https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:47:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you/page/2#post-2427006 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 04:21:07 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2427006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd be happy with granite or quartz and wouldn't "ding" the house for having either option unless I was overall displeased with the color. If I was installing the counter tops myself I'd choose quartz. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you/page/2#post-2427005 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 03:59:05 +0000 Boogs 2427005@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Quartz </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you/page/2#post-2426917 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 23:40:33 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2426917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, I'd like to see granite or quartz. And I personally hate butcher block. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you/page/2#post-2426906 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 23:18:49 +0000 birdofafeather 2426906@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>don't go through HD and don't do a laminate! that's all i got. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you/page/2#post-2426651 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 19:29:47 +0000 Littlebit7 2426651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd say a super neutral non busy or non-patterned granite in a cream (but not yellow or brown, go for a cool tone). Or a neutral Quartz.<br /> No sparkles. No strong veining no matter how pretty it is.<br /> Another super easy fix is to replace knobs on cabinets with something modern if they aren't already </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you/page/2#post-2426640 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 19:24:06 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2426640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We will be looking to do a very cheap Quartz. I agree I feel like some of the cheaper granites look very 90s style now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you/page/2#post-2426628 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 19:14:48 +0000 Modern Daisy 2426628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Marble!! Or granite or Quartz that looks like marble. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you/page/2#post-2426601 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 18:39:00 +0000 chopsuey 2426601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have quartz in our kitchen, the laundry room and the kids' jack and Jill bathroom. LOVE It so much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426540 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 17:39:02 +0000 Zbug 2426540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Quartz. NOT marble. I hate our marble countertops so much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426510 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 17:08:27 +0000 mrsrain 2426510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not laminate, glass, or tile! Anything else would be great though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426437 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:26:24 +0000 blackbird 2426437@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>quartz looks best but wouldn't necessarily sway me, and I don't know that it has a great ROI. I like quartz over granite b/c you can cut on it, etc, and don't have to polish it, etc. It's more high maintenance and prone to chipping. I have laminate right now but just don't want to spend the thousands to upgrade </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426424 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 16:16:20 +0000 BandDmommy 2426424@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Since you are selling I would consider laminate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426358 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:36:05 +0000 hellobeeboston 2426358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We put in a quartz counter and LOVE it. I wanted marble, but not the hassle of marble, needed it to be sturdy/durable/maintenance-free. We had granite in our last place and I really liked it too, but they didn't have the colors I wanted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426332 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:23:26 +0000 Mrs D 2426332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boss just put in some laminate that looks like granite and it honestly looks very nice. I am not sure what the cost differential is but that could be an option too?</p> <p>I definitely agree that if yours are a "cant live in there" situation or something that could otherwise turn off buyers who are incapable of seeing how easy it is to replace counters...find a cost effective way to un-do the reason for them not to buy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426321 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:19:53 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2426321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: astounding! Great job! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426318 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:18:23 +0000 BadgerMom 2426318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: I agree with @Mrs D: . I'm very picky when it comes to aesthetics, especially in kitchens. I would much rather be able to choose my own as a homebuyer. If I were you, since yours is in bad shape, I would replace it with the cheapest non-offensive option that goes with the room. That way either your buyers will like it and live with it or they won't feel bad about tearing it out. When we were house hunting I hated seeing expensive counter tops that just weren't my taste because I knew I'd want to change it regardless of whether it was "expensive" or not and I felt bad. Frankly, what I view as, "ugly" expensive counters are much more of a turnoff to me than "ugly" cheap counters. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426316 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:16:58 +0000 Cherrybee 2426316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Beautiful! Amazing job! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426304 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:09:44 +0000 Mrs D 2426304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>and for fun...here is kitchen before and after in my new house...I am good at visualizing...DH thought I was insane for wanting this house :) </p> [attach=2617/16/o16008.600x450.1897997_10104656915865094_1061042452_n.jpg] [attach=2617/16/o16009.600x450.10151764_10104877110952374_983833685563991493_n.