Are you planning to put the cherry throughout the whole house, just the foyer, one level of the house, etc.? In terms of pulling it off, do you mean just making it look good or getting a return on your money? I think I need more details before I can form an opinion.

I hate to sound dumb, but I've always wondered what a split foyer is.

I *think* it would be where the front door opens into a small foyer and you immediately have to go up or down stairs to get somewhere. Here in Colorado, it's called a bi-level (and I live in one...)

I'm dumb too but I kind of thought a split level foyer was just as marz desribes. If that is the case I don't see any reason why you couldn't have a cherry wood floor in the foyer. There are finish pieces for every feasible type of flooring change from one room or one level to another.

I live in split entry/bi level/split foyer. The only thing I can think of is that your REA is thinking of resale value. In some areas split entries are hard to sell because it is not a popular style, but in other areas they sell like any other home, it seems to be regional. IMO they are usually considered a "starter" home for whatever area they are in, and subsequently priced less than a two story or a ranch of comparable square footage.

Split entries are hybrids. They are "ranchy" in style, but instead of the long run of stairs into the basement, they have the stairs divided. Essentially, it was a way to fit more house into less space. They were cheaper than regular houses to build, because the excavation for the basement was not done as deeply. Building them on hilly or slopey lots is understandable, but here in MN they were built en masse on absolutely flat lots. Like I said, cheaper to build.

So...will brazilian cherry floors work? Of course! Higher end finishes are always welcome and beautiful. And it will look gorgeous. But will you get your money back? That is really hard to say, and depends on so many factors. I wouldn't count on it.

I believe that your house would sell faster than a similarly-priced split entry with laminate or carpeting, but honestly, price is what's selling houses right now. Updates? That will make more people interested in your house, but it usually comes down to the right ratio between price and location.

Good luck in your decision. I put in hickory floors, I love them and know I made the right decision for me. I also put bamboo in the foyer and on the stair treads. I don't expect to get more money than someone in a nearby split entry who did laminate or carpeting. When it comes time to sell, I'll get as much as my home is worth and move on, but in the meantime, I have thoroughly enjoyed my pretty floors.

Joanna

I live in MO. and these split foyers are harder to sell here than a ranch style for sure.I probably will never buy another one again we have been here for 14 yrs and other than paying a good part of it down the house is'nt worth as much as we would hoped for.Other homes(ranch style) in the area, before the economic down turn, were going for ungodly amounts, for our rural area that is. Now we were planning on laying the BC on the entire upstairs level, 2brms, kitchen/dining/LR and hall. The real estate agent scared me away from it a bit, she also told me that people may shy away from it because their furn. may not match. Is it harder to match Furn. to it? I'm not to sure about this random agent I called because she also told me our house will be worth less because we live by a state hwy. but our house sits probably 300 ft back from it and it is not a heavily traveled road. Joanna you are right on, I felt the same way about just going with what we love and enjoying the beauty of it , afterall who knows how long we will be here, we are certainly not going anywhere for the time being, unless of course we hit a windfall of money :) Karen

You don't have to worry about the floors matching people's furniture. That was a dumb statement of that real estate agent. Get a better agent.