I'm planning to sell my house soon and I've been advised to replace my outdated orange Formica countertops with something more neutral, like laminate. My question is: is it worth the effort and cost to update the countertops now, or should I leave them as is, considering the new owners might want to redo everything themselves?
3 Answers
Your realtor likely knows the local market well. While neutral countertops could help, keep in mind that some buyers might plan to renovate the kitchen anyway. If it makes the kitchen look too 'dated' compared to newer changes, it might not even matter. I'd say weigh your options and see if the cost fits your budget!
Instead of replacing, how about offering a credit for replacement? This way, buyers can choose exactly what they want, and you can avoid the hassle of mismatched upgrades. Plus, it gets your house on the market faster without the stress of renovations!
If your Formica countertops are still usable, you might be better off leaving them for the buyer. Most people appreciate the chance to make their own updates, and a few scratches shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Just make sure the rest of the kitchen is welcoming to prospective buyers.

Yeah, they're definitely usable, just not in style anymore.