Expert: Lori Frankfort - 6/27/2008

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.

Best,
Lori Frankfort