The Real estate market of 2023 in San Luis Obispo County was either a Boon or a Bust for you, depending on who you are. If you were a buyer or a lender, it might have been a tough year. If you were a seller, or a listing agent, it was an amazing year.
Interest and Inventory were the buzzwords of everyone involved in the industry. The average number of single-family residences for sale in North San Luis Obispo County was often under 150 units and was running at about a 2-month supply most of the year. We sold 900 homes in 2023 compared with 1122 single-family units in 2022. The average interest rate was 6.875% when just a year prior, they could be found around 5.3%. The median price of a home sold ni Paso Robles ni 2023 was $700,000.
When a listing came on the market, it would sell on average in 19 days or less. And buyers, dependent on low-interest rates, had a tough time securing the right property because of competition with cash buyers, who made up almost 30% of the sales last year. But predictions are that interest rates will drop in 2024 and that inventory will be up as much as 20%.
Despite the more difficult real estate market, everyone seems to love Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo County for so many reasons! The Paso Robles area received 2.2 million visitors during the year. This was great news for wineries, commercial properties, and the hotel industry.
Commercial and Industrial property sales and leases have remained relatively unchanged in the past year. There is a higher demand for smaller industrial-type spaces for single-owner businesses, and these will lease and sell very quickly when priced right. However, larger industrial buildings, 3ot 4,000 sq feet and higher, are taking longer to move. Hotel construction is proceeding at a fast pace within downtown Paso, along Highway 101, and on the Eastside. There are many projects on the books which locals will see under construction in the months ahead.
There were some large corporate purchases of wineries in our area this past year, including Daou at almost 1 Billion dollars and Denner at approximately $40 million. These corporate buys represent the confidence these corporations have in our region both now and into the future. Beyond the purchase of a piece of dirt and buildings, these represent a buy into the Paso Robles brand: the area, the climate, the culture, and the beauty. Paso Robles grows 9% of the wine grapes produced in California.
A slow but meaningful recovery is predicted over the next year. Economists are optimistic because delinquencies are at a historic low, and buyers’ credit scores are the highest in a decade. There is also a two-year backlog of both buyers and sellers waiting for the right market to make their move. Good job and wage growth is expected in 2024, and as we look around, it can be seen that North County is venturing out into other industries which will provide head of household jobs in the coming years.
Beyond the high interest rate/low inventory story of last year, this area continues to be underpriced for the quality of life that is offered here. You can have a quiet, beautiful place to live, with a good economic future and some of the best weather the world has to offer, right here on the Central Coast. You are fortunate if you own a home here, and if you don’t. right now is a great time to buy. The prices will never be better than today. Call me!
This past year has been a roller coaster as we have seen many homes sold in a day with multiple offers and at year end, with interest rates the highest in 20 years, buyers seem to be pulling back and waiting for sunnier days. Homes in North County appreciated 7+% and the median price rose from $630,000 in January to $675,000 at year end. During the last quarter of 2022, the number of single family real estate sales dropped almost 50% compared with that same time frame in 2021. New listings dropped 32% from year to year. And mortgage rates have risen into the high 6% category.
Going into 2023 it appears that we will have a bumpy ride at least in the first quarter. The main issue we will face is supply. And it is demand, even with high interest rates, that will keep current values from eroding. The demand for this area is related to events of the past 2 years. Quality of life overtook housing affordability as a buyer’s main reason for relocating. The urban areas to our North and South continue to deteriorate in living conditions and we will therefore continue to see urban refugees relocating here. Even with higher interest rates remaining into 2023, the Central Coast of California is still a great value for these buyers. Therefore, we expect moderate demand, an increase of cash and high cash purchases, and more stable pricing.
There is no prediction that current values of homes will erode. New construction is picking up but will not materially impact the supply deficit in 2023. Home owners with ultra-low mortgage rates seem to be unwilling to sell, even when in a good equity position. The concern is the inability to find something better and less costly than where they currently reside. And if you are going to live in California, it is hard to find a quality of life that is better than this area.
Paso Robles is a dynamic force in the California wine industry. Major American and International companies are investing in large long-term positions in local vineyards and wineries. Agriculture tourism has exploded on the Central Coast which fuels our hospitality industry. Vineyard and winery sales have been steady throughout the last year with strong pricing. Fruit seems to be in a balanced economic position despite last year’s short crop. Vineyard replanting costs and farming costs have significantly increased.
