Would you buy a house without an oven in the kitchen?

Question

I have a tiny kitchen (about 12 ft x 6ft) and I'm thinking of remodeling. I've seen those stovetops that can be installed on to a counter with drawers or a dishwasher underneath and I think I want that instead of the oven/stove combo everyone seems to have. Since we use the toaster oven for everything the regular oven never gets used and seems to be wasting a lot of space. But that's because there are two residents - I'd imagine that someone with kids would need an oven, right? Anyway, would not having an oven in the kitchen be a problem when I eventually go to resell the house?

Answer 1

If you don't want an oven, don't put one in now. I would incorporate an oven cabinet into the design and provide the appropriate wiring inside. Fill the space where the oven would go with drawers or buy an extra set of doors and use the cavity as a pantry.

If and when you are ready to sell, an oven could easily be installed into the cabinet. I would tend to wait until after the sale, as you may find the buyer would rather have the space than an oven as well. I have never heard of this being done with an oven, but it is quite common to place a 24" base cabinet next to the sink in case a later owner would like to install a dishwasher.

Answer 2

In short: yes, it would.

If I was looking to buy a house and a house lacked an oven *but* I loved everything else about it, *and* (here's the kicker) there was an obvious place to install an oven without requiring any kind of kitchen renovation then sure, why not buy the house. It's "just an oven."

However, when you say your kitchen is so small it's clear that a prospective purchaser would not be able to look at the kitchen and conclude, "no problem. I'll just put a new oven right over there." Kitchen renovations are extremely costly, and, of course, disruptive. I don't know of anyone who would "be okay" having an oven-less kitchen. I also think it's possible that you would conclude, down the road, that it was not a good idea. It's one thing to feel like you have no use for an oven, and another entirely to find yourself without the option -- ever -- of using one. If you ever had anyone over for a meal....if you or whoever else you live with ever thought they wanted to try and bake something....you would not be able to.

There are relatively small oven/range combos, and there are wall ovens that don't take up huge amounts of space. You definitely don't need to have a combo -- I too find them to be very inefficient in terms of space -- but I believe you will do yourself a disservice if you opt to have no oven at all.

Answer 3

i bought a house four years ago that didn't have a oven it only had a cook top and i really regretted it. i had to hear about it almost daily ever since closing on the house. I finally had to remodel kitchen and get the best stove on the market to have some peace. it actually is a combo with 2 ovens. finally i have peace. In the future I don't think I would ever do it again.

hope i was a help.

Answer 4

Of course it would be a problem in resale. It doesn't sound like you cook or you wouldn't even consider not having at least one oven let alone a double. I have a gas cooktop and a wall of double ovens and wouldn't consider a home that had less regardless of it's size and there is now only the two of us. We love to cook and entertain. A toaster oven isn't going to produce a standing rib, a roast chicken or turkey or anything I would want to eat. Be smart and get the ovens and then learn how to cook.

Answer 5

I have had much tinier kitchens, and I wouldn't even consider a house without an oven.
The oven is one of the easiest ways to cook, especially if you have kids, and you wouldn't be able to cook enough for everyone in a toaster oven.
One of my single friends uses her oven for storage; another uses the dishwasher for storage.

Answer 6

It wouldn't bother me,and If I liked the house, I would buy it without one! I Have my Moms Antique Stove. Anything that came with a house I bought would have to be removed ,to make way for Mom's. I never use it though, I only bake clay in it. ( I like to make Wind Chimes,and I bake the clay things in the oven) So, go ahead and rip it Out! Bye

Answer 7

people don't really use ovens these days

I prefer to heat up my afternoon tea over a bonfire. It's really a character building habit.

Answer 8

It could kill you on resale. But if I had to pick, I'd rather have a dishwasher than an oven.

Answer 9

I don't cook, so why not? Only thing I need is a microwave, a coffeemaker, a fridge, and a couple of cabinets for storage

Answer 10

yes,but you can always put one in when you sell the house