Considering granite countertops...WDYT?

rnfromtn

We have been trying to sell our condo for 2 years now.  One of the main complaints is that "the kitchen is so small."  It is a lower priced condo with 2 bdrooms, so I don't really know what people expect.  Anyway, whenever I watch HGTV and people look at smaller condos, with small kitchens, the countertops seem to draw their eyes away from the size of the kitchen.  The present countertop is a light blue laminate that I am not a big fan of.  The cabinets are middle of the road and oak.  Appliances are newer (1-4 years old)  and white.

Here is the granite I like, is this neutral enough?  Should I go for something a little more bold?

http://www.tileshop.com/naturalstone/granite/New-Venezia/686.aspx

Thanks in advance.  I really can't make up my mind.  Either way I want new counters, just trying to decide.

Santorini2011

This isn't answering your question but...If your condo has been up for 2 years, I would look at the comps and see if the price should be adjusted before replacing the countertops with granite. In some markets, the added expense of granite is not worth what you get at the sale.  I would also look at what sold in your neighborhood.  Did they have upgraded kitchens? How did they make their kitchens more desirable?  Some other options you might want to explore is Corian or a different pattern of laminate. I have seen granite-like laminates do the trick with apartment rehabs. HTH!

TheWop

I would replace the countertops with another laminate, don't waste your money on granite if you're trying to sell.  There are nice laminates out there that don't look cheap and cheesy.  I think all you need is something more neutral. 

And if you're set on granite, do a slab, not tiles.  To me granite tile says "we're cheap, and couldn't afford a slab" and would make me wonder what else you cut corners on, you know? 

rnfromtn

Santorini2011:

This isn't answering your question but...If your condo has been up for 2 years, I would look at the comps and see if the price should be adjusted before replacing the countertops with granite. In some markets, the added expense of granite is not worth what you get at the sale.  I would also look at what sold in your neighborhood.  Did they have upgraded kitchens? How did they make their kitchens more desirable?  Some other options you might want to explore is Corian or a different pattern of laminate. I have seen granite-like laminates do the trick with apartment rehabs. HTH!

We have lowered our price, in keeping with the falling market values.  Our condo is appropriately priced.  Most of the kitchens in the condos who have sold had middle of the road appliances, oak cabinets.

ky29

We were told not to put granite in when we remodeled our kitchen.  However, when we were shopping around at a granite place, they were able to use a set that was left over from a previous job because our kitchen was so small.  Maybe that's something to look into?  Because it ended up costing less than laminate!

rnfromtn

ky29:

We were told not to put granite in when we remodeled our kitchen.  However, when we were shopping around at a granite place, they were able to use a set that was left over from a previous job because our kitchen was so small.  Maybe that's something to look into?  Because it ended up costing less than laminate!

Thanks for the idea!  i will definitely look into it!

 

Ginger Le Coeur

TheWop:

I would replace the countertops with another laminate, don't waste your money on granite if you're trying to sell.  There are nice laminates out there that don't look cheap and cheesy.  I think all you need is something more neutral. 

And if you're set on granite, do a slab, not tiles.  To me granite tile says "we're cheap, and couldn't afford a slab" and would make me wonder what else you cut corners on, you know? 

this... I have a tiny kitchen and, to be honest, I loved the fact that it has dark granite, it was a selling point. In our neighborhood, granite is kind of expected, even in the smaller, starter homes like ours.

I looked at places that used granite tile and I was immediately turned off. As pp mentioned, it makes me think you are cutting corners. If your counters are a light blue laminate, then changing them out to a neutral laminate might be a great place to start. My old apt. had the imitation granite laminate and it always bugged me, I just felt it looked cheap.

Good luck.