Commercial real estate in North County will hold its own in the face of higher interest rates and economic uncertainties. Multi-family product will continue to be in strong demand for investors. Warehouse and Industrial product should be stable. Retail is recovering and office product will still be tepid from a demand standpoint.
But single family housing is the gold standard. Even with a lower level of appreciation, owning a home is a better wealth builder than any other investment. Not all real estate is created equal. Many regions in the country may see double digit percentage value drops. But our local economy will showcase our resiliency and desirability in San Luis Obispo County.
Spring is in the air and it’s that time of year when we typically see lots of new properties come on the market. But we are currently seeing a historically low amount of inventory. As of this writing there are 71 single family properties for sale in the combined towns of Paso Robles, Templeton and Atascadero. But market conditions will be changing once again. The first quarter of this year 256 homes were sold in North County which is 32% fewer sales than in 2021.
And the median sale price jumped from $575,000 a year ago to $678,350 today. That is an 18% increase from last year. Even more telling is the current median listed price of $724,000 on new listings coming on the market today. We have 22% fewer homes for sale today than this time last year. Sellers are the winners in today’s market and we continue to see buyers willing to pay top dollar to live in this amazing place.
Commercial property remains a mixed bag, although industrial warehouse demand is strong. Multi-family product is in demand due to the strength in rental pricing and demand. We simply need more housing of all types so rentals are snatched up when they become available.
Ag properties in North County are in demand primarily in the wine grape category. Grape pricing has stabilized at a manageable level for both growers and wineries over the past couple of years. Escalating costs in the labor and materials category pertaining to farming are squeezing margins. Demand for Paso Robles fruit is solid. Water is and will remain the number one long term concern.
Higher end homes are enjoying their finest moment. Large ranch properties, 200 acres and above, are also receiving more interest than ever before. In chaotic environments wealth seeks safety. People don’t like to lose money and high-end quality luxury and ranch products tend to be a preferred alternative to owning riskier assets.
The pandemic shook the confidence of many people and created a feeling of unease and angst. A choked up supply chain, raging inflation, a divided country, crime and war have only added fuel to the emotional fire. These facts are all drivers of our market and a surge for the security of home ownership.
As long as pricing is strong in the urban areas North and South of us, our pricing will remain strong. The supply of homes locally will depend on new construction and the availability of properties in other states such as Idaho, Texas, and Arizona. This supply deficit will not change anytime soon. But what will change our real estate market is the inflationary surge in our economy. Rising interest rates create demand as buyers attempt to find a home before they are priced out of the market entirely.
We live in the most prosperous country in the history of the world. And we are blessed locally with natural resources and local governance that seems to reflect our communities’ ideals. This place is inclusive and welcoming. Urban refugees feel this vibe. We can’t blame them!
Here’s what we already know: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the real estate market has been on a wild ride of unprecedented highs and lows—record-high home prices on one side, record-low mortgage rates and available homes for sale on the other. It’s been a time of overwhelming stress for many, gigantic profits for some, and a myriad of economic, political and health issues worldwide.
We saw nearly 17% appreciation of values in our market in 2022. So real estate has been a great investment for those fortunate enough to own a home. Thankfully for buyers, that frenzied rise in values is predicted to not continue into 2022 and economists are expecting something closer to normal market appreciation of about 5% for the year.
Buyers are actively searching for North County property today. The buying pool may be shallower than a year ago but there is strong Buyer Demand today. This Buyer Demand for product spans all noncommercial properties including homes, acreage, Ranches and vineyards. With low interest rates and historically low inventory levels, it remains an optimum Seller’s Market. Simply put this is the strongest Sellers’ Market since post World War II. Sale prices are stronger than ever before in North County.
The total number of homes sold in 2021, 1,683 units, represents an increase of 7% over 2020. However, the number of sales in the 2021 Fourth Quarter dropped by 73 units, versus the Fourth Quarter 2020. Listings for sale plunged in the Fourth Quarter to the point that there were only 10 available homes for sale in Paso Robles near year end. The median sale price surged to $629,000 year over year with the Fourth Quarter median price hitting $660,000. Prices will not be going down in the coming months. In our office we are seeing many more people making plans to sell their homes. These Sellers will be successful and achieve strong prices.
2022 North County Real Estate Forecast
As interest rates rise, which will happen sometime this Spring as the Fed raises rates to hold down inflation, more Sellers will likely venture onto the market to take advantage of strong prices. Some Buyers may want to secure a great inflation hedge where other Buyers may back away due to rising prices and interest rates.
