The non kitchen obsessed general public things we are all geniuses to suggest cutting down a divisive bar height sitting area to counter height, in order to increase their work area in the same footprint. Induction might as well be suggesting magic.

I think a "heavy-hitter" real estate agent would be aware of an induction appliance. It's the buyer that will decide whether or not they value having an induction range. Many buyers to prefer a commercial kitchen look and induction cooktop/range doesn't provide that appearance.

Hmm, I’m shocked to see that only four states are majority gas cooking.

https://www.statista.com/chart/amp/29082/most-common-type-of-stove-in-the-us/

Speaking of regional, maybe my being from NY explains why I think of gas as preferred. Having lived with both, for me it would come down to the indovidual unit more than the energy source. I’ve had no experience with induction but would like to!

I'm shocked, shocked to find that induction is going on in here!

“Hmm, I’m shocked to see that only four states are majority gas cooking.”

Not to nitpick, but as read the map, I see 5 states in yellow, not 4: California, Nevada, Illinois, NY and NJ.

Speaking just for NY State, well, at least downstate…gas is less expensive than electricity. By a lot. I’m guessing that’s one reason people are reluctant to switch to induction.

As far as the cities in NY go, apartment buildings are mostly not equipped to handle the extra power induction would require. Landlords are reluctant to spend the money needed to upgrade the building’s electric. Thus, switching out gas for induction is forbidden.

On Long Island, where I live, Hurricane Sandy put the fear of going all electric in most folks minds. Having lost power for two weeks, in cold weather, we were thankful to have had a gas range. Unlike those of our neighbors with various types of electric ranges, we were able to cook. In fact, DH wound up cooking breakfast for many of our neighbors, every morning.

When we moved in 2016, (just a mile down the road), I wanted to put in induction when we renovated the kitchen. However, DH, who does all of the cooking, refused. He kept referring to the possibility of losing power for long stretches, should another Sandy-like storm hit. Besides, he just loves cooking with fire. I got everything else I wanted in the new kitchen, so I didn’t fight the gas range top.

I find that I am constantly having to explain induction to people when I talk about my kitchen remodel. For that matter, I also have to explain the concept of a single-bowl sink.

Why do you even need to explain to anyone? Under what situation are people making you defend your kitchen choices? I am trying to imagine the conversation - someone coming over for coffee or lunch and saying "what on earth is this single bowl sink?!" OK, I am being a little sarcastic - sorry, but the point is that you should not have to explain your kitchen choices to anyone. It's YOUR kitchen, and your house.

These things are definitely regional. Though if Midwest would mean Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee and other Midwestern cities with a big food scene, then both induction and single-bowl sinks have been commonplace for many years.

As to the realtor, despite whatever reputation he has, the reality is that no buyer would ever turn down an otherwise nice house because of an induction range. I think this realtor wanted to sound important and as if he has some kind of super-special-secret insight. But no buyer would ever say "What? An induction range! I am outta here!" And if you are planning to sell in the near future, it is a sellers' market. People are buying run-down homes at high prices, and there are multiple bidders on nice houses. Do NOT for a moment think your induction range has any effect on your home sale.

@darbuka Ha, yeah, I missed NJ without my readers. You make a good point about NYC. The need to update elecric can apply in to a home, too.

Funny, of all my Sandy memories, how/what we ate is not among them. My cooktop and oven were definitely not working, so probably a lot of microwaving. I can live on junk long enough to where I wouldn’t let a power outage here on LI affect my choices, but I understand others feeling differently. I’m on bottled gas at this time.

If you are employing a "heavy hitter" agent who moves upscale homes, then I assume you are trying to sell to a demographic who can well afford to switch out to a showplace gas range if they really, really want one. That demographic also tends to do their homework before investing, so might well decide that an existing induction range is a great feature. I'd leave your range, and leave it to the agent to point out your space can be easily converted to gas if desired.

@foodonastump, how did you use a microwave (during Sandy), without electricity? 🤔🤔🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Not too long ago, Governor Hochul attempted to pass a state wide law, outlawing future gas range instillations…including in NYC. Boy, did she get pushback! So much so, that it has yet to come to fruition.

As for theresa21’s predicament, and question…I’d be surprised if a potential home purchaser would nix the house just because of an induction cooking surface. That is, as long as the rest of the house were in good condition. It may encourage potential buyers to investigate/read and learn about induction…which would be a good thing.

