By Paul Fitzgerald – The Toronto Tribune
There are plenty of homeowners who are thinking of selling their homes this fall and which means lots of them are them are busy at this time of the year doing home renovation projects of sorts so they can list their home, sell it, and make a profit.
Yes, in the real estate world ‘profit’ is the ultimate goal.
While new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, roofs, and touch-ups to the exteriors of homes – to name a handful – are all popular home improvement projects, the real estate industry is now seeing a new trend in how home theatre rooms and new technology will also add significant value to your home and help make a nice return on your investment.
According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC), home theatre rooms and houses equipped with the best in home automation technology are new features home buyers are on the lookout for when buying a home.
CREA and AIC indicate that home theatre rooms generate between 25 to 50 per cent return on investment. Home automation systems add even more extra value to your home.
Dan Cooper, a real estate agent in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), indicates that the rising trend in home theatres stems directly from the fact that homeowners and home buyers want rooms designated for specific activities.
“I think the days of library rooms are becoming a thing of the past,” says Cooper, who heads up the Dan Cooper Group in Oakville, ON (Royal LePage).
“Buyers in today’s market want to see a gym, a spa, a sauna, or even a wine room. And now with the growth and affordability in home theatre systems, home buyers want a room where the family can watch movies and concerts. Home theatre rooms are proving to create a new bonding experience for families too and they are a hot item when selling a home.”
Shad Boutine, a home renovation specialist, says he too is seeing a big rise in homeowners installing home theatres and they are a hit among home buyers.
“There are many ways to customize a house to make it your home. One popular way of doing so is building a home theatre room,” says Boutine. “We live in a world now where everyone is busy and a home theatre room allows families and friends to spend more quality time together. From an investment perspective we live in an ever competitive housing market. A home theatre room makes your home stand out from comparable properties, ensuring a top dollar yield on your investment. Having a home theatre room is simply a sound investment”
Cooper indicates that another big selling point for home buyers is on the home automation front where an entire home can be controlled with a tablet or smartphone.
“Home buyers are always impressed these days when they see a home outfitted with new cutting-edge technology. Home automation is a new trend where you can control the lights, the music, the security system, the heat and air conditioning with the click of a button and through voice commands… You can even set your coffee maker the night before while you’re lying in bed.”
Clinton Howell, a home theatre and home automation expert, says he has seen a big rise in homeowners wanting home theatre rooms and having their homes loaded-up with the best in technology.
Howell offers some key tips for having a home theatre room and having your home automated-ready.
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“When designing a home theatre room, keep in mind that you will need to have enough space for your seating layout which will allow the audience to comfortably sit with a good view and sound. You want a room that is the right size so you can fit in seating with the right distance to the big screen or flat screens TV,” says Howell, the founder and owner of H2 Systems Inc, and sales representative with the Dan Cooper Group.
“You want a layout that allows for the right number of people to have an unobstructed view of the picture and to be positioned within all of the speakers in the system for an immersive and enjoyable experience. Many people forget to consider that you will want drinks and snacks so be sure to have lots of places to place bowls, plates and glasses for your treats.”
He also indicates that having the right acoustics is imperative in creating the right home theatre room.
Great room acoustics and the right video site lines can be achieved in most rooms with some simple concepts in mind. The side walls of the front third of the room should ideally be finished with absorptive materials, and definitely carpet sounds much better than tile or hardwood.
Howell suggests avoiding square shaped rooms with evenly divisible ceiling heights, and film screens and flat screens should be positioned at the right height for everyone to have a full and comfortable view. A good rule of thumb for screen size is two-to-three times the screen height equals the distance to the viewers’ eyes.
“Having the right sound is a must,” he says. “Many people underestimate the importance of the sound system in recreating the movie experience. Personally, I would place a lot more importance on the sound than the picture in creating the ideal home entertainment escape.”
And Howell adds that lighting provides ambiance and which will enhance a home theatre environment.
“Sconces, dimmers and strategic house lights are very effective and help create the right environment for a home theatre room.” He adds, “Having remote control of lighting is a nice convenience as we often like to watch movies in the dark and this can make it tough to find your seat. Remote control also adds a touch of magic when the lights can slowly dim to the right levels, which is usually only possible with an automated light switch.”
Once the gear, the sound, and the lighting are all taken care of, Howell indicates that seating is another important feature in a home theatre room. “Pick the kind of seating that suits the style and décor of your room. Your may want to go with the traditional theatre-style lounge chairs, chairs or even sofas – get creative and be comfortable,” he says.
When it comes to home automation systems, Howell says there are plenty of choices out there that homeowners can choose from.
“Home automation systems are amazing nowadays,” he says. “Homeowners and home buyers love the fact that they provide comfort, safety and energy efficiency all with the click of a button.”
When it comes to creating a home theatre room and installing a home automation system, Howell highly recommends people utilize the services of a professional.
“Designing a home theatre and having the right home automation system that meets your needs can seem complicated and for many downright daunting,” says Howell. “Technology is always changing and progressing and a home theatre expert will guide you along the way and show you how you can save money and headaches.”
“In all, a home theatre room and a house wired with the best in home automation technology is an enjoyable experience. Most of all, they prove to be investments you made to your home and which will no doubt see a return on.”