Rental rates are predicted to rise by 7% which reflects the lack of new construction and available homes for sale. The residential single-family home is becoming a luxury item.
Adding to the confusion is the continuation of the migrations that began with COVID in 2020. The pandemic has caused many to rethink their plans to relocate and many to move up their plans to move. Retirees are seeking more affordable areas to live and remote work has increased demand for larger homes. Fruit prices are strong and demand for vineyard and winery properties is solid. Agricultural properties are currently more stable than housing prices. Low interest rates and planting restrictions have provided a strong foundation for wine grape properties. Operating expenses are rising and labor is always an issue. The reputation of our area for quality wines and fruit continues to rise.
One could argue that North County is an optimum place to own Real Estate in California. Our two primary feeder markets are the Bay Area and Southern California. Those areas are still significantly more expensive and less desirable to live than North County. North County people usually migrate out of state. These Sellers are replaced by the Urban Refugees buying product and a lifestyle that is more affordable and more liveable.
2nd Quarter Real Estate Review – North San Luis Obispo County
This 2021 second quarter Real Estate Report, for North County, reflects the remarkable surge in demand for properties in our Community. The pricing numbers far surpass any historical comparisons. Our economic recovery is in full swing with different levels of activity in certain property categories.
450 homes sold in the second quarter which is 50% more sales than the pandemic influenced 305 sales at this time last year. The median sales price climbed a whopping 27% to $649,000 from $510,000.
Inventory is shrinking with only 150 available homes for sale today in the North County. That inventory number represents 2 ½ months’ worth of homes. A balanced market generally has 6 to 7 months of inventory. In 2007 we had 1200 homes for sale in North County. This is a reflection of more than just a low interest rate.
There is more Commercial activity today than at any time in recent years. Commercial pricing has not been inflated which makes projects more attractive. Developers are looking to do multi-family, industrial, and hotel projects. Retail and office demand remains tepid. Large Ranch properties are seeing growing interest from Buyers.
Some larger residential projects are nearing or at groundbreaking status. Material costs and COVID have delayed some of these projects. We think that smaller builders will get back into the game as material costs drop and demand remains firm. Buildable in-fill lots are beginning to look attractive for spec development.
Our wine sales have been very good. Tourism has rebounded and it’s stronger than ever historically. Grape pricing is much stronger going into this harvest. There are a handful of vineyard properties for sale and activity is at a moderate level. There remains a gap between Seller price expectations and what Buyers are willing to pay for vineyard properties.
What is going on? Where is the tipping point?
There is currently no let-up in the migration out of the urban areas. A strong economy, low interest rates, and strong personal savings are continuing to fuel this market wherein multiple offers on a home are now commonplace.
New FHA 40 Year Loan Program
Real estate prices in both Los Angeles and the Bay Area remain strong which provides the capital to existing homeowners to secure their dream in our very desirable area. But the cost of homeownership for first-time homebuyers is getting so high that first-time homebuyers are not able to make that initial purchase. As a result, FHA is introducing a 40 year home loan program beginning sometime in October. This should help those first-time buyers and continue this seller market trend for an extended time. And as COVID wanes and people are feeling more comfortable leaving their nests, we should have more sellers in North County.
Home buying demand has been fierce in North County since June 2020. San Luis Obispo County is experiencing a generational shift in Real Estate demand and activity. A seemingly perfect storm of low-interest rates, remote workplace options, deteriorating urban environments, and the high cost of city living have created an exodus of urban refugees seeking a higher quality of life and a lower cost of housing. North County is in the right place at the right time to service this increased buyer demand.
Our 2020 year started out strong but dipped sharply with COVID in early Spring. Once our markets opened back, and real estate was categorized as an “essential business” we have seen very strong demand and supply limitations. Sellers are reluctant to list a property with the COVID virus still working its way through our County, and unless a seller is leaving the State, there very few reasons to leave this County. The median price will finish the year at $575,000 versus $505,000 in 2019. That’s a 15% increase, year to year, and is similar to what many communities experienced statewide.
There were 340 available homes for purchase a year ago versus 194 available today. It’s the strongest seller’s market in decades. The actual number of sold homes rose 7% year to year. More homes would sell if more homes were available.
Ranch properties and Vineyards have enjoyed an increase in demand but supply still is ample in these categories. Grape prices rebounded a bit as smoke taint from the North Coast caused the bulk market inventory to be depleted. There is good value in these larger offerings for buyers.
