Is it worth the investment to add granite countertops to a townhome in the kitchen?

Answer 1

Depends upon the neighborhood wherein it is located. You never want to be the highest priced home in the neighborhood. You will not get your cost back. Same for a lot of other "improvements". You can over improve the area and, unless you will retire there or stay a number of years will never recover the cost of the improvements.

Look at the townhouse as an investment in your self. Make smart improvements that you will recover from- fresh paint, new floor coverings, refinish wood floors, this type improvement you will recover and not be priced over the neighborhood.

Replace things like the knobs and hinges on all the cabinets- bathrooms and kitchen. Update faucets. Add a dual shower head to the master bath. These change the appearance with minimal cost. Granite costs a lot and if your area typically does not have homes with granite counter tops, consider something else.

Again if you plan to live there a looonnnggg time don't worry about the cost, but the average person moves every 3-5 yrs.

Answer 2

Perhaps, depeding on the current countertop, but resale returns from kitchens is somewhat rare, given the cost of a nice kitchen, and the minimal impact a few cheap changes make.

Warm paint and completely redone bathrooms are generally the best bets for increasing value on a budget.

Even in todays more liberal and double income societies, these rules are generally consistent. The man will buy the house, but hte woman will veto it. Bathrooms are a veto point, as are bedrooms. Make sure these are clean, warm, with a little designer touch (they are usually cheap). For the expensive points, the kitchen, living room, etc ..., make sure they are sound and sell the strengths to the guy.

Answer 3

Granite countertops can increase the value of, any home or business. Most Granite is imported from Africa, Brazil, Europe and different countries rich in natural stone. It is an amazingly unique stone that is highly durable because it never scratches, cracks or blisters, settling on it a perfect decision for some property holders and cooks as far and wide as possible.

Answer 4

I think it depends on what the townhomes in your area are doing. Updating a kitchen or a bath is usually always money recooped, but you could update for less if that is the trend in your area.

Granite is wonderful, prices have come down. If you splurge for granite, you should also splurge for the undercounter mounted sink.

Answer 5

You have a LOT of answers, but it really depends on your reason for doing so. YES, because the price isn't really that high. Try to get the remenant slab or even large tiles and have the edges butted up together, this looks great and a good fabricator can easily handle the job. GRANITE is very durable, dark or varied colors does not need special care, stains rarely happen (watch for oil on Travertine) Get the most dense stone you can find and seal once a year. I got 30K over comparable properties for a 3K investment in 2001. PLUS I loved them myself.

Answer 6

I don't know much about investment wise. But I do know that solid surface countertops require special care, a lot more than reg. countertops. I would go with a textured laminant, they look more real without all the work.

Answer 7

Not if you think you are going to get the money back when you sell, it would be a rare fish that says 'OK and that's whatever more for any extra' they just go off the local market research for values.
And we are entering a recession so forget climbing values regardless.

Answer 8

If it is for yourself, then why not? It promote standard of living.

If you are trying to sell the unit, adding a countertop probably won't get higher selling price. As buyers are price sensitive these days.

Answer 9

It all depends on what comparable townhouses near you are doing......

If no body has them, you are unlikely to get anybody to pay for that in your area.

If 30/40% of the townhouses around you have them, then you will probably recoup your investment.

If everybody has them, and you don't the potential buyers will look at you funny

Answer 10

No. The prices of houses are falling. The housing bubble is sitting on the pin, waiting to pop. Keep your money as long as you can and put in the laminate.