Recently, I was invited to give a listing presentation at the home of prospective clients who are interested in selling their beautiful and extremely well cared for home in East Cobb.

This family has called this house "home" since moving there in 1979. The whole place is truly lovely. The home radiates pride of ownership and love -- love of family as well as the obvious love this family has put into their home over 30 years. Truly a labor of love! This home exudes memories through pictures and family memorabilia as well as elegant landscaping where children once chased fire-flys on hot summer nights and played football games amidst a lush backyard setting. A home so well organized there is a place for everyone and everything. It is obvious that this family appreciates nice things and over the years they have taken vigilant and excellent care of their home and surroundings. Even after 30 years, this home has the feel and look of a "model home". Picture a home featured in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine!

Yes, these home owners have maintained this home perfectly too. They have been meticulous about cleaning gutters, mowing, weeding, trimming, edging the yard and landscape. They replaced old windows with new energy efficient windows. Rooms that once had elegant wall papers, are now custom and neutral tone paints. Additionally, there have been occasional replacements and upgrades as necessary for a new roof, hot water heater, exterior and interior paint, new bathroom vanities, new front door hardware, appliances, etc.

After raising 4 active children and the recent marriage of a daughter these clients believe it is time to downsize. They want to sell this beautiful home and they want to be sure their home is in "show ready" condition.

While visiting this home, these clients wanted my input on whether they should install new countertops before putting their home on the market. (I might add here, that this home will show extremely well (and sell quickly even in a down market) regardless of whether or not they decide to have new countertops installed). Regardless, this is a project they want to do as a gift to lucky new buyers.

This subject is what influenced my Blog topic today. As we discussed the pros and cons of countertops, I thought you might be interested in this subject too.

With 80 percent of homes in the U.S. built before 1980, chances are you are either buying or selling a home that needs a kitchen update.

Your real estate professional has likely told you that countertops are among the most important surfaces in the home. What’s the latest in countertops?

Granite
Granite conveys quality, durability, and elegance. “It’s got granite” has become shorthand for luxury.

Consumers love granite because it’s easy to maintain and can withstand hot pans up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit. And, it’s beautiful.

To meet demand, many builders use “commodity” granite with familiar names like Uba Tuba, Baltic Brown and Black Galaxy. These granite patterns feature small patterns that are easy to fabricate into small tiles or slabs. You can find commodity granite at home improvement stores.

But if you want the latest look, it’s all about “slab” granite. Like a piece of modern art, slab granite is chosen for the beauty of a contiguous swirl or lighting-like pattern that is one of a kind and can be fabricated without a seam across a large countertop space.

It’s an expensive way to go, but the effect can be dazzling, like capturing a fine painting in the framework of your counter space.

Quartz
Unlike granite that has to be measured and cut to specifications, engineered stone is poured into a mold to fit the measurement.

Engineered stone is about 93 percent quartz, which is then rounded out with epoxy, polymers, pebbles, semi-precious stones and other materials. Unlike granite, which can stain if it’s not sealed and resealed periodically, engineered stone is non-porous.

Since it’s man-made, it’s easy to match and arrives looking just like the sample in your hand. You’ve heard the brand names – Silestone from Italy, Hanstone from Korea, CaesarStone from Israel, among others. Each of these brands have stunning palettes to choose from, from granite-like patterns to solid colors of all hues.

Another advantage to quartz engineering is cost. When it was first introduced, it was more expensive than granite, but that’s no longer the case.

Composites
Building on resin-based technologies, new companies are creating innovative eco-friendly custom countertops. Made with recycled paper, concrete, glass and other products, these countertops can look as warm and as smooth as burnished wood, or as vivid and colorful as a kaleidoscope. Example composites can be seen at vetrazzo.com.

The unpredictable availability of certain glass means that each countertop is a work of art, and that some patterns are only available in a limited edition.

If you like the look and features of granite, quartz and the new composites, use all three! Try quartz for your cooking area, a complementary granite for your island, and a jazzy composite for the wet bar.

The good news is you don’t have to limit yourself to one selection.

Please call or e-mail me if you are considering the possible sale of your current home and / or the purchase of a home. I look forward to consulting with you too when the time is right for you. I can be reached at sara.hibbard@metrobrokers.com OR call me at 770-399-8108! I'm Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind!