Can Keeping An Aquarium In A Modern Home Boost Resale Value? Our Real Estate Expert Weighs In
Have you ever thought about opting for an aquarium in your home? Expert Ron Wysocarski, Daytona Beach real estate broker and CEO at Wyse Home Team Realty, spoke exclusively to House Digest and gave us helpful insight regarding whether investing in an aquarium can improve your home's resale value.
"Keeping an aquarium boosts the resale value of a house if the aquarium blends perfectly with the house," Wysocarski told us. However, such a specific and bold feature will not suit many homes. "If the aquarium sticks like a sore thumb in the living zone, the new homeowners will get rid of it at the first chance — meaning no value increment."
Therefore, if your home doesn't already have an aquarium and you don't think the feature would fit your house's vibe, you probably shouldn't spend on the extravagant, specific addition. However, if you already have one, think adding it would suit the home, or you know potential buyers looking for an aquarium, the expert has some advice.
Strategically placed freestanding aquariums are better than built-in options
While a living room, kitchen, or bedroom typically isn't the best spot for an aquarium, other areas that people can visit as they please can potentially benefit from aquariums. For instance, "luxury fish tanks and aquariums hidden from plain sight (placed in the garage or basement) give the sellers a chance to attract a buyer who might always dream of a giant aquarium, boosting the resale value," Ron Wysocarski exclusively informed us.
Avoid built-in aquariums, as that setup can appear overwhelming and make buyers fear the commitment it requires. Instead, choose a freestanding option to provide more flexibility for people who view the home. "Thanks to the movability of a freestanding fish tank, the buyers will have the liberty to move it wherever they see fit — an extra bedroom, garage, and even an unused walk-in closet," Wysocarski noted. After all, imagine how overpowering it would feel to tour a home at an open house and see an aquarium built into a kitchen or living room. So, it's better to play it safer and choose a moveable aquarium to put somewhere more low-key.
The cons typically outweigh the pros
In the end, aquariums are likely to provide more risks than rewards for contemporary homes. "Modern architecture is all about open concepts and soft color palettes that tie together in a place with elegance," Ron Wysocarski told House Digest exclusively. When you think about it, does an aquarium sound all that elegant? Wysocarski says no — especially if it's a big one. "A massive aquarium with a predominantly blue color makes it challenging to create a cohesive interior. The bigger the tank gets ... the place to hide the oxygen pipes, filters, and cleaning agents becomes tougher," he added. You could spend time, effort, and money on creating a lovely color palette for a room, only for the aquarium to clash and ruin the vibes.
Ultimately, it's most sellers' best bet to skip the aquarium investment, as it's just too much for most modern homes. "Also, people who want an aquarium at their house are a rarity, and even if they do, chances are high that they have their freestanding aquarium," Wysocarski explained. Unless you have a huge home by the sea or are talking to potential buyers who are sure they want aquariums, you're better off with just a small aquarium or none at all.