Expert: Lori Frankfort Date: 6/27/2008 Subject: Home Improvement Values
Question Upland, California:
Two Questions Lori:
1. What moves a house faster, new kitchen or new bathroom? and
2. What would be the better investment,
a. Replacing all carpet in my house w/Engineered Hardwood Floors (Concrete Subfloor), or
Putting Eng. Hardwood Floors only in Living/Dining Room & Hallway then using the balance of the budget to:
1. Stain Kitchen Cabinets
2. Change Brass hardware w/brushed nickel hardware, and
3. Install Granite Counter top
Answer These answers are my opinion only, based on my experience:
1) Kitchen. Don't do granite, it's becoming dated and boring. Explore some newer options or do something that is consistent with the period your home was built in. For example, if you have a Spanish home you should put in Spanish tile counters.
2) I would put the hardwood throughout, but when you say engineered, I wouldn't use pergo. Pergo is worse than leaving carpet. If you're going to do Bella Wood or something that looks REAL then spend the money, otherwise save it.
I would caution that Realtors are finding that in this market home improvements aren't always selling a home, the lower price is.
