Like many appliances in the current economy, certain refrigerators may be difficult to obtain. Speak to most new home builders and you will hear plenty of examples of appliances even taking months to be delivered for new homes. If you are a homeowner looking to install or replace a refrigerator, there are several factors that should be considered. Not only should this refrigerator address your family’s needs, it will likely also impact your home’s resale value.
Factors to consider
- Number of people: Naturally, the size and style of the refrigerator you choose will be heavily impacted by the number of people residing in the home. Needless to say, the needs of a young family with several children will vary greatly from those of empty nesters.
- Space & design of the kitchen: Refrigerators must be placed where they may be feasibly installed. In other words, you will need an electrical outlet and a source of water (assuming the refrigerator has an ice maker and/or water dispenser). In addition, you will need to take measurements of the area to ensure that it will fit correctly and allow the doors to open adequately. When considering applications such as a small condo kitchen, it may be necessary to opt for a “counter depth” refrigerator in order to fit correctly.
- Additional storage capacity: It has become quite common for many homes to have a second refrigerator. Oftentimes, this unit is located in the garage and serves as storage for drinks and extra food. If you like to entertain in the home, a second refrigerator is also highly recommended. Nowadays, a second refrigerator is almost expected in most single-family homes.
- Resale value: As with any appliances or finishes in the home, you must be cognizant of what the local market demands. For example, a luxury home will likely have high-end appliances to match the expectation of prospective buyers. Oftentimes, these luxury homes have column refrigerators made by brands such as Sub Zero, Viking, or Thermador.
Summary
The kitchen is arguably the most used and thus most important room in the home. It is for this reason that much thought should be put into your selection of appliances, particularly the refrigerator. Furthermore, the importance of this room also carries over into your home’s resale value. We have seen prospective buyers consider making an offer on a home to purchase only to decide against it after seeing the kitchen. If you are unsure of what selections to make to optimize resale value, consult with your local and knowledgeable real estate agent.
At Live South Florida Realty, Inc. we have assisted many clients with their real estate needs. Are you looking to buy or sell a property in South Florida? Now more than ever, it is critical to have a qualified real estate team and the proper search tools behind you. Live South Florida Realty, Inc., has been a leader in the South Florida market for many years. Let our team of professionals assist you with buying or selling your piece of paradise today! In addition, our recently launched “Florida Home Search” app is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With real-time MLS feeds, this app lets you set your own alerts to notify you as soon as a property meeting your needs hits the market. Furthermore, it will also let you know of recent closed sales in your area so that you may be even more educated on the market. Be sure to download this app for your smartphone or tablet today!
