I think buyers are still looking for stainless so that's what I'd put in.

Stainless is always better for resale. They can say 'stainless steel appliances' as a feature in the real estate post- even if 1 appliance is white.

Thanks! After I posted this I thought the same. Trends take a while to catch on and even if SS is on the way out-- it's many years away before stainless becomes the latest avocado. You've helped me confirm this decision! I'll go with SS and figure out the refrigerator later!

I agree with going stainless, it is not going anywhere soon. At least in the average home, alternatives still cost too much.

Not everyone expects the fridge to stay with the house, when it sells...so stainless might be a nice choice. The white fridge might not match, but I don't know that it needs to...especially if you think you might keep it or include it with the sale, as an incentive in closing the deal :)

All good points! Thanks for the feedback! @Hollysprings I've been back and forth on the granite vs. quartz issue. When we thought the move was in 6months I was ready to go granite, but now it may be a year or year and a half. I love some granite but as luck would have it they are all a high grade with similar prices to quartz. And I've been in a serious "anti-movement" phase for a long time. You are right though. I'm sure I'll keep flip flopping for a while! I have to get over this "what I want" and "what I need (to sell)" thing!!! Yes, we are using professionals for painting and the cabinets are very good quality to begin with.

All good points! Thanks for the feedback! @Hollysprings I've been back and forth on the granite vs. quartz issue. When we thought the move was in 6months I was ready to go granite, but now it may be a year or year and a half. I love some granite but as luck would have it they are all a high grade with similar prices to quartz. And I've been in a serious "anti-movement" phase for a long time. You are right though. I'm sure I'll keep flip flopping for a while! I have to get over this "what I want" and "what I need (to sell)" thing!!! Yes, we are using professionals for painting and the cabinets are very good quality to begin with.

H
If you are planning to sell the house, have you thought about buying nice SS appliances from Craigslist? You can buy a really nice SS fridge that will really bump your resale value, then list your white fridge :) while there are a lot of appliances that are just too old, there are also a lot under 6 months.

When having the cabinets repainted, research the prep (etc) before you hire. Do not assume the professional you hire is going to do things correctly or follow best practices because he is in the business. Aside from my own experience with professionals who don't care a hoot about prep work, technical specs or industry standards, I know someone who spent a lot of money having cabinetry painted by a pro. The finish is flaking off. Another had a sub-optimal result with things they hadn't thought of themselves.

Unfortunately, you need to do the research yourself and carefully interview. I would have written in the contract exactly what will be done.

While white can minimize a large appliance, If the white will clash with the cabinetry, I would probably stick with stainless. Depending on the fridge size and layout, however, the stainless could stick out too.

This post was edited by snookums2 on Mon, Jan 13, 14 at 10:13

As a "professional home buyer" - I say put in the stainless steel appliances. Many buyers look for ss. As for the fridge, I wouldn't worry about it...In my area, the fridge goes with the seller unless stated differently in the sales contract.
PS - I do love my quartz! If you still have a year and a half there, get what you will enjoy! It really wasn't that much more than granite for my kitchen.

Check out CL to buy appliances.
Or possibly a panel covered DW.

So, you're in the house for another 1 1/2 years...this means if you're doing a renovation and starting it RIGHT NOW, you're going to probably have at least another few months before it's done...let's say 2-3 months. It means you're effectively living with this kitchen for a little over a year...and that's if you're ready to start today, which it doesn't sound like that's the case. It's more realistic to say that you'll live with this kitchen for a year, likely less. You need to approach this renovation with the buyer in mind, not your wants.

Also, for many buyers when they look at a house, they are more impressed with granite than with quartz. The majority of buyers also won't know the difference between an entry level granite or an expensive granite, so I wouldn't put in anything other than a nice entry level granite. You won't increase your resale value for a more expensive granite or a quartz, and for the short time you will live with it, it's not worth the extra money.