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426301 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:09:00 +0000 Mrs D 2426301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: so I have a personal hatred for black granite (after owning it I realized it is SO hard to keep it streak free)...so I would pick something cream tone - with your cabinet color and backsplash thoughts I think it would look nice. Plus you can find creamish granites with grey specks to work with the walls.</p> <p>We gutted our entire house (first floor completely down to studs - second floor mostly cosmetic) so yes we re-did the kitchen but we knew this was more of a long term house. We went with a cream granite this time and dark cabinets. This granite was a bit more expensive ($2200 for the whole kitchen) but still budget conscious. (ignore the food - but you can see the granite well here) </p> [attach=2617/16/o15zz0.600x600.10412047_10107733558653284_5833253652940290460_n.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426295 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:03:24 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2426295@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Unbelievable! You have a gift! That's really cool.</p> <p> So.....want to help me pick out a countop color......? ;)</p> <p>Did you re-do the kitchen in your new place, or was it move in ready for you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426292 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 15:01:14 +0000 Mrs D 2426292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: Thanks! Not to thread jack but I was super proud of it...here is the before... </p> [attach=2617/16/o15zmh.600x450.kitchen-before.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426285 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:58:10 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2426285@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: That looks really similar in size to ours. What a cute kitchen! You did a great job! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426278 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:55:18 +0000 Mrs D 2426278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: I am thinking 40 sq ft...if I remember correctly...here is the space to visually compare...usually you are paying for a slab...so as long as you can keep it to one slab (which 36 should no problem). I was very open with them about how budget conciosu I was...(we had painted the existing 1960's cabinets and were doing the backsplash ourselves for $250....super budget "reno"). They were understanding. We also got a remnant for one of our bathrooms that had very damaged laminate for $300 for the vanity...it was a striking material and really made the bathroom....it was barely $50 more than the pre-fab granite counters at HD. Since they were already coming to do the kitchen it added very little cost. </p> [attach=2617/16/o15zc6.600x450.Nook.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426268 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:50:20 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2426268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: $1600! Wow! That's good to know it's even a possibility to do it for that price (we have about 36 sqft of counter space--do you remember the square footage of your old kitchen?). It would definitely be worth it for me....even if we are only there until september. Maybe we will love the new counters so much we will stay another year. :-P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426267 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:50:15 +0000 regberadaisy 2426267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: agree. I definitely would not go with Home Depot or Lowes. Go to a local stone supplier. They will usually have installers that work for them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426265 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:48:51 +0000 regberadaisy 2426265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like Quartz and butcher block but I think granite is more popular?</p> <p>It really depends on your neighborhood imo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426261 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:47:34 +0000 Mrs D 2426261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: Its a definite catch 22...you could pick a granite and potential buyers see it an love it and the sparkling kitchen could make them buy your house. Or - you could have the asshole like me come through and discount the offer price bc you know you want to replace granite!</p> <p>Thats why I say...if you can find a reasonable granite (we did our old kitchen for $1600 knowing we would not be there long term) and say "hey - having this for X months or X years is worth the investment even if I get nothing back" go for it. I would just be weary of anything "splurge" or too high end bc you are risking it being a lost investment... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426258 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:46:16 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2426258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Totally makes sense about Home Depot just adding another extra layer of cost. Maybe we will go straight to the local outfits ourselves, or see if my realtor dad knows anybody. Thank you for your tips! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426254 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:44:30 +0000 Mrs D 2426254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: Home Depot is more expensive. Home depot sub contracts everything to local people - so you have home depot making a cut, on top of the person doing the actual work. You have an added layer of profit worked in. Go straight to a granite wholesaler and have them put you in touch with a granite fabricator.</p> <p>FWIW - your laminate doesnt look that bad! :) definitely speak with a realtor. If you were going to be there longer I would say just do what makes you happy - but with such a short timeframe to enjoy the cash outflow I would speak to a realtor first. They may also know a cheap fabricator! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/as-a-homebuyer-which-kitchen-countertop-is-more-appealing-to-you#post-2426253 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 14:44:18 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2426253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MaryM: my dad is a realtor, and he is pro new countertops. Our home has new stainless appliances, brand new paint, and nice cabinetry, and so replacing the laminate would really just be the icing on the cake and make it look like a brand new, updated, sparkling kitchen. Maybe just going with a less expensive granite option is our best bet. </p>