@Beth WadeWhy not use granite?

If your competition uses low end granite, use ugraded granite.

I know a woman out here in California who now owns her fathers home in Granite City and would love to get rid of it.  

I plan to go through each property individually, providing before and after pictures and the success and failures of each property.I would like to start with my first flip in the Loch Raven area of 21239:Brick row home, 1200 sqft, 3 beds/ 1.5 bathPurchase price: $50,000.00Estimated rehab costs: $40,000.00Estimated ARV: $150,000.00Actual Rehab costs: $45,109.94Sale price: $145,000.00Profit: $30,389.34Pre-Rehab Photos:Repairs Completed:Replaced baseboard heating system with complete HVAC system and ductwork throughout the houseComplete kitchen rehab to include granite and all refurbished SS appliancesComplete 2nd floor bathroom rehabPainted entire houseRefinished hardwood floors to a darker colorInstalled all new ceiling fans Replaced all windows and doorsComplete gut and rehab of basement(realized after purchase black mold covered 90% of the basement framing) to include recessed lighting and all new carpetRehab of basement half bathRemoved shingles and replaced with new siding on the shed with electricity.

Originally posted by @Nancy Roth:Question for everyone: Some landlords I know have begun to install cheaper builder-grade granite in their rentals instead of laminate because of the durability.

@Long VangARV is generally looking at comps that are similar to your expected post rehab condition, depending on what you're upgrading and the quality of the upgrades (granite vs Formica as an example).

If you're handy and granite slab is beyond your price point granite tile is a good DIY.

The architectural vs. 3-tab is like granite vs. laminate counters cosmetically.

If I chose a 40$ per square foot granite vs.an $80 per square foot granite why should the contractor make more money just because I picked out a more expensive piece ofgranite.

Do I have an option or an alternative to a granite countertop for a kitchen island ?