You need to look at anything you put in beyond the "basic nice" as a living expense for yourself since beyond that won't increase your house selling price...so if it's an extra $1200 to go with a quartz that you like or a basic granite and you're in the home for a year after the kitchen is finished, it has cost you $100 a month to enjoy that countertop. It's up to you to decide if it's worth that. And you need to look at what comps in your area have - most real estate agents will tell you that "granite sells", but not necessarily so much quartz, at least in our area

I would stick with stainless appliances. While stainless may be listed as "on the way out", I'm not certain it will go out any time soon - there's a reason why it's used so extensively in professional kitchens. Again, buy these with an eye to resale, not necessarily your preferences. I wouldn't fuss much about the fridge if it's still working since most people don't expect that it will come with the sale of the home, but it can be a negotiation point if the buyers want it.

All great advice! Thank you everyone. This is so difficult. Andreak100, I know you are right, but I love the.... Okay, will engage head more than the heart and figure this out.

As alluded to above, much depends on where your house stands in the market, its neighborhood and the expectations of the potential local buyers. As such, you should be able to contact a local experienced Realtor. They will be more than happy to offer advice and build a relationship to get that listing.

Many of us knows what sells in our area and neighborhood, but it may not be true in your situation.

Now, disclaimers aside, I would say, despite the hype of the trend masters, the stainless preference has not waned.

As a tip, this time of year is also prime time for looking in the clearance and floor model section of retailers.

Many of us knows what sells in our area and neighborhood

and even regional differences like whether the refrigerator is typically included in the sale (which it is where I live).

Asking a realtor is a good idea. We did in connection with our current remodel, because we expect to be in this home no more than 5-7 years. He told us to go upscale on appliances because they're "expected" in our area, but cabinets can be more midscale (for example, he said, nobody checks whether cabinets are MDF or plywood when they're buying).

Another thing to remember when that "I want...." person comes out - I assume that you are buying another house when you sell yours. It probably WON'T have your dream kitchen. You'll probably want to change it. Do what you need to in order to make your current home attractive for resale, and pocket the additional money that you would have put into the kitchen if it were yours so that you have it to use in your future house.

It's hard. But, take your wants out of the equation. If you can't, it will probably save you money in the long run to hire a kitchen designer to come up with a plan for you (tell the designer that you are doing this for resale, not for you And let that person be the voice of reason when your inner child screams, "But, I want..."

And keep repeating to yourself, "This isn't for you." any time you are contemplating making a decision that isn't the least expensive reasonable option.

Don't disregard what you love too much. That's probably what you will do well. And done well will sell.

Since your time frame for remaining in that home is so short, I would think like a seller, not like a homeowner. A seller looks at the cold hard facts that relate to his bottom line, not with his heart and emotions for enjoying the pleasure of his sanctuary. I would look for one of the top selling agents in your neighborhood with a history of selling quickly. Then consult with that person and use them as your agent when the time to sell comes. Five years ago, my agent advised me to stick with the inexpensive basics -- clean, repair, declutter, paint, update light fixtures, new carpet and leave the remodel to the next homeowner. I was the original owner of a 35 year old house with an outdated kitchen. Since the formica was in good shape, she even advised me to leave that as well as the original appliances. Without her, my original plans had been the same as yours, to paint cabs,new appliances, and counters. Well, the house sold immediately for more than I expected. The situation may be different for this market, or your neighborhood, but an expert agent is looking at your home with an entirely different eye than you. My advice is to do no more than necessary and save your money for the next home.

Again, all good advice. We do have an active and reputable realtor involved and she has provided us with a punch list. The advice was to repaint the cabs (professionally if possible - and ours is a professional cabinet painting only service), supply new basic appliances (several don't even work!) and install granite. In our area, if you don't have a kitchen that at least looks somewhat updated, the buyers won't even come look at the house. They will click right past the thumbnail image and move on. So I'm comfortable with providing a facelift.

Yes to the counters, entry level granite is the way to go. I will save my beloved quartz for our new residence. Thank you for talking me off the ledge.

Look at what new builds at your price point and above have. Also look at comparables of your price range and higher have. In my neck of the woods, low-level granite is out, quartz and especially marble are IN. Even if the latter is not terribly practical, it's what people want.