Flipping a house means transforming it beforehand. As a flipper, you know already that bathrooms and kitchens are what sells. Buyers are always going to focus on these rooms more than others, so you have to give the kitchen a bit more attention than you would other spaces. Knowing how to dress up the kitchen can increase your profits in the long run, too. That means choosing the right countertops, too.
What are the best countertops for a flip? We’re going to explore some options today. Let’s get started.
Planning For The Flip
It is easy to get carried away when renovating for a flip. Adding cabinets, improving lighting, swapping fixtures, and beautiful countertops improves upon a kitchen, but you need to plan accordingly. Some of the improvements may be worth more than what the local market is willing to pay for. Take into consideration the size of the home, the neighborhood, and the demographics in the area before deciding on the countertops you want for a flip.
Avoid Over-Improvement
In other words, you want to avoid something called “over-improvement.” A smart flipper will know that budgeting is integral, as is choosing a countertop that does not break the bank or over-improve the property. If you overspend on countertops, you may not profit during the flip. Furthermore, do not select countertops based solely on how well they dress up the kitchen, because the buyer may not feel the same way.
Here is an example: A flipper who is trying to sell a house with granite countertops. Though granite is always in-demand, depending on the location of the property, it could impact the house negatively. Granite will never be a problem in an upscale area where houses sell for above-average prices because people expect to see such things. However, if you decide to flip a house in a lower-income area, you will not be getting your money back on those granite counters.
What Are The Best Countertops For Houseflipping?
The good news is that you have plenty of choices when it comes to countertops for flipping houses. Every countertop type has its own pros and cons. Some are more scratch-resistant than others, while some have a more budget-friendly price tag. You should also consider the style of the kitchen when making your choice.
Here are the best countertop choices for flipping a house:
Granite
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So popular is this natural stone that granite regularly shows up on lists of the most popular kitchen features. In fact, that National Home Builders Association named granite on its top 10 list of most desirable features. Granite is a mixture of mica, quartz, and feldspar that began to crystalline in cooling magma. Because of how it is made, granite comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Some colors are more rare than others, but all granite is durable and heat resistant.
Some granite colors are a smarter choice than others for flipping a house: Valle Nevado, Luna Pearl, and New Caledonia. The first, Valle Nevado, is a mixture of white, gray, and black stone that is extremely durable and affordable. In fact, Valle Nevado runs around the same price as laminate countertops (mentioned below), so you can easily choose this for a budget-friendly option that most people will love.
Luna Pearl granite is a lot like Valle Nevado, but instead of black and gray, it is more earthy. This is the perfect choice for kitchens with neutral colors and white cabinets. It is another cheaper granite. Lastly, New Caledonia granite. This stone is more gray and black than white, and it has a clean, contemporary feel. New Caledonia runs around the same price as the other two.
There are a few downsides to granite to keep in mind. Because of the price and the maintenance involved, some buyers are not looking for granite.
Quartz
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Man-made and highly durable, quartz is a good choice for those who want to avoid chipping corners and edges. Since quartz is engineered, it is also less porous than granite. It does have a weakness, however. The resin mixed in with the other materials is not very heat resistant. Unlike granite, you cannot put hot pots and pans directly onto the surface, because the resin could get damaged.
The plus side to quartz is that it is more stain-resistant and slightly cheaper than granite. Some of the patterns may look a little industrial, but there are plenty of choices of color these days. Just remember that some buyers may be turned off by quartz because of its lack of heat resistance.
Laminate/Formica
The biggest pull for laminate is that it is incredibly cheap. Being that it is the most affordable countertop material on this list, it is ideal for those first-time homes and rentals. Choose it for real estate areas where pricing is lower than average.
Laminate, sometimes called Formica, comes in a wide variety of colors and textures. These days, it can even mimic quartz and granite successfully. If you choose the color correctly, the buyer probably will not mind that they have laminate counters. One major turn-off, though, is that laminate has no where near the same amount of durability as granite.
This material can be permanently damaged by impacts and sharp edges. For example, if someone is cutting directly on the surface, they are bound to leave a mark. Laminate is also less heat resistant than natural stone.
Corian
The brand name Corian is produced by DuPont and is a blend of polyesters and acrylics. Although it is not the most environmentally-friendly choice, the end result is stunning, resilient, and affordable. The materials are crafted to look like natural stone and come in an array of colors. The best part is that Corian countertops are nonporous, easy to clean, and require very little maintenance.
The downside is a lack of heat resistance. You will have to be careful when placing anything hot on Corian countertops because they could warp. Furthermore, Corian is less scratch-resistant than natural stone.
However, it is a budget-friendly choice that is slightly more durable than laminates, putting it at a middle ground between entry-level and upscale.
Final Thoughts
There is a wide range of countertops you can choose from, some that are not even present on this list. However, granite, quartz, laminate, and Corian are always welcome additions to a kitchen. Remember, buyers are not always going to be head-over-heels for an expensive countertop, so consider what the demographics want before making your decision. As long as you keep that in mind, you should be able to flip the house and make a profit while doing it!
Need help choosing the best countertop for your kitchen? Ask us! Marble Concepts has been handling natural stone for many years. Give us a call or fill out the contact form, and we will be in touch.
