Some KitchenAid dishwashers have handle upgrades that you can order. I saw the KUDE60 dishwasher, which normally has that same handle that you dislike, but this floor model had been upgraded with a thick pro-style, brushed stainless, euro-T-bar handle. The salesman told me it was a $140 upgrade for the pro-style handle. I'm sure you could ask an appliance salesperson about upgrading the handle on the drawer. Remember that the KA dishwashers, including the drawer, are deeper than most, so they protrude more than the euro dishwashers (Bosch, Miele). That is especially important if you are planning to panel it, as pllog suggested, or if you will be upgrading to the pro-style handle, which projects out more than the normal handle. You would want to check the specs carefully and may need to compensate by recessing the dishwasher into the wall, or extending your countertop overhang a bit.

teelag, you are thinking exactly what I'm thinking about the market trend in CA whether it's in No. or S. CA. I don't think these owners are in any hurry to sell even though they are "AGENTS", they are posing such a unrealistic expectation to the price of their dear home. They also commented about spending $300K on upgrades but just like most people believe that most of the time you upgrade the house because you want to enjoy the upgrades that bring to you personally. If they eventually add value to the house, that's great. That's a bonus. But we shouldn't expect that any buyer will gladly agree to reimburse all the $ the owner spent on the things they may not even care for as much. I'm pretty knowledgable and confident on the buying and selling RE in general so I am not afraid of representing myself. I just don't like to face this particular situation when the agents are selling their own home and they're not showing the honest, integrity and ... As most people think that the worse thing I'd get is a No from the owners/agents with my look-like low-ball but realistic offer. Sure, the only thing I don't have is the same access to the current market data as an agent. I'm sure if I want, I can pay to get that kind of data. If these owners are half knowlegable agents, they should have known how bad it can be to set a high price when selling a home. But I just really don't understand these people, maybe they just simply want to test the water like anybody else to see if any fool would want to pay a high price to get the home.

Saphire, you are about 10 years behind on your real estate laws. Each and every buyer now has a choice. The days of agents automatically working for the sellers are long gone. Actually, I don't even offer a commission to "sub agents" which is what you are referring to on my listings. YOU MUST Be a buyers agent for me to split my commission with you. (takes liability off my sellers for agent mistakes) If I am working with a buyer as a buyers agent and my buyer wants to buy one of my listings where I am the sellers agent, I must get a signature from both my seller and my buyer that they agree that I will become a dual agent. If one of them prefers to have their own agent, then someone from my office or another office if they choose can represent them. (I have never had this happen) The days of every agent being a sellers agent are gone a long long time ago. Sparkels, I think what that agent did was totally unethical. In essence he/she prevented other agents from showing the property and bringing in offers on the listing that might have been better for his seller so that he/she could secure himself the sale. He/she could loose his/her license for that. I know it happens where the listing agent tells their buyer what the other offers are so they come in higher because I have been on the other end where my buyer has lost the bid because of a "better offer" only to find out it was the listing agents own buyer. I think its only natural for a listing agent to want to sell their own listing. Personally, this is the highlight of a sale for me. In the time that it has happened, I NEVER have told my buyer what the other offer is. I just tell them to come in with their highest and best same as I tell the other agent to tell her buyers. (its a dual agency situation, I cannot give my buyers a number, the other buyer might go higher and that would be unfair to my seller). Even though I would love to get both sides of the transaction, I also have to sleep at night and that doesnt seem fair to me. Also, these same buyers will someday sell a house, do I want them to think I was unethical so they never call me? I do recall last year where I had this exact situation. My buyer actually came in lower than the other agents offer on my listing. When both offers were presented to the seller, they wound up choosing my offer even tho it was $7000 lower. Their reason was, they liked the people, they had a new baby and wanted to help out a young couple. Also the closing date was better for them and a few other things. Susana, Im sorry you lost the house. I always think things happen for a reason and there is a better house out there for you. Your agent did a good job for you, she was dealing with an unethical agent. I'm willing to bet that deal doesnt close and they wind up calling you back. You just may wind up getting that house for a lower price then your original bid. :)

Also note that there is a difference between top performers and 100% sellers. I think Remax and maybe other RE companies have special designations for 100% sellers. Top performers may get there for sheer quantity or big ticket sales. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are going to do a great job with every house, especially the lower-priced ones. 100% agents get there by constantly pressuring their clients to drop the price and/or readily making up the gaps between buyer and seller by dropping their commissions. If I needed to sell, I'd take a 100% agent over a top performer any day, because the 100% people need to go to bat for every client to protect their status. While this is an interesting thought, its not exactly what it means. If you are referring to RE/MAX, the 100% club (or agent) simply means that agent has reached between $100,000 and $249,999 in income. Top performing agents sell more than others. It doesnt mean their customer service is better, in fact a lot of times its worse. (they are too busy). The top agent in my county happens to be in my office. She came up with a slogan years ago that people remember. She gets the calls because of that slogan, and she gets the listing because she is very likeable and she knows her business. She also has the most complaints because you can't get her on the phone, but she sells, and consistently makes over $500,000 per year. People call the name they recognize, this is why personal promotion is so important in real estate.