5 Reasons Granite Increases a Home’s Value
If you're planning to renovate your bathroom or kitchen with beautiful countertops made of granite or another type of natural stone like marble or travertine, you may be doing more than enhancing the appearance of your space. Granite is the most popular countertop material among homebuyers, and it can boost your home's value while helping you recover some of the installation cost. Installing countertops made of granite or another type of natural stone can potentially increase your home's value by up to 25 percent of its retail value. Here are 5 of the top reasons granite may add value to your property.
1. It Has a Timeless Appeal
Granite has retained its popularity and appeal for decades for many reasons, including its natural beauty, strength, and durability. The marbling, veining, and colors are naturally occurring, and no two slabs are exactly alike. If you are concerned about adding value to your home and making it appealing to potential buyers, choose granite with neutral or earth tones like white, black, or brown. Granite is so popular that many homebuyers consider it a "must have.”
2. It Has Longevity and Strength
Buyers appreciate materials that won't need to be replaced in the near future. Unlike laminate, butcher block, and solid surface countertops, natural stone can last a lifetime with minimal maintenance. Granite is one of the hardest stones on Earth, which makes it extremely difficult to scratch. Countertops made of this type of stone can handle the demands of an active household with excellent scratch and heat resistance.
3. It Offers a High Return on Investment
As any real estate expert can tell you, kitchens sell homes. An updated kitchen is the most common item homebuyers request, but renovating your kitchen doesn't need to cost a fortune. Minor to moderate kitchen remodels of $20,000 to $25,000 offer the highest return on investment of 90 to 100 percent. This may include upgrading to granite countertops, which most buyers view as a desirable premium material.
4. It’s Low Maintenance
Granite requires little more than routine cleaning, sealing, and polishing, all of which homeowners can perform themselves with granite-safe products such as those found in a granite home care collection. Low maintenance is a major selling point for many younger house hunters. Low-upkeep home features like granite countertops are viewed as a big plus because they're beautiful without the hassles of complicated or frequent care.