How long it will take for induction to be more the norm, will depend on how exposed one is to HGTV and Houzz, and how progressive an area is. I’m not talking about politics, but rather how open to new ideas a populous is.

@darbuka - By sheer luck I was given a portable generator weeks before the storm, by someone who switched to whole house. I wired it to my boiler for heat and hot water, fridge, TV/DVD and a couple lights. Not more because I also ran cords to neighbors‘ houses for light use. Would unplug the fridge to use the MW, coffee maker and toaster oven.

@foodonastump, Lucky You!

We bought our new house knowing that it had a large gas range that we would replace asap. Other factors, such as the land, were more important to us.

I find that I am constantly having to explain induction to people when I talk about my kitchen remodel. For that matter, I also have to explain the concept of a single-bowl sink.

@M Miller Thanks for catching my sloppiness. I should have worded it better, so as to not make it seem like I am complaining. My acquaintances (friends and family) are curious about my choices and want to learn more. Some have stated that they could never give up their double-bowl sink or gas range, which is fine by me. It's all good and normal conversation. I was just trying to say that there are a lot of people who just don't know about or understand induction, or they question why anyone would choose a single-bowl sink. My induction range could be mistaken for electric, so it honestly doesn't draw too much attention, but the sink stands out because it is white cast iron sink with grates, it's not especially big, but because there is no divider, they often say, "your sink is so big," so there are questions about that. There were many discussion about choosing an induction range when I was remodeling because appliances were hard to order during the pandemic, and my husband was not sold on induction--I probably talked about it too much during the remodel.

It sounds like the real estate agent was looking for SOMETHING to criticize as a way to prove his “expertise”. I’m guessing your house is lovely and “ready to list”. It would turn me off if an agent - who is looking for me to be his client - acted that way.

I own a single bowl farmhouse sink and love it. I never wanted a double bowl and others can’t live without theirs. Same with stoves/cooktops/ranges. They don’t sell houses and don’t prevent the sale of houses. Location, house size, school systems, commute to work, nearness of family and land are bigger factors.

I would interview other realtors. You would be an important client to someone else who will work their tail off for you.

On induction: My sister must be a style maker because she had induction years ago and now has a Wolf range in her condo. And she doesn’t cook anymore 🤣. (I’d kill for her Wolf…). She swears by induction. Those who love them will be thrilled your house has it, and if not, they’ll install whatever they want. After one electric stove, I swore to my husband we had to have gas or I’ll go on strike. I don’t have a Wolf stove, but I’m glad I have gas.

When I sold my apartment in 2013, there were realtors, and potential buyers who

1) did not like the kitchen because it had "No Dishwasher"

2) "Could Not Find the Refrigerator".

It was a paneled DW, and an integrated fridge. In their defense the fridge was right outside the kitchen door in the LR/DR, so maybe they didn't look too hard.

I took to putting Post-It notes on the two saying "This is the Refrigerator/the DW".

I had two realtors ask how we got the regular doors off the front and replaced them with wood.

I live in a major metropolitan area in the middle of the city, not in some backwoods area. None of these realtors were amateurs and a number of the people who showed the unit are very successful. Integrated appliances were outliers at my price point, but I would still have expected more familiarity with them at that date.

Who knows how long it will be until induction is common place. I was surprised to find several induction ranges on display at Costco recently so they must be catching on. In October I looked at, and subsequently bought, a house with a radiant electric cooktop. During the showing my broker was quick to point out how easy it would be to run a gas line to install a gas cooktop even though I didn't say anything about the cooktop. I told him that wouldn't be necessary because I'd be replacing it with induction. He said nothing and looked at me like I had two heads.

@palimpsest, that's pretty funny that they thought there wasn't a DW or fridge. I was already thinking that I might put a post-it note on the range explaining that it is induction.

To others who questioned the realtor's motives, I think that you want your realtor to be honest in assessing your property. He didn't mention the range at all in his final assessment of the property. I believe he really only wanted to know if gas was possible should anyone ask. If I sign with him, we'll have the induction discussion, but it certainly won't be a priority, because the range is absolutely not a deal breaker. The realtor had plenty of outstanding things to say about my property. Having said that, no house is perfect. He emphasized where my house shines and mentioned a few areas where it was lacking. He never once told me that I needed to fix or change anything. He commented that the house was move-in-ready, and that the property and its location were A+. I was pleased with his assessment, but of course I will bring in other realtors to gain more insight.

