[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by PR1234

We've been in the process of looking for a new home. SO many of the homes have that awful ceramic tile in the entire home. WHY??? As many homes as we have looked at, I've never seen one of those houses that looks warm and inviting....even with rugs on them. I understand having it in the kitchen and baths, but the entire house...UGH!
My question....what do we have to do to put other flooring down? Does that have to be jack hammered up first?

Originally Posted by PR1234

I SO agree!!! Not trying to offend anyone and I do realize some people have allergies, but it's not like we are at the beach here or anything!

We would like hardwood and good carpet, and know we will probably have to put in ourselves. Just trying to figure out what the process is to do that over ceramic?

Originally Posted by PR1234

Oh my other pet peeve looking at TV houses. Here they are called 'preserve' homes and you get charged extra. Back in Michigan we call them swamps!

Originally Posted by JoMar

I always find it interesting that people take positions that their tastes are the only good tastes....if you don't want tile there are homes that have carpet, if you want a location and it has tile either tear it out or cover it up, but why take shots at people that prefer something you don't.

It would appear that you have many issues with the houses here. I sense an "attitude." Most people today choose porcelain tile, not ceramic. With porcelain tile, the color is throughout so that if you do get a chip, it usually won't show unless the chip is significant. It is also very easy to replace one tile. With engineered wood or real wood floors, there is always a maintenance (sanding, waxing, etc.) issue depending upon the foot traffic. If you have pets, that can be a real issue with scratches and scuffs. With carpet, you will always have the traffic pattern in and out of the kitchen and hallways or from the bedrooms to the bathrooms. Tile is usually easy to remove but is a very dirty/dusty job.

Incidentally, it is not flooring that makes a house "warm and inviting." You are seriously mistaken. It's the decorating . . . the window treatments, the pictures and wall hangings, the fabrics which are used, interesting table top items, etc.

There is a difference between a "preserve" and a "swamp." Why the negativity? A preserve means that the property will never be built upon and will always be natural with wildlife, and knowing nothing will ever be built in the specified area. It is always worth the extra premium. A swamp is wet and will always be wet and probably with insects which are attracted to the wetness and dampness.