fdl

The home I purchased comes with hardwood flooring on the main floor and carpet installed upstairs. I asked the builder to not install the carpet (took a small credit) and I will be installing hardwood flooring myself. I personally can't stand carpeting anywhere in a house. IMO its dirty and doesnt look good. If I need to warm things up I will use rugs. So for me it is money well spent and I would much rather have the hardwood over the granite.

But of course everyone may not feel this way, so I have been wondering if the money would have been better spent to put in a granite countertop in the Kitchen? I know the usual rule is to spend your money on kitchen and bathroom, but hardwood seems to be a big selling point as well.

So what do you think? If I was to try to sell my house to YOU in the next couple of years, what would make it more appealing to you ....hardwood on the top floor or granite counter in the kitchen (there is main floor hardwood in both cases)?

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

I personally like my home's setup.

hardwood and tile on the entire first floor
Carpet upstairs (I hate getting up in the morning in barefeet and feeling cold hardwood floors)
Upstairs bathrooms are tile too.

Bdog

Hardwood floors with have a greater return than a granite countertop... imo. We have hardwood floors in the whole downstairs except in the bedroom (purchased it like that) and I hate it and want to get it redone but don't have the cash right now. As long as the countertop is not all nasty, get the floors done!

soopa

I'd have to go with the floors. I can't imagine though that the builder wasn't charging you more for installing carpet than it will cost you to install hardwood yourself.

I'd think with the credit you could afford hardwood and keep the granite?

dom

Its easier to upgarde to a granite countrtop down the road than it would be to upgrade to hardwood on a entire floor. You made the right choice

soopa

Oh, and the reason I say floors...

Most people, checking a new home, expect to make some changes in a kitchen... even if it's perfect. Countertops are considered an easy (albeit pricey) change. Much more than floors.

So yeah, wood floors first.... granite second.

fdl

The credit was peanuts. $1000. Total scam because I am sure they are saving more than that on material and labour. I considered having them supply it but not install it, but I didnt know what to do with the stuff. I figured $1000 was better than having carpet and nowhere to put it.