The real estate market is not what it once was and we are all trying to deal with it. Though the country is steadily recovering from the recession, homeowners are still seeking ways to distinguish their home from others also for sale in their neighborhoods. Perhaps surprisingly, some are choosing to install indulgences like a home theater, not only for their own enjoyment but to increase the resale value of the house and to make it stand out from the crowd.
Let’s discuss how installing a home theater may add to the resale value of your house and make it a preferred property for most of the prospective buyers.
Should I Expect A Return On My Money
If your home is large, then you might want to consider investing in this addition.
- According to Jade Mills, a nationally ranked Beverly Hills real estate agent, home theaters are increasingly becoming an essential in larger homes as buyers seek out fully automated homes.
- A modern home theater indulges buyers’ need for new and better gadgets.
- There is little that impresses more than a home theater with lights that turn on and shades that go down with a touch to a smartphone.
If your home is small, adding a home theater may not be the best use of your space. But it may make financial sense if you have a finished basement or another large space in your home.
- According to Laura Gallagher, a Remax agent near Philadelphia, homes with the home theater installed already add to the probability to be the first to sell.
How Is It Different From A Media Room
Also common in many homes is the “media room,” which sounds as though it should be similar, if not identical, to a home theater. The differences between these two areas are ones of scale and purpose.
- The media room is a gathering spot. It wouldn’t be uncommon for the whole family to gather. A media room is essentially a more technologically savvy living.
A home theater is specifically tailored for watching movies. You won’t be gathering around a coffee table and playing cards with the family.
- It may not even be the sort of place you hold your game-day party. This is a room to bring the movie theater into your home, and should have a large screen with a projection unit, state-of-the-art sound equipment, and other touches to set the theater atmosphere.
- You may place seats in rows or even install stadium-style seating so that everyone can easily see the screen.
How Do I Set-Up My Own Home Theater?
One of the first steps in setting up your own home theater is budgeting and the second in the list is space.
- With a home theater, it is easy to spend too much on one area of the design and not enough on others.
- A well balanced home theater will do more for your sale price than a theater with sub-par sound, uncomfortable seats, and a top-of-the-line projector.
- Next is to lay out your space. Your seating should all face front, and to recreate the theater mood, you may consider placing them in staggered rows.
- Any windows in the room should be covered with curtains or blinds to achieve a near-total darkness to enhance the viewing experience.
- You may also consider seating that is also functional, with cup holders or fold-down trays for your food and drink.
If you are building this area for yourself, it’s okay to indulge in high quality technology.
- Many estate agents recommend replacing more expensive items with lower priced alternatives in a home theater, so you could keep your gadgets and still see a return on your space.
- However, if your home is going to sell for more than $1 million, most recommend leaving the pricier technology where it is.
Though a home theater is only as costly as your own investment in it, it is one addition that can offer you a full return on your money. This may come in the form of a higher bid on your house or a quicker sale that saves you the cost of having your home on the market for several months. It is an indulgence you can enjoy without the worry that you’ve hurt, rather than helped, your home’s resale value.
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