A home gym, games room or home cinema is a slice of luxury, but does it really add value to your property? Sam Funnell from Fine & Country Rugby gives some advice on what’s important when it comes to home leisure spaces.
Whether you are looking to put your house on the market or you’re investing in the future, it is wise to consider projects that will increase the value of your home. However, when investing in renovations and extensions, it’s important to ensure a return on investment. Making the right home improvement can boost your home’s value, but not every renovation offers that return. Where should you start?
The most important consideration is the kind of home you own. A basement home theater makeover may not move the needle on your home’s value at all if it’s taking space away from essential areas, like bedrooms or living rooms. On the other hand, particularly in high-end homes, media rooms are almost expected and can help differentiate a home from the competition.
After rocketing in popularity, many homes with extra bedrooms or an annexe have been converted into a dark room with comfy seats and a HD projector. It brings the cinema feeling home, and can be a great excuse to get the family together or an easy way to entertain guests.
In today’s property market, homeowners are yearning for modern home improvements, with home cinemas and wet rooms high on the wish-list, according to a survey of 2,000 homeowners completed by Anglian Home Improvements. When asked what homeowners would add to their house if they could, 44 per cent opted for a state-of-the-art entertainment zone, just ahead of a wet room at 43 per cent. Home gyms were also high on the list.
So a gym, cinema or media room is a non-essential that may help sell your property, but only if prospective buyers are willing to pay extra for them. There’s no hard and fast answer on which of these will add more value than the other, so how do you choose?
The most important tip is to do your research. If similar properties in your neighbourhood have home cinemas, you don’t want to be the one without, as that may be the feature that tips the scales. Whatever you do, don’t sacrifice essential living space for an extravagance. Your three-bedroom is likely to benefit more by becoming a four-bedroom property rather than by the addition of a cinema. But if you have the space, you should ultimately build the room that you will use the most.
For advice on selling or buying property, please contact Fine & Country Rugby on 01788 820062 or visit www.fineandcountry.com