I decorate homes severe day, if you are selling, de clutter everything, no nick knacks, family photos etc, I would choose a lite granite that has minimal movement as dark colors with movement can be off putting when nothing else has been updated, ...lowes and Home Depot both have stainless steal appliance packages you can get all appliances for under $2000

I would not redo the floors, let the buyer decide, darker floors show every bit of lint and dirt

Darker floors with light would does not look good unless it's painted white cabinets or gray cabinets.

Thank you for the help. I like the idea of light granite with minimal movement. If we choose to re-do the wood floors, what color or stain do you suggest (if any)? They have turned kind of yellow now. Would you leave them natural and just do satin poly to coat/protect?

I agree don't do anything but Mack sure it is declutter end and clean.

I also agree. I wouldn't spend the money to do those changes. How do you know what the buyer will like? Some people do not like stainless, some like dark floors, some light, etc. I would keep it as is and just remove the clutter. Good luck selling!

Totally agree to leave it alone and just clean well. Granite is a very individual decision. If you have just put in new granite and the prospective buyer does not like it, they will feel stuck with it because it is new - and that is not good. Lower the price by the cost of the upgrades or include a cash amount to upgrade the kitchen counters in your listing. Keep floors neutral. Lighter floors are coming back and neutral is the most versatile - it goes with most styles. Refinish them if they are in bad shape, otherwise leave them alone - and rethink your realtor:)

We decided to keep the floors the same color, but have them re-done. Will go light for counters. What do you think about the appliances? They are 13 years old, and although I don't love the black, I don't know if it is worth swapping them out for stainless?

Last question-what about the paint color once we have light counters? I am thinking offwhite/light color for counters.

Don't do the counter and appliance upgrades. That will cost you many thousands of dollars (and time and headaches) - when instead you could just knock off a few thousand from the price (assuming it'll be priced appropriately), and that's only IF the potential buyers suggest a price decrease. They may have a full home renovation in mind, and could be looking for exactly what you're offering today. :-) Don't upgrade! Save that money for your new home. Good luck.

I would de-clutter, get rid of almost everything on the counters. Maybe invest in a pretty roman shade. Blinds are dating it. Take stuff off top of cabs. Lower the picture. k cups in the drawers. Maybe a prettier small rug. Your kitchen is nice. I actually prefer black with that color cabinet.

I've seen brand new granite yanked out by buyers. The type of granite is a very personal choice: not everyone will like it. You have a neutral countertop now that can easily be replaced by new owners. The kitchen is lovely and needs only decluttering, and a new Roman shade.

I would seriously have a second talk with the real estate agent about what is warranted in your market. You've gotten excellent suggestions above.

May I suggest that you clear off all but three objects on the counters, pull up the window shade, remove the rug, take stuff off the top of cabinets, and then post new photos? You can pile everything on the kitchen table while taking photos.

Perhaps you should compile a list of everything that she wants you to do and research prices. It sounds like an awful lot of money and I'm not sure that you would benefit. Take a look at a couple of open houses and go back and rate your house. Sit down with a paper and write down what you remembered about each home - the good and bad. Use that information for your home. But like most people said - de-clutter your countertops, bookshelves, bathrooms, etc. Clean your windows inside and out....I think those things are the most important...

If I had a real estate agent that gave me advice like that I'd wonder what kind of kickbacks he or she were getting from the flooring/counter/appliance guys.

Seriously, it doesn't matter how you decorate your house, someone won't like it. Sure, if it's all shiny new it will probably sell more quickly-- which means less work for your real estate agent. But it certainly won't mean more money for you! Any increase in the selling price increases the agent's commission. But unless the increase grossly outweighs the cost of improvements, it doesn't benefit you at all.

When a buyer goes to an open house, they are trying to picture their life in your space. So you want to make your space less "yours" and more generic. That's why all the clutter of everyday life has to go. That's why an agent may suggest painting a boldly-coloured room beige. That's why finishing any small fixes that you've been putting off is necessary. But spending thousands to update a perfectly nice kitchen?! That's bats. I'd be looking for a new agent.

All that money you would spend may make that real estate agent's job a lot easier. It costs your agent nothing when you pour thousands of dollars into the home you are moving out of. It Good deal for her. No skin off her teeth.