Buying A Home
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Does House Hunters have a deal with granite producers?
I've been getting hooked on House Hunters but it seems like every other episode, there is an obession with granite countertops? I think they look nice but we didn't even think about them when we bought. Some of these people seem to want to write off a house just because it doesn't have them. Are they really that special?
~2012 Races~
American Birkenbeiner - 50K Ski 3:19:00
Davenport St. Patrick's Day Fun Run - 5K 21:58
UIVA Warrior Challenge - 5K 22:06
Iowa City River Run - 10K 44:37 PR!
Green Bay Marathon 5/20/12
Re: Does House Hunters have a deal with granite producers?
I think "granite countertops" is just a new buzz-word for real estate. Like somehow a house is more valuable because it has granite.
Sorry, but I'd rather pay a mortgage on a house that has Formica counters and contractor grade carpet. I rather finance the installation of my choice of hardwood floors and stone countertops later on for <5 years... not 30 years.
Besides, granite is a PITA to keep up with. I'll keep my schitty Corian. I can use any cleaner I want and it doesn't need to be polished.
http://pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi#general
I think there have been posts on D&R or I've read that the shows are staged. Someone who was on the show wrote a post or a blog. They were each given "things" that they were to talk about hating or things they couldn't live without. So I think it's mostly the producers that make the homebuyers say those things. Plus- with editing I'm sure it's more annoying than it would really be.
At the time the show is taped, the buyers have already purchased one of the homes and are just seeing two random homes.
People have to already be under contract prior to being on the program. THey find 2 other homes within a reasonable range and have a script to make the program.
People on the program are often crazy in their comments - hate the color ---um paint is cheap etc. Granite is/was the "in" thing, but is moving on. I am not a fan of granite.
I agree that they need to point out things since they are on tv and have already made a choice. They need to make some comments, and that is the obvious one to make.
However, I don't get your comment on granite bring a PITA. Say what? Granite is maintenance free. Or at least it should be.
Dunno. I don't have it. Just regurgitating a gripe that I hear often.
My dad's wife is always complaining how she has to use some polish on it and she can't use her normal cleaners because they're too abraisive or something.
http://pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi#general
How is granite a pain to keep up with? I had it in my old house and my new one; I love it. You can cut on it, put hot pots and pans on it - it's a great countertop material. I just clean mine with a sponge at night like I'd wipe up a table - we eat dinner at our granite island every night, and it's great.
Mine has not been sealed since we moved in. I clean it with warm soapy water. I cut on it. I put hot pans on it. It is fantastic.
I can use any multi-purpose cleaner I want really but I generally just use method. I have never had to 'seal' a counter top but I do use method granite cleaner from time to time.
I'm not wiping them anymore than I would wipe any other counter top. I cut on mine, I place hot baking pans - they take a beating and keep on looking amazing.
Back to OP ... stone counters are becoming or have become in most markets a staple instead of an 'upgrade'. So if a house in many markets do not have stone counter tops they are considered not up to par. But perhaps this depends on the market and price point.
Regarding whether you buy a house with 'builder grade' instead of 'upgrade' items (well some of this depends on your builder's grade ... our builder would not put cheap stuff in his homes because he is known for high quality homes and they appraise accordingly) ... but ... here is something to think about. For example: our bar counter top will cost 1,300 for laminate countertop (it is 2 tier) and 2k for granite (using orphan/reminent pieces from the stone yard). So I can pay 2k now and have stone that will last much longer than 5 years or pay a combined price of 3300 to switch it out in five years. The same goes for carpeting. For me and my preferences, it is not MM or worth my time/money to put in something 'cheap' and then replace it later. You often get what you pay for.
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Thinking of doing cosmetic updates to a dated home? These were our costs.
Well, yeah. If you're having a house custom built, pick what you want up front. I was referring to buying an exising house.
In my area there is a clear difference between contract grade sales and upgraded sales. There are a boat-load of cookie cutter developments.
House 1 was built 15 years ago, has new beige carpet and new counters. The sellers had the items replaced prior to listing because the old stuff was shabby and may have hindered the sale. However, they replaced the old with contractor grade (which is crap in my area, won't last more than 5 years) so they didn't have to spend much on a house they're selling. Priced at $110,000.
House 2 was also built 15 years ago, has wood floors and granite counters. They were replaced 5 years ago when the sellers did some remodeling but nothing special was done to prep the house for sale. Priced at $130,000.
They're the exact same house on comparable lots, but one was upgraded with wood and granite. Personally I'd rather save the $20k, tolerate the "base grade" stuff for a few years and then upgrade to my choice of finishes for significantly less money.
I've done new construction. I did do all of the upgrades that I wanted up front. They were already charging me $1,000 for "flooring". It was a matter of $1,000 for contractor carpet that would need replaced within 5 years or spend an extra $300 for upgraded carpet that would last 10+ years. Obviously I couldn't replace the carpet inside of 5 years for less than $300, so that was a no-brainer.
Now $30 for chrome bathroom faucett or spend an extra $200 for upgraded bathroom faucett. I'm handy, so I can upgrade the faucett by myself for about $125. So, $155 total for a crap faucett with an upgrade later on or $230 to have the builder do it for me... eh, I'll do that one myself and save the money.
http://pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi#general
We do have a cleaner we use for granite that doesn't leave residue like some cleaners, but other than that, it's fine to take care of. Is granite a hill I want to die on? No way. I'd take a multitude of surfaces when buying a house. Hell, I'd take laminate if it was the right house for me otherwise.
I hate when they say, "Oh, it's laminate and black appliances. OBVIOUSLY that will have to be changed out right away." Um, no. No, it won't. Having black appliances doesn't preclude you from being able to use the kitchen. If the house HAS a functioning kitchen, awesome, figure out an upgrade later. Not to mention, if you're in the house for 10 years, something else that's "hot" might come along in that time and then your kitchen will look dated when you go to sell.
And ditto people complaining about paint and carpet. Those are the easiest/cheapest things to change.
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