{"id":6350,"date":"2022-07-24T07:21:54","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T14:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=6350"},"modified":"2024-11-22T07:48:55","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T15:48:55","slug":"will-granite-countertops-increase-home-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/will-granite-countertops-increase-home-value\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Granite Countertops Increase Home Value? What Buyers Want in Today\u2019s Market"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThe money is in the kitchen. Everybody wants granite countertops,\u201d says Marie Collins<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She would know. She\u2019s sold over 72% more single-family homes than the average real estate agent in St. Cloud, Florida<\/a>, making her an expert in what buyers are looking for.<\/p>\n

Granite has come a long way. Once reserved for magnificent civic buildings such as the Statue of Liberty<\/a> and the Pantheon in ancient Rome<\/a>, by the 1980s granite became a favorite material for use as kitchen countertops. And these days, granite\u2019s increased availability and affordability has made this material an option for many people, not just the elite.<\/p>\n

Will installing this gorgeous igneous rock<\/a> increase your home\u2019s value<\/a> and bring in more buyers? Collins explains that it\u2019s not a simple \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d decision for homeowners.<\/p>\n

With Collins\u2019 expert advice and market research on buyer preferences, we\u2019ll help you decide: Will granite countertops increase home value in your market?<\/p>\n

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Cost versus value: Are granite countertops worth it?<\/h2>\n

Granite countertops vary between about $40 per square for lower-grade granite and $100 per square foot for higher-grade granite, plus installation costs. The grade of the granite refers to the veins, markings, thickness, and other factors that characterize the quality of the stone.<\/p>\n

The national average to purchase and install granite countertops is $3,250<\/a>, according to HomeAdvisor, which can be over 10% of the cost of a full kitchen remodel<\/a>, which stacks up to an average of $25,656<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re considering remodeling just to sell, consider this: according to the 2022 Remodeling Impact Report by the National Association of Realtors\u00ae, only 13% of Realtors<\/a> recommend a complete kitchen renovation when selling is the objective, while 30% of Realtors\u00ae suggest sellers complete at least some kitchen upgrade<\/a> before attempting to sell their home.<\/p>\n

So upgrading your countertops to granite or comparable materials could be all you need to increase your home\u2019s value and enhance its position on the market. Just make sure your new countertops match the rest of your kitchen and there aren\u2019t any major design or functionality issues, because one expensive update won\u2019t change the fact that your kitchen needs work and buyers won\u2019t be willing to offer more for it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI typically don\u2019t suggest a seller to spend a large amount of money in order to sell their home,\u201d Collins said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to depend on the comparable homes in the neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

If every other active listing in your area has granite countertops, it can be a wise choice to add granite countertops before you put your house on the market. But if comparable homes don\u2019t have granite countertops, the cost of adding them likely won\u2019t recover as easily, so inquire about this to your real estate agent.<\/p>\n

Then ask your real estate agent about the buyers in your area. Are they looking for customizable fixer-uppers<\/a> or turnkey homes<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Some buyers prefer to choose their own materials when moving into a new home, so brand new granite countertops won\u2019t push them towards making an offer, whereas buyers looking for move-in ready homes<\/a> are willing to pay a bit more for upgrades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Top Agents Know What Sells Homes<\/h3>\n

If you’re looking to sell but think your home may need some upgrades here and there, work with a top agent to help identify which projects to prioritize. According to HomeLight data, top agents sell homes faster and for more money and bring more experience to the table than average agents.<\/p>\n \n

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Granite countertop trends<\/h2>\n

Stone countertops weren\u2019t always the focal point of kitchens. Through the 1970s, laminate counters were the choice for American homeowners.<\/p>\n

Open-concept floor plans<\/a> have been partially to thank for the emergence of countertops as an aesthetic feature over the past 30 years or so. According to GraniteSelection.com, granite officially hit the scene in the 1980s when legendary graphic designer Deborah Sussman<\/a> remodeled a kitchen with granite countertops, and the New York Times described the style as \u201cdown-to-earth.\u201d<\/p>\n

In no time, countertops then began to evolve from a mere fundamental kitchen surface to a sweeping design staple indicative of style and wealth.<\/p>\n

But, in the 1990s, more countries began to quarry, refine, cut, and ship granite to sell in America for a lower price. With increased production, higher volumes, and lower costs, granite countertops quickly became the must-have trend throughout the 2000s.<\/p>\n

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Granite\u2019s many options<\/h2>\n

When it comes to granite, you have options galore. From the colors to the texture, it all depends on your particular needs and kitchen design, such as your cabinets<\/a>, backsplash and floor style<\/a>. With choices like dark gray<\/a> or black<\/a> to emerald green<\/a> to white ice<\/a>, granite colors and patterns can range from subtle and soft to bold and dramatic. And since granite is naturally occurring, it has a unique look.<\/p>\n

