Ep 52 - Upgrading Your Kitchen - a podcast by Brian Cook And Kindra Cox

On Episode 52 of The Brian and Kindra Show, they discussed countertops as a simple way to upgrade or update your kitchen. 

Kitchens and bathrooms are often said to be the main items that will help to sell a home. Updating your kitchen counters is an easy way to freshen up your kitchen.   

Quartz countertops are low maintenance and non-porous. Quartz doesn’t soak up moisture and nor hold bacteria. Adversely, granite looks similar but is porous and requires more maintenance including sealing, a simple process. These two types are popular amongst homeowners because of the variety of colors available. Quartz you can easily match-up pieces because of the natural variation in color/design. Granite is formed in a way that you would need one piece in order to stay away from seeing two visibly different pieces. Granite comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes. It’s heat and scratch resistant. It’s more cost efficient than quartz, but not by much. It also may be more affordable than you realize and provides a classic style. 

Soapstone provides a nice aesthetic but is rare and costly.  Brian and Kindra advise that before doing costly upgrades to a home you plan to sell, you may want to ask a professional to complete a comparative market analysis so you don’t waste money on a project that won’t show a return. However, even though you might not see a financial return on some upgrades, you can see a quick sell if it catches a buyer’s eye. 

Solid surface countertops such as Corian and Laminate, are man-made. Corian is a slightly dated look that can be more uniform. Corian is an easily repairable countertop, that can be cost-efficient. Laminate countertops can last years and are easily perceived as granite. If you like change, laminate can be changed quickly and affordably

Eco-friendly countertops, like Butcher Blocks, provide a clean look. However, they can harbor bacteria if they aren’t used properly.   However, it can be sealed to provide sanitation. Butcher block is said to have the same heat resistance as granite. An upside to Butcher Block counters is that if they are scratched, they can be sanded out and re-sealed. 

When updating countertops, if you pick a dark countertop make sure you have enough lighting so it doesn’t bring down the ambiance of your kitchen. Also, if upgrading your countertops or cabinets is out of budget, you can always repaint your cabinets to freshen up the space. 

If you’re updating to sell, give Brian and Kindra a call. They can offer tips on what is current and what might bring return in selling your home. As always, if you have any questions or need help, please feel free to reach out to your local real estate professional.

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