Counter Tops In Homes For Sale? What Makes Buyers Smile??
#1 ON THE LIST OF DESIRABLE FEATURES???
There are so many things that determine value, to the market and to individual buyers, that
the material/condition of the counter top falls to a distant low on the priorities.
Location, price, overall condition, schools, transportation, shopping, etc. are so much more important.
YET, when a buyer walks into a home for sale, they will be amazed and quite pleased to see lovely granite counter tops.
We agents just can't deny the obvious. Fortunately, the price of granite has fallen dramatically over the past ten years.
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A granite counter top can be the defining factor in a home sale.
How many times have you heard a buyer exclaim, "Oh look, this home has a granite counter top!" and realized this is the magic stamp of approval you've been waiting for. If the kitchen has a granite counter top, this home may now leap to the top of your client's list, and perhaps even to the laptop so you can start writing an offer.
On the other hand, a laminate or Corian counter top may be enough for your client to rule out a home that has the right price, condition and location. HGTV fans see this occur daily, and most agents have experienced it when showing homes to prospective buyers.
WHOAA!
Let us just say this to our buyer clients: You can't judge a home by its counter top.
It may be time for real estate agents to provide a little guidance to their home buyer clients, and it begins with pointing out the factors you CAN control and those you can't.
Factors beyond your control: Location, lot size, school district, neighborhood, neighbors, commuting options, traffic, property taxes, and HOA/condo fees. What you see is what you get. You can't change these factors and, therefore, they should probably be higher on any buyer's priority list than those you can control.Factor within your control: Counter tops, flooring, cabinets, wall coverings, window coverings, appliances, major systems, fixtures, paint colors - and even the square footage of the home, if you're up to some remodeling. You may not want the investment of time or money that would be required to change some or all of these, but you CAN if you choose.
On the other hand, let's put on our listing agent hats for a moment... we may see this differently.
Any seller who is looking for a game-changer to help overcome undesirable factors beyond their control should consider installing a granite counter top. This feature may blind a prospective buyer to the fact that power lines are nearby, airplanes fly low over the property, or the back yard overlooks a busy road.
If buyers are going to judge a home by its counter top, granite may be the best investment a home seller can make!
The counter top may not be a defining issue for home buyers in every market across the country, but it often is in Crofton, Maryland, and other nearby communities where I list and sell homes.
Copyright 2006-13. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is subject to change without notice.
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About MARGARET WODA
Margaret Woda is a REALTOR® and Associate Broker with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. in the trinagle formed by DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis. (Read More)
Beyond real estate, Margaret is a grandma, mom, and military wife who enjoys volunteering as webmaster for the local garden club, organizing Operation Christmas to send holiday gift bags to deployed service members, and blogging at FocusOnCrofton.com.
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