are a good compromise, I agree.  But what would you do if you had to update your flooring?  It's a tough call to advise a client when they can't afford hardwood wouldn't you say?

Janice, OMG!  I would never, ever put carpet in a bathroom or kitchen, first, yuck, second... just yuck. LOL.  I know buyers prefer what they prefer but I wonder if it would matter as much in their next home. Hmm...

Dec 16, 2010 06:14 AM
Robin Dampier REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

After purchasing a carpet cleaner and using it on year old carpeting I can say that when it comes time to replace it (it'll probably never wear out while I'm still alive as it is top of the line to help combat having 2 dogs!) it will not be replaced with carpeting.

I couldn't believe how many buckets of black water were toted and dumped down the toilet!  I thought I'd wear out the flusher.  Now granted I live adjacent to the woods so a lot of outside gets carried in.  But, I'd prefer to see the dirt and clean it up as it occurs.  Fortunately we're all different in our likes and dislikes or how boring it would be.

Sue of Robin and Sue

Dec 16, 2010 06:41 AM
Tina Parker
EXP Realty Canada Inc. - Halifax, NS
Managing Associate Broker

Good heavens, two dogs, that's a lot of work. I think in your situation I would agree.  How would your hardwood floors hold up?

Dec 16, 2010 06:49 AM
Reba Haas
Team Reba of RE/MAX Metro Eastside www.TeamReba.com - Bellevue, WA
Team Reba, CDPE

I've got 7 pets (3 dogs and 4 cats) and I need hardwoods for my allergies to be kept in check with this many pets (I'm allergic to 3 of them) but I use rugs to keep the place feeling and looking warmer. Plus, my older pets need the comfort of it too when they lie down.

Dec 16, 2010 10:58 AM