Gosh, anything that is not permanently attached in a home shouldn't be a deal breaker when trying to sell. Buyer can replace it if they choose IMO.

Don't go to the expense of a new fridge unless you've completely remodeled the kitchen just for selling. If you're going for an updated "look," counter depth and French door would be a good option. I think most people would be happy to select their own fridge rather than be stuck with a brand new one that they never would have chosen but feel obligated to keep because it is new.

I would prefer the french door version, but it wouldn't deter me what the fridge

was if I really really liked the house. It could always be sold off and buy the one

I want. That being said, don't buy a new fridge unless it's a total remodel.

I don’t like either and IMO if the fridge you have works and is the same finish as the rest of the appliances save the money.

If you really feel compelled to spend (others have indicated why you shouldn’t), it depends on the kitchen layout. If the logical offloading/uploading place for the fridge is next to the fridge, French doors are clumsy. Opening the door creates a barrier to the counter right next to it (imagine a mountain of groceries next to the fridge and you have to grab an item, go around d the door to put it away, then come back—wouldn’t it be easier if the fridge opening was right next to the groceries?). But if the fridge is next to an island, then no problem as the island counter is that spot (also, because the door is smaller, the aisle is blocked less by it).

When selling, I have found that new appliances get an excellent ROI at the time of sale in addition to attracting buyers particularly in a first time home buyer house or first move up buyer home. However, if you are at the other end of the market - high end or close to it, then having new appliances doesn't necessarily result in any return at all because that buyer has choices and wants to exercise those choices :) What is your target market? First timers? First move up home? Or is your current home a luxury home?

BTW, my vote is for French Door, most particularly for the first time homebuyer and the first time move up buyers that I discussed above. I'm a Realtor and I see new appliances and their impact on the house pricing regularly in the various markets.

This is my rental property. It’s a total gut and remodel job in the kitchen. I believe the kitchen and the appliances are a big selling factor.

The house would probably appeal to first time homebuyers or young couples. That’s not to say empty-nesters wouldn’t be interested.

Given your target market, first time home buyers, then yes. New appliances and a new kitchen are worth it - as long as you don't go overboard in your budget. First time buyers are typically broke after they purchase their first home and don't have the money or the expertise to make changes. This broad statement doesn't apply to every first time homebuyer, but a large portion of them.

I had a closing about 10 days ago where my client did the exact same thing as you are planning to do (sell rental property) - except he only replaced the appliances and the island and left the original kitchen from 1999 intact. We sold in 9 days to a first time homebuyer and closed in less than 30 days. We were able to get top dollar for the neighborhood even though we are in the middle of a Covid-19 lockdown. Choose your updates wisely.

I had to update the kitchen and the bathrooms. Renting was hard on the house. And I want to get top dollar. My dilemma is do I get a side-by-side refrigerator or French doors. I want to know what’s in style. it’s a little challenging because I’m trying not to do what I like but what is currently in vogue.

Ask your Realtor too.

In my market there is no contest - French doors win over side-by-side refrigerators.

I hate SBS, but never have had a FD, so I don't know if it would be better or not. Seems to be more stylish today though.

A French door is definitely what's in style and has more of a wow factor to it, especially for your target market. Most people I know or have heard express an opinion love them. Having said that, I prefer a SxS and always have. But, a FD would not dissuade me from buying in the least.

Our home had a new side by side when we bought it. It wouldn't have been my choice but certainly didn't factor in since we loved the house. That was 6 years ago and the fridge is still here. It's actually worked out much better than I expected. It's fairly large which helps. That being said, I'll likely replace it with a French door when the time comes.

Have had 9 houses, most were old and had SxS fridge. I entertain a lot and often struggled with large platters. My last 2 homes both had french doors, one counter depth, one not, I love being able to open both doors and deal with my platters.

I'd go with a counter depth French door fridge. We've always had an extra fridge in the garage that's worked out nicely for us.

You can't fit a pizza box or cookie sheet in a side by side. You can't fit a lot of things in side by side. I've lived with one for decades and am so happy to have switched to a french door.

Depends on the pizza. I can fit a typical Red Baron or Tony's frozen pizza box in my SxS's freezer section, it slips in to sit on the support rails above either of two baskets. An extra-large pizza/box such as from the WM deli section, no.

I just went through this process with our rental property. Personally, I like French doors better but when you compare the French door style versus side-by-side, the SBS are quite a bit less expensive. For me, counter-depth, a stainless-steel finish and a water dispenser were features I was looking for. Within those parameters, I chose reliability, ratings and cost over style and bought a more highly rated SBS fridge for significantly less than a FD. Plus, I knew that the tenants had a fridge in the garage if they needed more storage.

No problem with cookie sheets or pizza boxes in our side by side.

It is totally different when replacing appliances for tenants vs replacing appliances to sell to a first time home buyer. For tenants you can go with the bottom to mid range cost effective fridge. For first time home buyers go with the mid range fridge but the FD version. it pays off in your bottom line.

If you have designed the kitchen for a french door fridge, buy one as they are considered more desirable. If your fridge sits next to a wall, your choices are limited to whatever fridge actually opens completely. You haven't mentioned what you expect to be the listing price. In areas with higher prices, it makes more sense to go with more desirable appliances even if they coat more. But, if the price is 100K or 150K, I'm not sure that the price bump will pay for the upgrade. In that case, I would go for the clearance model whatever style it happened to be

Personally, I have a counter depth side by side and thought I wanted a french door style until I had a good look at the freezer drawer. I know my family and a freezer with a drawer that must be shut correctly wouldn't do so well with my DH and his force it shut act.

What will matter to buyers is it is a new appliance, clean and sparkling.

In my current house, I have a side by side and I don't like how narrow the freezer is. But it is the best design for the curent kitchen. In the new build, I'm going with a counter depth french door. While I agree with most who say that people won't not buy a house because of the refrigerator design, if you have the choice, why not go with what is most sought after now? I'd go with french door.

Here's what I bought:

GE Profile 22.1 cu. ft. French Door Refrigerator with Autofill in Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel, Counter Depth

Here are all the appliances.

Oh good! I just caught this thread, and voted for FD. I think obviously there are varieties and different needs but I think overall, I think if given the choice, most people would prefer FD.

(and yes, new appliances are always appealing!).

Very nice! I have a similar stove and I love the slide in style. Best of luck with your sale.