| For decades, buyers of American high-end homes, | | | | Interestingly, because I invest heavily in the |
| condos and lofts have often been happy to invest | | | | Internet portion of my business, I regularly |
| in nearly commercial-grade kitchen appliances, | | | | receive inquiries from European buyers who later |
| even if they personally didn't intend to use them | | | | tour local listings in my presence. Do these |
| much. They believed that doing so would increase | | | | customers gasp in disgust at the sight of large |
| the resale value of their home. | | | | refrigerators with water dispensers and ice cube |
| Meanwhile, as a Minneapolis realtor, I have | | | | makers? No! They gush at them, for truly |
| observed that our newest condos and lofts | | | | kitchens represent the heartbeat of homes |
| continue to come with full-size refrigerators, | | | | across the world. |
| ovens, microwaves and dishwashers, even in light | | | | In addition, it is worth noting that Americans |
| of the current recession, and even though these | | | | traditionally shop for groceries once weekly, as |
| homes are likely to be inhabited by only one or | | | | opposed to the European practice of visiting the |
| two people. This is true even as the value of | | | | markets two or three times per week. As a |
| energy conservation becomes more and more | | | | result, Americans quickly recoup any added |
| accepted within American households. | | | | refrigeration expenses in saved gasoline costs. |
| Why? | | | | Besides, home buyers and developers interested |
| Because Americans love their kitchens-and the | | | | in energy conservation can always invest in |
| kitchens of others! Guests at our parties | | | | Energy-Star appliances, which by definition use at |
| congregate in this favorite room as if it were a | | | | least 20 percent less energy than federal |
| pre-planned destination. Relaxing in the kitchen | | | | government requirements, for a given size of |
| typically places guests in close proximity to the | | | | appliance. |
| hosts and the hard work and planning put forth on | | | | In the past, it is possible that some of the |
| their behalf. | | | | perceived value of kitchen appliances derived |
| It should not be ignored that the hard work and | | | | from status symbol. Today, however, the value |
| planning were made considerably easier by | | | | comes from function and utility. More and more |
| top-notch and, yes, large kitchen appliances. The | | | | Americans eat and entertain at home, saving |
| extra capacity inspires cooks to keep trying more | | | | restaurants for the most special occasions. The |
| and more difficult things. Also, just because a | | | | incentives to eat at home are particularly relevant |
| home is inhabited by only one or two people, it | | | | in a state like Minnesota where groceries are |
| doesn't mean that the owner will never bake a | | | | exempt from sales taxes at the same time our |
| pie, use a large jelly-roll pan, or prepare a turkey | | | | downtown restaurants are pummeled with sales |
| with stuffing. | | | | taxes as high as 10.77 percent. |
| Some environmental advocates, questioning the | | | | Given the New Frugality, spending money on |
| value of large kitchen appliances, say that | | | | kitchen appliances is not only not a waste; it's an |
| Americans ought to imitate their European | | | | investment likely to increase the resale value of |
| counterparts who are more accustomed to | | | | your home even more than it did before. |
| smaller refrigerators and appliances. | | | | |