How can you tell the difference?  Laminate is basically a picture of wood flooring.  Hardwood flooring will most likely show the grooves of its installation.  There are two types of hardwood flooring options:
Solid hardwood and Engineered hardwood.  Solid hardwood flooring is comprised of a cut from a single piece of wood. Engineered wood is multiple thin layers of hardwood laminated together.  The Engineered Hardwood option is more popular now, since longer planks of wood seem to crack easier due to changes in environment. Laminate is an inexpensive alternative to hardwood and usually holds up better to moister.  Although if hardwood is properly taken care of then it can last much longer than that of laminate wood, which typically has a lifespan of 20 years. Some important things to note hardwood floors are sensitive to moisture and it is not recommended to have them installed in wet areas of the home, nor mop them with a wet mop.  Hardwood is also sensitive to extended direct sunlight and will change the color of the wood if exposed for a long period of time.  Be advised hardwood scratches easily (as some may know when moving furniture).  Hardwood is a great addition to a home and definitely adds some value.  Hardwood flooring can look very attractive to a buyer if properly treated and built to shine.  So shine those floors for your next showing.

Did I leave anything out?  Any questions?  Leave a post or comment and I’ll respond back.