Should You Upgrade Countertops Before Selling Your Home? Here's What You Should Know

Planning to sell your home in the near future? Then you may be contemplating some aesthetic upgrades to make it more attractive to potential buyers. New countertops can go a long way to give your kitchen some contemporary appeal. However, it's not always a necessary investment. For example, if your house has many desirable features already, you may not have to work as hard to entice prospective buyers. On the other hand, your existing countertops may be downgrading the value your home in ways you may not even realize. Some experts say that laminate is a low-cost countertop you should consider replacing before selling your house because the cheap material may deter buyers. 

There is no right answer to whether or not you should upgrade your countertops before selling your home. The right way forward depends on a variety of factors, such as the condition of your current countertops, the selling features of your property, your renovation budget, and the price that you are listing your home for. Let's go over some situations where it may be wise to install new countertops prior to selling, and questions to consider that will help you make your final decision.

Although it is not always necessary, in some cases it may be a smart move to install new countertops before putting your home on the market. For example, if you are already planning to make some cosmetic upgrades around the house prior to selling, it is worthwhile to include your countertops in your budget as they are considered a visual focal point.

When deciding whether or not to make this investment, it is important to be honest with yourself about the appeal of your current countertops. The truth is, they may be inadvertently working against you to devalue your home. Some believe that certain countertop choices make it harder to sell your house, and the main culprit of this is laminate. Formica countertops and other forms of laminate are cheaper than stone, but the drawback is that they damage easily and may cheapen the look of your home. Plus, given that they were most popular back in the 1960s, they can make your kitchen look out of date.

With this being said, it is best to avoid laminate if you plan to replace your countertops before selling your house. Although more affordable than the alternatives, the Property Brothers warn to avoid it during a kitchen reno. If saving money is your primary goal, they suggest using other cost-effective materials like Corian solid surface or butcher block-style wood. However, if you can afford it, you can't do better than high-quality stone.

There is no straightforward solution to this dilemma, but there are certain questions you can ask yourself to arrive at the answer that is right for you. First and foremost, does your home have selling features that prospective buyers will covet? If the location, amenities, size, and overall potential of your home are desirable, it may not be necessary to do the extra legwork of installing new fixtures and finishes.

Another factor to consider is the interior design of your kitchen and bathrooms. Even if their appearance is slightly behind the times, you may be able to get away with smaller upgrades to give your home more neutral and "timeless" appeal, such as painting the walls, staining the cabinets, or installing new hardware, faucets, and light fixtures. It may be worthwhile to invest in professional staging to give your home a more contemporary feel.

The decision to keep or replace your countertops could also come down to the price of your home. If you plan to list your property at a higher price point, potential buyers may seek greater value for their money. If your existing countertops are not in the best shape, then it may be a good idea to invest in premium stone such as quartz, granite, or marble. You may not necessarily recoup the cost, but it will appeal to discerning buyers who are looking for a move-in ready home, giving you an edge over the competition.