As a  real estate Broker I will tell you that upgrading to stone countertops in your kitchen or bathroom can add as much as 10 percent to the value of your home.

Today, I'm pleased to pass this research along to you as a granite alternative for all of us who can't afford the real deal.

And yes, I mean "super-cheap" in relative terms considering what else is out there and by how much value you can add to your home.

Marble and granite are stunning and if you can afford it, that's wonderful. In the real world, there are surface materials where even a skilled eye can't detect the difference that still allow you to transform your home, while taking it easy on your wallet.

You may have heard of Corian, but today I want to

Property Website

Priced at $679,900

Bedrooms:  4 Bathrooms:  2.5
Home Size:  3,456 sq.ft. Garage:  3
Lot Size:  15,541 sq.ft. Community:  Trossachs
County:  King Property Type:  Single Family Detached
Year Built:  1996 MLS Number:  203919

Property Description

Stunning home nestled against a greenbelt on one of the largest lots in Trossachs! Ideal location at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. Fabulous floorplan wit 4 upstairs bedrooms, main floor den and upstairs bonus room. Living room with vaulted ceiling, fireplace and large window. Dining room with plenty of space to entertain in style. Chef's kitchen with sleek stainless appliances, granite counters, planning desk, eating nook and center island with eating bar gas cooktop. King sized mastersuite

Some Americans who owe more than what their house is currently worth are opting to walk away from their mortgage. But a new survey finds Americans don’t agree with home owners who make that choice.

Sixty-percent of Americans say it is “never OK” for home owners to stop making payments on their mortgage, according to a new survey of 1,000 American adults by FindLaw.com, a legal information Web site. However, 34 percent say it’s OK for home owners to walk away from their mortgage if they are no longer able to make their monthly payments.

Only 3 percent of those surveyed said home owners should be able to walk away from their mortgage anytime they want.

"Many home owners are currently facing very difficult and complicated situations involving their home

Property Website

 Priced at $875,000

Bedrooms:  4 Bathrooms:  3.25
Home Size:  3,310 sq.ft. Garage:  3
Lot Size:  5,941 sq.ft. Community:  Issaquah Highlands
County:  King Property Type:  Single Family Detached
Year Built:  2004 MLS Number:  202578

Property Description

Stunning Burnstead home with sweeping views! Grand two story entry highlighted by double door entry with leaded glass windows and wrought iron spindle staircase. Chef's kitchen with slab granite, stainless appliances, center island with eating bar and gas cook top. Great room with fireplace and box beam ceiling. Main floor den. Luxurious master with fireplace. Ideal location across the street from neighborhood park. Private, fully fenced backyard with patio, beautiful landscaping and

Property Website

 Priced at $535,000

Bedrooms:  4 Bathrooms:  2.75
Home Size:  3,260 sq.ft. Garage:  2
Lot Size:  5,260 sq.ft. Community:  Snoqualmie Ridge
County:  King Property Type:  Single Family Detached
Year Built:  2004 MLS Number:  202297

Property Description

Stunning Murray Franklyn resale. This 4 bedroom, 2.75 bath home includes a den and bonus room. The kitchen is complete with granite and stainless steel appliances, with a family room, living room and dining room, this home is perfect for entertaining and family living. Upstairs you will find the spacious bonus room and bedrooms. The master suite is private and has the tranquility of a spa like bath and California Closets. The yard backs to a greenbelt for privacy. Home comes with a 1

A Russian investor paid $100 million for a 25,500-square-foot home in Los Altos Hills, Calif., which marks the highest price paid for a single-family home in the U.S.

Billionaire Yuri Milner, 49, who heads Digital Sky Technologies and whose investments include Facebook Inc., Groupon Inc., and Zynga Inc., has no immediate plans to move into the French chateau-style mansion and has a primary residence in Moscow.

The $100-million home features views of the San Francisco Bay, indoor and outdoor pools, a ballroom, and a wine cellar.

The high-price purchase is another sign in the growing strength of the luxury real estate market. Sales volume of homes more than $1 million increased nearly 4 percent in February year over year, the National Association of

Priced at $430,000

http://190424thavenuene.thecascadeteam.info/

Bedrooms:  4 Bathrooms:  2.5
Home Size:  1,890 sq.ft. Garage:  2
Lot Size:  3,817 sq.ft. Community:  Issaquah Highlands
County:  King Property Type:  Single Family Detached
Year Built:  2005 MLS Number:  200651

Property Description

Picture perfect home with 4 upstairs bedrooms in the heart of the Highlands! Enormous family room with cozy fireplace is bathed in natural light. Chef's kitchen with stainless appliances, tiled counters, eating bar, pendant lighting and abundant storage work space. King sized master with luxurious bathroom and walk-in closet. Upstairs laundry room. Bamboo flooring in entry, kitchen and dining area. Deluxe mill work package. Peek-a-boo city and mountain

Home buyers and -sellers alike often bristle with anticipatory irritation at the mere thought of all the paperwork they expect they’ll have to come up with to do their transaction, above and beyond the basic loan application, contract, disclosures and closing docs. And these worries start way in advance; it’s as though, before they even start visiting open houses, buyers begin to visualize - and dread - spending hours upon hours in the dank catacombs of the Vatican (à la Da Vinci Code) combing through ancient files, seeking some rare and precious artifact documenting their childhood dental history or genealogy.

In some respects, this vision of the experience of obtaining a home loan might not be far off - there are oodles of hoops through which to jump

http://15228ne156thstreet.thecascadeteam.info/

 Priced at $599,950

Bedrooms:  4 Bathrooms:  3.5
Home Size:  3,330 sq.ft. Garage:  3
Lot Size:  43,560 sq.ft. Community:  Hollywood Hill
County:  King Property Type:  Single Family Detached
Year Built:  1995 MLS Number:  200219

Property Description

Street of Dreams builder Lochwood-Lozier Resale in one of Hollywood Hill's most quiet, exclusive settings! Just blocks off Tolt Trail cul-de-sac adjacent to Gold Creek Park for a serene, natural surrounding a fantastic opportunity awaits savvy buyer/investor wanting instant equity! 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, Den, Bonus, 3,330 square feet nestled in an enclave of four homes. Award Winning Schools~Luxury Construction~Unmatched Opportunity. Requires TLC, Sold

http://5936maxweltonrd.thecascadeteam.info/

Priced at $415,000

Bedrooms:  4 Bathrooms:  2
Home Size:  3,599 sq.ft. Garage:  1
Lot Size:  175,982 sq.ft. Community:  Maxwelton Valley
County:  Island Property Type:  Single Family Detached
Year Built:  1906 MLS Number:  200160

Property Description

The Craw Mansion is the gem of the Maxwelton Valley. This stately home built in 1906 sits on 4 acres of pasture type land. This home would be perfect for anyone looking to start a small farm or start a bed and breakfast. The property is centrally located to beaches, shopping, schools and the ferry. This is the type of home that will be in your family for generations. For more information, please visit www.Crawmansion.com