In Commercial properties, multi-family and rental homes are still in strong demand. Downtown retail and hospitality properties are dormant for health reasons but the vacation rental market is still strong even with the many shutdowns from Sacramento.
Our City leaders in Paso Robles have managed outside elements of chaos and COVID challenges with calm, clarity, and gracious leadership. We have something good in North County. Our police and fire personnel are awesome. Safety is a number one quality of life issue, and we have safety.
January is beginning strong in 2021 and we are expecting this year to continue the uphill pace fueled by record low-interest rates, low housing supply, and new work from home policies. Fully 1/3 of homebuyers surveyed said that they would move if their remote working situation continued once the pandemic is brought under control. And if COVID does recede from controlling our daily lives, our national economy is expected to expand 3% in 2021.
North County is a citizen governed community that will continue to face many challenges in the future. However, we have a wine industry and hospitality industry that is world-class. Politically and financially our community has stood tall as many have failed. We have natural resources that are rich and accessible. We will see strong buyer demand in this first half of 2021. This is an optimum time for sellers.
Call me today if I can assist you, your family or friends with your real estate needs.
Happy Trails in 2021!
P.S. Call me anytime for advice if you are remodeling, adding solar, or thinking of making major changes to your home. I am happy to give advice to ensure that you will receive the biggest Bang for your Buck! Kitchens are a big attention grabber i.e. extra storage and newer cabinetry is hugely popular. Also, garage space has become increasingly important for storage and as possible personal gym areas. And cleanliness has increased in importance for most buyers. This industry changes often so make sure you have the latest info from me and all of my partners at RE/MAX Parkside Real Estate
The
market returns! At the beginning of the
year, our market was on the same trajectory path as 2018 and 2019. Meaning, listings, sales, and pending
transactions were on the same upswing as well as some price appreciation due to
low inventory. March and April took a
dive do to Covid-19. The real estate
community, nationwide, was unable to show homes because of the “shelter in
place” orders and yet some existing sales marched ahead and closed under these
extraordinary circumstances.
In
some instances, houses sold from just the virtual tours online. Despite a worldwide pandemic, people still
have reasons to move. So the real estate
industry was thankfully labeled “essential” and we went back to work with
restrictions of masks, gloves, booties and later on hand sanitizers and
disinfecting guidelines.
March
and April gave way to a May wherein restrictions on many business began to be
lifted. The real estate market has been
gaining speed ever since and as we are returning to a more “normal” way of
life, business is taking off again.
There is pent up demand for housing and sellers are currently less
concerned about buyers entering their homes.
Especially now that all buyers and their agents are required to wear
masks.
Our
local market has always followed the LA and San Francisco real estate market
activity. And Southern California
activity rebounded after its’ worst April on record. Low mortgage rates, and pent up demand are
fueling the upswing. And combined with
that, many are recognizing the need for a larger home so they can continue to
work from home in the future.
Our
“Spring” buyers are now our “Summer” buyers.
I am seeing houses sell that never reach the open market because of the
relationships that agents have with their basket of clients. We are seeing multiple offers on well priced
inventory. But it could be months before
we see the long term affect that the pandemic has had on real estate.
Yes,
these continue to be uncertain times.
The movement to eliminate racial and social injustice is extremely
important, but the violence that has accompanied it leaves people hesitant to
know what to do next. We have come a
long way towards the return of our local real estate market but we need the
world economy to recover as well. Every
market is now subject to worldwide economic, political, social and health
changes.
But
we live in a place that is desired by many.
Rural, spacious, convenient to beaches and big cites, safe (thanks to
our amazing police and sheriff departments), and full of amazing recreational
opportunities. This area will continue
to outpace many other places in California because it is such an attractive
place to live.
Normally,
I have more statistics for your use in this report, but for now, know that the
real estate market (along with every other industry in our country) took a
major dive (why focus on that?) and is
now on a positive upswing. Let’s be
grateful for all we have been given in this blessed place.
This is an update to my newsletter from the end of March. You can watch the attached video or simply read the information here.
I wanted to give you a quick update to amend the Real estate
review that I sent out on March 23.
As of today, April 2, in San Luis Obispo County we are now
allowed to show homes and list properties.
We can actually go back to work but it’s not “business as usual”…..It’s doing our best to
proceed in this business within the new guidelines that we have been given
through the California Association of Realtors.
