Practical Resale Ideas for Counters – How to Choose Countertops When Considering Resale Value
If you’re looking for practical resale value, what color, pattern, and type of stone should you look at? How can you navigate what’s “trendy” while still thinking about the longevity of the color and style? We often help homeowners who are looking to renovate a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room that come to our showroom with questions just like these. This blog post can help you think about practical resale ideas for counters when considering your next purchase!
We frequently hear questions such as “Do you think this stone type will resale well?” or “Do you think this color will be popular in the near future, since this may not be our forever home?” It can be daunting to think about the longevity of a natural stone countertop and wondering if it will still be considered in fashion or trendy in five to ten years. We understand that purchasing stone (no matter the size of the project) is an investment for homeowners, and we want to ensure that homeowners pick stones that they love while in their home, but can still transition for resale value.
The number one piece of advice we would give homeowners when looking to purchase stone with resale in mind, is to keep it as neutral as possible. Solid, neutral colors can appeal to potential home buyers because of the versatility of the color when matching it to the rest of the room. A classic white countertop never goes out of style, especially when you consider how long colors like White Carrara marble have been used in indoor and outdoor architecture throughout history. A solid white, grey, or black countertop pairs well with all kinds of colored cabinets, paint, wallpaper, hardware, and light fixtures! Classic, clean, solid/semi-solid colors are beautiful in all types of homes, from ultra-modern to a historic farmhouse.
In regards to stone types, rest assured that natural stones such as granite, marble, quartzite, soapstone, and quartz (which is recycled natural stone) are all timeless options. Unlike their non-natural counterparts, natural stone countertops never go in and out of fashion. In fact, granite, quartz, and marble countertops are always viewed as high-end, luxury countertop materials. Other surfaces such as Corian, laminate, cultured marble, and butcher block do not resale well as they are not nearly as versatile and durable as natural stone.
Typically, the countertops are one of the more difficult projects for homeowners to tackle when renovating a home. Painting the walls of cabinet and changing the cabinet hardware can completely change a kitchen or bathroom, and can be done by future owners of your home relatively easily. However, picking out your next countertops is not a decision you want to change your mind about in a few years. Thinking about other elements within the room can help when thinking about making the countertop purchase. Questions such as “would this stone work well with different paint/hardware/flooring?” can help you choose a stone with resale value. Our sales team here at Marble Granite World is full of well-experienced design experts who will happily guide you through the process of picking out the right natural stone tops for your space.
Many potential home owners hesitate to purchase homes if they know they’ll need to change out old countertops soon after moving in, which is why taking care of these upgrades prior to selling your home will only help it sell faster! Remember, the simpler the better. The more complex or exotic the pattern of the stone, the more difficult it can be to appeal to new homeowners. Bold, exotic patterns can limit the potential resale, as it may appeal to a specific client, but can be difficult for mass appeal.
We want all homeowners to love the stone they choose, so make sure that when thinking about resale value, you’re choosing a stone that you’ll be happy with while you still live in the home! Keep these tips and advice in mind when thinking about choosing a stone for your upcoming project, but don’t limit yourself. The stone options are limitless, and there’s bound to be a natural or engineered stone that you can enjoy while you live in the home, and can be great for resale value!
Tips and Advice:
- Go as neutral as possible! Avoid flashy colors.
- Clean, solid colors pair easier with different colored cabinets, hardware, and light fixtures, giving the future owners of your home the flexibility to play with hardware, light fixtures, and wall colors.
- Try to avoid extremely dramatic patterns or colors.
- If you want movement in the stone, try to find something that is consistent throughout.
- Light and bright is always best! Dark colors tend to come in and out of style.
- Granite, quartz, quartzite, and certain harder marbles are great options for versatility and durability, compared to other non-natural surface options that are currently on the market.
FAQs
Go as neutral as possible! Avoid flashy colors. Clean, solid colors pair easier with different colored cabinets, hardware, and light fixtures, giving the future owners of your home the flexibility to play with hardware, light fixtures, and wall colors. Try to avoid extremely dramatic patterns or colors.
What countertops have the best resale value? ›
It comes in various patterns and colors, so you can find a style that fits your kitchen. Granite countertops are a great investment because they have a high return on investment. If you're considering selling your home in the future, granite countertops are an ideal way to increase your home's value.