I'm in NJ, gas is very common here and for the reasons that Darbuka mentioned I still prefer it over induction.

I just, in 2019, replaced my coil top range with a smooth top. Not induction. I did not want either, but my range could not be repaired. I did not want induction, because I would have to replace all my pots and pans except fot my cast iron skillets and rewire the house.

I will never have gas inside my house. I do have it on the patio and I did have it in the camper. I do NOT like gas.

I've never had a gas range/stove/cooktop/oven and my parents have always had electric (except probably gas in their first apartment and rental house). I used Granny's gas range on occasion, didn't care for it, too much active heat waste into the kitchen.

@theresa21 - After re-reading your OP perhals I was too hard on the realtor. It’s quite possible he knew all about induction but was curious about gas availability knowing many prefer it to traditional electric and aren’t familiar with induction. I certainly inquired about gas in every house where I saw oil and electric.

I have had this Bosch induction range for two months and I love it —
Looks pretty industrial to me

https://www.bosch-home.com/us/productslist/cooking-baking/slide-in-ranges/induction-slide-in-ranges/HIS8055U#/Togglebox=accessories/Togglebox=manuals/Togglebox=accessoriesOthers/

Use whichever realtor makes you feel the most comfortable.

Myriad things help sell houses. Old house lovers don’t give a hoot about dishwashers, gas or induction cooktops - they want original details intact. Families need bedrooms and bathrooms and playrooms.

You need your house marketed so it sells quickly. Perhaps we misunderstood the realtor’s reaction to the induction, but how you feel about working with him is what matters.

Now that I have induction, I’d pay more for a house that has it. Realtor doesn’t seem to have heard of induction.

I have told all my family members that have electric cooktops how great induction is. Guess what? Most don't care, because at the end of the day, the food tastes the same. And you're right, most people don't know what I am talking about.

The cost may be a deterrent for most people …also the fact that most people don’t eat 3 meals at home these days..seniors and people with busy lives …may not want to learn a new way to cook…adding most people will have toaster ovens and microwaves..and find them sufficient for their needs..however in new builds ..they may be a plus…🤷🏻‍♀️

What cost of consequence is involved if an induction cooktop or range is already installed in a house of consideration for purchase?

The cost and inconvenience of removing it and of replacement if a buyer does not want induction…

We will be removing the large gas range in our new house and replacing it with an induction range. Same difference.

@leah8881 that's great news and a definite indication that the tide has shifted, as most of the buyers that would be interested in my property would be from the Chicago suburbs. Interesting that he is so out of touch.

Doesn't induction require certain cookware to be used? That could be a deterrent as well. The same old pots and pans work on an electric or a gas stove, but induction requires enameled or ceramic-clad pots.

@RedRyder Not true that induction requires enameled or ceramic-clad pots. I only lost the use of one aluminum pot when I switched over. I use stainless steel, enameled steel, cast iron and enamel cast iron. Most of my pots and pans are very old. You can test your pots with a magnet. If the magnet attaches you are good to go.

When we redid our kitchen in 2010 I wanted induction but didn't want to have to buy new pots and pans so went with the smooth cooktop. THis time around I'm not letting the cost of new pots and pans deter me from induction. Most people here are switching to induction when replacing their ranges and I have 2 friends who have switched from gas to induction even though there was nothing wrong with their gas ranges.

I think it's just market dependent regarding the knowledge of induction.

I was able to keep half my pans—probably the most expensive ones. I did have two favorite Calphalon aluminum pans, the Everyday pan and a bigger deeper version of it. The big one was nice because it wasn’t terribly heavily. The one I lost that surprised me greatly was an All Clad large sauté pan, five ply I think. It looked like stainless steel but as I checked after the fact a magnet would not stick. Still glad I have induction.

Good to know @theresa21 that most old pots and pans could work on induction. Obviously my perception would make me prejudiced so maybe other people have the same misinformation I had (?).

I don’t understand why having to (potentially) buy new pots and pans is a deterrent to an induction range. To me, it‘s a plus! Yea! Shiny new pots and pans! I am trying to find a reason to get new ones without the change to induction. I have Calphalon so decent quality. But wouldn’t mind having an excuse to get some new ones.

I considered my kitchen remodel a fresh start for my cooking habit -- so all the old pots and pans were donated, and a new set of induction-capable pots and pans was acquired. I am thrilled!