Basically, before you or any contractors, appraisers or
inspectors enter a home – you will need to sign a form stating that you will be
wearing protective items like a mask, sterile gloves and booties. I will be providing those to my listings and
I expect other agents will as well. You
will also be certifying that you are not currently sick and you don’t to your
knowledge have Coronavirus. Also, only 2
people at one time can walk through a house, no children and you are asked to
limit your time inside to 5 minutes.
However, actually
entering a home at this time is really just meant to supplement a virtual tour
or viewing photos online and driving through a neighborhood.
We are listing houses.
We are showing houses. We are
selling houses and we are closing houses.
But the timing and rules have changed because of the current
pandemic. And, the County of San Luis
Obispo can change their guidelines for us anytime they feel it’s not in the publics
best interest to do this. My
understanding is that in LA and Ventura Counties right now, they cannot show
homes at all.
And everyone has to decide for themselves, both clients and
agents, if they want to move ahead in this process. This is not for everyone.
But I’m ready when you are ready.
Feel free to check in with me if I can help answer any
questions for you.
Let’s all do our best to help get this virus stamped out as
soon as possible so we CAN get back to “Business as Usual”
Real Estate Market
Update North County Real Estate
The real estate world before Covid-19 looked very good. Inventory was low and as we approached
Spring, many sellers were getting ready to list. We had an increased number of buyers shopping
earlier than we normally see, and I believe this was a function of low interest
rates, increased demand for those who want to live in this area, and the desire
for many to jump into a home here before the prices jumped even higher. Our first 2 ½ months of this year, both here
and in the State were very active.
At the end of February this year, single family homes were
on the market for an average of 38 days, and our County had 4.8 months of
inventory available…a sellers market.
The median list price for a North County home was $435,600.
Spanish Style home and pool in Paso Robles
With the strong economic growth we have been experiencing,
low mortgage rates and more millennials entering their peak age for home
buying, we now have more buyers looking for a home than at any time in the past
five years. In fact, January 2020 was
the strongest January for purchase mortgage applications in 11 years!
Last Thursday March 19 we were urged by the Governor to
cease any property showings or face to face meeting with clients.
The California Association of Realtors (CAR) Today is
working with the Governor’s office to have Real Estate classified as an
essential service so we can continue to show houses and list properties.
It’s likely too soon to issue any real statistics to show
you what is happening, but with the Shelter in Place order, and the stock
market declines, most of us expect this situation to some degree to negatively
affect our business. But Sellers still
want to sell. And as effective as a
video tour can be, it will never replace walking through a house in
person. And Buyers, who see amazing
interest rates under 3%, are even more interested in purchasing a home. However,
with low inventory and an inability to see inside a home we are seeing fewer
sales. While the 10 year Treasury may
continue to drop, an accompanying drop of the 30 year fixed rate mortgage may
not drop in concert with that. The
prediction is that actual rates for the second half of the year will be in the
3.2 to 3.5% range.
Vintage home in Atascadero
Today, lenders are flooded with refinance requests. I know of some companies who are not
accepting any more refis until they have worked through applications on
hand. Let me know if you need a referral
to someone who can help you right now.
On the positive side, we are seeing existing sales still
moving forward, even if the appraisal has not yet occurred. The federal government guidelines have been
loosened to allow appraisers to conduct a “drive by” or external only
appraisals. This will be a huge help to
our industry in the coming weeks.
The title and escrow companies are continuing to close
transactions. One escrow officer told me
today that although the office door is locked, they are allowing in one client
at a time by appointment for signing and notarization of all necessary
documents.
Currently CAR expects negative economic growth in this next
quarter, and state that in fact, we are in the midst of a recession all
ready. The slow down and it’s length is
largely dependent on how long the virus lasts, and if the economy can get a
“re-start” quickly enough.
In the meantime, I came across this website for all things
Corona Virus. Lots of great links for
real and up to date information as well as ideas for keeping you from going
crazy as you “Shelter at Home”. For
instance, there’s a link to “Every Oscar Best Picture Ever”.
How can I best counsel you today? First of all, please know that we are
positioned to bounce back in todays market.
Home on Acreage in Templeton
It may be that as a seller you will need to expect a longer
marketing time as markets readjust. But
know that you have not missed the window of opportunity. Although the homebuying season started early
this year, it is statistically known that homes listed in May generally sell
for more than other times of the year.
