Home theaters are a great way to enjoy your favorite films while kicking back and relaxing either solo or with those you love. The advantage doesn’t stop at movies or binge-worthy television, though. Imagine sitting in your home theater, the big game is about to come on and you have a plethora of snacks garnering the tables next to you, your household and your guests enjoying the pre-Bowl banter of the commentators while everyone gets hyped up. Now imagine those same loved ones enjoying an in-home version of an arcade, but on the big screen, the effects whirring around you as you and yours play late into the night on your favorite console or PC projection.
While home theaters may seem like another expensive upgrade, they have a host of uses that could add value to your home and your home lifestyle. Plus, not all setups are outside of reach.
Here are a few key reasons to invest in a home theater.
Customization
When you come across the term “home theater,” you probably think giant room with a large projector and at least one row of seating. However, they don’t have to follow that diagram. Home theaters could be just as effective with a large 70-inch television screen, blackout curtains and a few well-placed speakers. Want something a little different? Try several smaller screens lining the wall, or forget the screens all together and use a projector against a blank white or off-white wall. Home theaters are easily customizable and can meet even the most niche entertainment requirements.
Resale Value
Home upgrades should be carefully considered before entering the endeavors. Researching things like fair market value, resale value in the area and what the normal upgrades or additions are for your area are fantastic ideas for understanding whether a home theater is worth the investment. However, they often are.
Once you’ve established whether a full home theater will help you gain a better ROI, you’re more than ready to start. For areas that are rich with upgrades similar to a full home theater remodel, a home theater may be considered the norm, which could increase your ROI if you have one that matches and slightly exceeds those around you. Be careful not to overdo the upgrades, however. Too many customizations could cause the opposite effect.
Gatherings
Movie theaters bring crowds for miles; and while you may not have a house full of people to the same capacity of a movie theater, your home theater is an excellent way to set up an ideal hangout location for you and yours. There are several types of layouts for home theaters that could fit your lifestyle, depending on the primary focus for your theater.
If you plan to entertain for sports events, try several small tables around the seating areas to ensure folks have enough space to place their snack plates or platters. Want to get that big theatrical sound at home? You could try seating in the round with speakers attached to various points of the room, including behind your seating style of choice.
Home theaters are excellent speaking points. With the level of customizations available for them, they’re also a great option to increase your home’s value and give you a cozy hangout location.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