If you want your granite countertops to increase home value, many homeowners and interior designers feel that a shiny, polished finish is the best route to go. Polish makes the stone pop, and it\u2019s the least porous finish, making it easier to clean and maintain. But nowadays there are now other granite design trends that have their own unique benefits and are getting a foothold in 2022:<\/p>\n

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Honed and matte finishes<\/h3>\n

Breaking away from the typical shiny go-to nature of granite countertops, 2022 is seeing a trend that departs from shine with honed, matte finishes<\/a> growing in popularity. But when you keep in mind that this type of finish requires more specific and consistent maintenance.<\/p>\n

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Darker and leathered designs<\/h3>\n

Similar to the honed and matte finish, leathered granite<\/a> lacks sheen as well, but it is a more textured and rough surface. Though leathered granite is available in other shades like white and gray, the leathered finish is most popular in darker colors like black, which do an excellent job of concealing dirt. The drama and contrasting nature of darker colors seems to be a hit these days too, depending on your kitchen\u2019s overall theme.<\/p>\n

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Neutral tones<\/h3>\n

Neutral tones add warmth, never go out of style and can easily match the rest of your kitchen as long as they don\u2019t depart from the overall color scheme. From beiges<\/a>, to creams<\/a> to soft greens<\/a> and blues<\/a> you have many options. Neutral tones are also likely to appeal to more buyers<\/a> and increase the potential ROI when you sell your home.<\/p>\n

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Veins and patterns<\/h3>\n

There has also been a recent departure from more solid and consistent designs in countertops, in favor of granite\u2019s naturally occurring patterns, veins, flecks of color and mineral deposits. These random elements add personality and can give your kitchen the oomph it needs to appeal to buyers.<\/p>\n

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Granite countertop alternatives<\/h2>\n

While granite is nowhere close to going out of style<\/a>, there are some other options that could potentially be a better fit for your home:<\/p>\n

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Quartz, an emerging luxury countertop<\/h3>\n

When you are looking to increase home value, some consider quartz countertops<\/a> to be a step up from granite in terms of luxury. Unlike one-hundred percent natural granite, quartz is an engineered and synthetic material, made up of 90 percent ground natural quartz mineral and 10 percent polyresin<\/a>. Both granite and quartz are popular for their heat, stain, scratch and chip-resistant features.<\/p>\n

Quartz is easier to maintain because it is less porous than granite and does not require regular sealing. Because quartz is engineered, it has a more consistent color and pattern, though many like the more random and unique design of granite, because no two granite slabs are exactly alike.<\/p>\n

According to HomeAdvisor, the costs for quartz countertops ranges between $50 to $200<\/a> per square foot to install. For a standard kitchen, the whole project is likely to cost anywhere between $3,000 and $7,500, but installing quartz in a high-end kitchen can have a cost closer to $12,000.<\/p>\n

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Butcher block, a cheaper but trendy countertop option for 2022<\/h3>\n

Butcher block<\/a> tends to be less expensive than granite, but can also increase home value. This countertop material is made of wood so it also has a variety of unique styles and patterns to choose from.<\/p>\n

According to Fixr, a butcher\u2019s block countertop itself will cost between $1,050 and $1,500<\/a>, and the entire project altogether will be between $1,320 and $1,820.<\/p>\n

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Maximize ROI with these 3 tips for selecting and installing granite countertops<\/h2>\n

Granite countertops come in different widths, colors, patterns, and finishes. Choose the right one to secure the maximum return on investment when you sell your house. Remember these 3 tips to ensure your granite countertops will increase home value:<\/p>\n

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Select the slab in person to confirm the pattern and colors<\/h3>\n

\u201cGranite is a natural stone and each piece is unique, so it\u2019s important to see the slabs that you are selecting in person and be happy with how they appear,\u201d says Katie Peralta, the president of one of the largest importers of natural stone and other building products in the country, Tritan Stone Group<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She adds, \u201cYou want the slabs to be free of any defects and make sure that the movement that the natural stone has is what you are looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many times, the slab you see in a showroom isn\u2019t the same one that\u2019ll be delivered to your house. Request to approve the exact slab before it\u2019s delivered so you know exactly what you\u2019re getting.<\/p>\n

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Pick 3-cm thick slabs for aesthetic appeal<\/h3>\n

Stone slabs come in different thicknesses \u2014 typically 2 centimeters, 3 centimeters, or even up to 5 centimeters. The thickness is chosen based on the particular room and purpose for which the granite is being used.<\/p>\n

The most common choice (and our recommendation) for a kitchen countertop is to go with a 3-centimeter slab because it:<\/p>\n