And as a buyer, inventory will be low until sellers once
again feel comfortable enough to allow showings. Also, we need to remember that your job
security is tantamount to obtaining a loan. You may be either be job hunting or in a
position where you job security is tenuous.
But remember that our interest rates this year are expected to remain in
the low 3% range.
Will the price of homes change? Does the drop in the value of the stock market
signal an accompanying drop in the prices of homes? During the past recession, when the S&P
dropped 51% between 2007 and 2009, real estate prices dropped 18.6%. So no,
there is not a direct correlation. A
recession does not equal a housing crisis.
This change in our economy is closer to a 9/11 event than to
the downturn from a recession. 9/11
produced fear, anxiety and shock in our markets. But in the three years following the 9/11
crash, homes continued to appreciate at a healthy rate. Think of it more as what happens in any part
of the country that experiences a long, heavy snowstorm. Everything has to pause.
I feel that when the country begins to function normally
again, the real estate market will come roaring back because of pent up
demand. Goldman Sachs predicts a GDP of
-5% in our 2nd quarter, a +3% in the 3rd quarter, and a
+4% GDP in the 4th quarter.
Beyond that, they predict even further strong gains in early 2021.
FHA is enacting an immediate foreclosure and eviction
moratorium for single family homeowners for FHA insured mortgages for the next
60 days. This is a wonderful move by our
government to help alleviate concerns for those homeowners living from paycheck
to paycheck. We didn’t have this help
back in 2008 Also, our homeowners
learned something from the Great Recession and the amount of equity pulled from homes today
is ¼ of what it was at the time of the Great Recession. Most people have learned that it’s a bad idea
to use your home as an ATM, so financially, our country is stronger than it was
15 years ago.
Owning a home is the number one way that households without
inherited wealth, gain wealth.
The road home…Atascadero
Affordability will continue to be a challenge, but the
mortgage rate environment will be really positive. We live in a highly desirable area and the
problems that the large cities have experienced in the past weeks have been
felt here to a much lesser degree.
People will be moving here this year.
We have much to be thankful for!
I am grateful to be in this ever changing, ever challenging
business and to have my clients as my friends.
And I’m also grateful that as far as I know, Covid-19 has not affected
the health of any of you. So stay
healthy, be careful and please let me know if I can answer any real estate
questions for you in the future! My
phone is always ON!
Well, it’s included when you buy a house so for buyers the answer is an easy one. Keep it or replace it. Well, maybe an easy one.
Styles of Sinks
The choices today for kitchen sinks are vast. First, you’ll need to know if you want a 2
tub sink or a single tub or 2 tubs with a garbage disposal area in the
middle. One reason that we have these
choices is because we have dishwashers.
In the “old days” there were no dishwashers so 2 tubs was
essential. One tub was used for the
soapy water to wash while the other was used for clear water to rinse. Then the dishes were stacked on a rack to the
side to dry.
Nowadays, a single sink is very popular for rinsing dishes
going into the dishwasher and for cleaning those large serving pieces, cookie
sheets, and stock pots. You decide.
Materials of Sinks
The next choice is the material. Really, the original sinks (waaay back) were
wood. Then when those didn’t hold up,
they used aluminium or metal tubs. Then
the “tub” was ultimately built into the wood counters with built in
faucets. But the nicest homes had white
porcelain sinks which lasted a long time and didn’t rust.
Today, the choices are porcelain, stainless steel, granite,
composite stone, and other composites with plastics. There are a variety of colors as well. Your choices are great enough that you can
have a marital dispute over them. I’ll
leave that to you!
Real life scenarios
This past week, I visited two homes coming on the market soon in San Luis Obispo County. Both of the owners of the houses asked me what to do about their old kitchen sinks. One home had a large, 2 tub porcelain sink but the edge had been damaged and poorly repaired. They asked if it should be replaced. My answer was no. This was a kitchen that needed to be completely remodeled including new counters and there is no reason to replace a bad sink, put a nice new one in and then have the buyers say they hate the countertops. Let the buyer decide.
The other home I visited had been built in the ’50s and its kitchen badly needs a remodel. But the original kitchen sink was still there. A very unusual design with 2 tubs except that one of the tubs was extra large and deep. My advice to the sellers was to definitely save the sink! A buyer could then come in, have it restored and keep the original, unique part of the home.
Every property is different, every home, every buyer and nowadays, just about every kitchen sink! The choices have never been better!!