I did hate discarding our copper clad cookware.

He might be totally out of touch, but It is astute of him to ask about the ease of gasline installation. For some, not having a gas range would be a deal breaker. Two years ago my friends sold and had to reduce the cost by $5k for the buyer to add in a gas line for the stove. I think knowledge of induction depends on what part of the country you live in. Chicago is pretty hit or miss with everything - contemporary and up to date in some regards and middle America in others so your experience doesn't surprise me. (I lived there for a decade.)

I used a heavy-hitter realtor and learned that it was all smoke and mirrors. I rejected all of his staging advice, listing price, and negotiation tactics and ended up creating a nice bidding war and higher than asking price with no inspection!

There are some precautions for cooking on an induction stove top IF you have a pacemaker or other implanted heart device. Some mfg recommend staying at arm's length from the cooking area as the electromagnetic field may affect the pacemaker.

Sounds like your realtor knows the market, what people like in a certain price range etc and he knows the question will come up. Nothing wrong with him being prepared to answer it...his job is not to convince a buyer that induction is better/worse/indifferent.,.his job is to sell the house. I have zero interest in induction, and if I were looking for a house, gas would be a top priority...but I believe that a great realtor would show me some homes with induction also with an estimate on how much to convert to gas.

We just had a new kitchen installed in Northern CA and we plumbed for a new high-end commercial-grade gas range/oven made by Dacor and we also installed a Wolf induction cooktop next to the gas range. Best of both worlds. We installed a 1200 cfm Wolf flush-mount ceiling exhaust over the ranges and the entire ensemble works spectacularly. Regarding the commentary herein about realtors not fully grasping the benefits of induction...why on Earth in this day and age with the available online real estate marketing toolsets would anybody hire a realtor? Already it's easy to find and fund a mortgage online without using a broker, hire a title/escrow agent online, and to find a home or to market one online, so why waste commission to a realtor...especially one of the luddite variety who can't distinguish and grasp induction? Haha. The AI technological tidal wave now cresting will have the entire industry automated right out of a profession. You'll see.

Sellers want real estate professionals for a lot of reasons - showing your home when you’re not there for one. Giving you a good assessment of what is a sellable price (not necessarily what you want to sell it for) and adding value to how it presents through staging, rearranging and decluttering.

People on this forum are VERY house savvy. Not everyone is.

Seriously?..you really think that seeking professional help when making the likely largest purchase of your life…

that you don’t need the help of a pro?..to usher you thru all the intricate steps..be sure the asking price is justified….is familiar with previous sales in the area…and is aware of any potential concerns the buyer does not reveal?…

knowing about induction is not the only qualification needed to sell homes….we live in the Northern California mountains…where there a lot of properties with lots of questionable features that may not be obvious to a buyer without a knowledge of the history of the property that a local realtor would have…

Do you pull your kids teeth with pliers…or go to a dentist🤷🏻‍♀️

" .why on Earth in this day and age with the available online real estate marketing toolsets would anybody hire a realtor? "

Because a) they have professional connections I don't, b) they can show the house when I'm not there, c) they know the market and its local requirements and needs, d) they will bring in a wider range of potential buyers (more with a realtor than without), e) to help with the legal and financial steps to make sure the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed.

f) they may have a (long) list of serious, vetted buyers they're already working to find homes for.

The same old pots and pans work on an electric or a gas stove, but induction requires enameled or ceramic-clad pots.

Actually ceramic will not work. Neither will aluminum.

You need any pot that a magnet can attach to.

There are some precautions for cooking on an induction stove top IF you have a pacemaker or other implanted heart device. Some mfg recommend staying at arm's length from the cooking area as the electromagnetic field may affect the pacemaker.

Again most likely incorrect.

My DH had a 20+ year old pacemaker when we built this house. I wanted induction, not gas so I called his pacemaker company and asked them regarding induction. The advice we were given was that as long as his pacemaker was more than 6" (yes 6 inches) from the hob, he'd be fine.

Two years ago he got a brand new pacemaker and with the way they are protected now, he has no issues at all.

It all depends on your market. I would say in most high end markets, people want gas stoves. The realtors usually know the market in your area. Electric will be more popular in most areas because average and lower homes usually have electric stoves, but that is not what you are trying to sell.

To the vast majority of people Electric and Induction are the same thing...to the realtors point people will look at your listing on realtor.com or Zillow and see that it is an electric range.