What is the best color granite for resale? ›
Neutral and Earth tone Granite colors work best
Venetian Gold, Giallo Ornamental or Indian Coffee Brown are among the great neutral options that will complement many design schemes, and they're cost-effective for a homeowner performing a remodel.
What is the resale value of granite? ›
Granite is the most popular countertop material among homebuyers, and it can boost your home's value while helping you recover some of the installation cost. Installing countertops made of granite or another type of natural stone can potentially increase your home's value by up to 25 percent of its retail value.
Do marble countertops increase home value? ›
Improves Your Home's Value
When compared to other materials like laminate or porcelain, marble will add more resale value to your home. “It's a status material and can help increase your home's value. While it's more expensive to install, it can be worth it,” says Sklar.
What is the best countertop to increase home value? ›
Improving Your Home Value with Granite Countertops
Granite counters add a touch of class and permanence to a home's design. The same countertop could make a modern home feel older and an older home feel timelessly modernized. Granite counters tend to cost between $50 and $100 per square foot.
What is the most popular countertop right now? ›
Here are the top eight kitchen countertop materials:
- Quartz. “Quartz is a manmade stone that is composed of roughly 80% to 93% natural material mixed with pigments and resins, making it a very durable and low-maintenance option,” Kaercher says. ...
- Quartzite. ...
- Granite. ...
- Marble. ...
- Butcher Block. ...
- Soapstone. ...
- Stainless Steel. ...
- Concrete.
One of the rarest types of granite the world is Van Gogh Granite known for its aqua blue and mint green color with burnt orange veining. Since the combination of blue and red granite specifically is so rare in nature it is the most expensive.
What color granite is timeless? ›
Classic white granite, like Kashmir White or Colonial White, imparts a timeless elegance and pairs well with various design styles. Beige and tan hues, exemplified by options like Giallo Ornamental or Santa Cecilia, offer warmth and versatility.
Do granite countertops have resale value? ›
A Realtor® can tell you specifically how much this highly coveted finish will add to the potential sale price of your home. However, the general perspective on this question is that you will add an amount to your home's value equivalent to at least 25 percent of the retail cost of the countertops.
These pieces are ideal for smaller projects like a backsplash, kitchen island counter, or bathroom counter and vanity. Granite remnants average $10 to $35 per square foot from slab yards, fabricators, and suppliers.
Is granite or quartz better for resale? ›
Quartz Countertops Resale Value. If you are looking to increase your home's resale value, granite countertops can raise it by up to 25%. Granite materials offer timeless beauty, with variations of unique patterns that make them stand out.
What is granite rock worth? ›
Granite can cost anywhere from 20 to 200 dollars per square foot.
What is the downside of marble countertops? ›
Perhaps the biggest inconvenience that white marble countertops in the kitchen present is the need for regular resealing. Like many types of natural stone, white marble will stain if you don't reseal it regularly. Depending on the stone's quality, you may need to reseal it as often as four times per year.
What is worth more marble or granite? ›
Granite is typically less expensive, running approximately three-fifths the price of the luxurious stone. On average, costs per square foot for granite range from $40 to $100, while costs per square foot for marble range from $50 to $150.
Which looks better marble or granite? ›
There are pros and cons to using each material, so it's just a matter of deciding what's right for your needs as well as your budget. Marble, for example, is elegant in appearance, while granite offers a more natural look.
Do countertops affect resale value? ›
If your current countertops are neutral and still appear to be in good condition, then it probably won't help you much to replace them before you try to sell your home. However, if your countertops are dated, stained, or have a poor appearance overall, then the countertops can deter the sale of your home.
What is the best countertop material for the money? ›
For cost-efficient, long-term countertop options, consider granite and other natural stone materials. Sheets of granite are smooth, durable and heat-resistant, making this the perfect material to use in your kitchen.
Is it worth upgrading countertops before selling? ›
Updating kitchen countertops
Upgrading the countertops is never a bad idea. It is a low cost that ups the value of your house and attracts buyers. Replacing old, dated countertops and updating kitchen countertops with new granite, quartz or stone pieces adds instant appeal and pizazz. You really cannot lose.
We frequently hear questions such as “Do you think this stone type will resale well?” or “Do you think this color will be popular in the near future, since this may not be our forever home?” It can be daunting to think about the longevity of a natural stone countertop and wondering if it will still be considered in fashion or trendy in five to ten years. We understand that purchasing stone (no matter the size of the project) is an investment for homeowners, and we want to ensure that homeowners pick stones that they love while in their home, but can still transition for resale value.