What do buyers look for in a new home? A big living room? A spacious master bedroom? A winding staircase? Any number of features can make potential homeowners swoon, but one element consistently shows up on every wish list: a gas fireplace.
According to Realtor.com, home buyers value fireplaces more than they want wood floors, carpet, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances or walk-in closets—more than any other single feature, it turns out—and that’s a preference that spans age and income groups. Put simply, if you want to sell your home for a decent price, you need a good fireplace.
Perhaps that’s because fireplaces serve so many functions—as décor, as architectural elements, as heating appliances, as focal points. Want to know why fireplaces top the list of must-have home features? Here are a few compelling reasons.
If You Build It, They Will Come
Another study, based on data collected from the National Association of Realtors, revealed that 40 percent of homebuyers are willing to pay more for a home that comes with one or more fireplaces. How much value does a fireplace add? According to the study, up to $1,500, and that figure is likely to increase as people spend less time glued to their big screen TVs and more time gazing at their tablets and smartphones.
Many of the other desired features on the list revolved around the kitchen area—new kitchen appliances, granite countertops, a kitchen island, stainless steel appliances. It’s no coincidence. People love to gather in kitchens and around fireplaces. They serve as focal points for social activity. Families bond, guests relax, and friends congregate in front of the flame.
In short, if people love fireplaces, it’s at least partly because they love anything that makes a home more … well … homey.
They’re Easy on the Eyes
Fireplaces are timeless, which means they’re always trendy. That’s never been more true than at the present moment, when manufacturers like Ortal have pushed the limits of fireplace design. Today, you’re no longer limited to traditional wall fireplaces surrounded by brick mantles and hearths (although you can certainly get one if you wish).
Now, you can install fireplaces that offer three-dimensional panoramas, see-through views, and asymmetrical designs. You can custom build island fireplaces and tunnel fireplaces, curved fireplaces, and traditional fireplaces. You can surround the unit with anything from marble to concrete, from brick to metallic porcelain. The more up-to-date the fireplace, the higher the value of your home in the eyes of potential buyers.
They’re Always Hot
Fireplaces are hot in more way than one. At least Ortal’s fireplaces are. We’ve surmounted one of the greatest obstacles: how to build a beautiful, frameless gas fireplace that’s safe, yet gives off heat. We did it by combining several features:Cool Wall technology, which limits the temperature around the fireplace
- Nearly invisible, fine-mesh screens that act as a safety barrier between you and the glass
- Double glass heat barriers that release heat so the glass stays at a safe temperature
Nowadays, that kind of versatility is essential. Homeowners want a visually stunning fireplace; they expect it to warm the room, and they also demand safety. Only Ortal can satisfy all of their desires. They’re Smart
Modern fireplaces are a far cry from the wood-burning, masonry units of yesterday. Not only do they come in an infinite variety of styles; they also feature state-of-the-art technology.
With the flick of the finger, you can kindle a fire, increase or decrease the size of the flame, and turn the interior lights on and off. You can even set the fireplace to a timer so that it activates at a pre-determined time—say, at the moment when you typically head into the family room. People already value homes equipped with smart technology, and, as more tech-savvy Millennials enter the housing market, such features will become standard.
Reimagine Your House
The lesson is clear: If you want to attract potential buyers and raise the value of your home, you need to starting thinking about fireplaces that will meet current demands and stand the test of time. In short, you need an Ortal fireplace.
