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So, shopping for a home, looking at places and thinking about things that really bother me in some of them. I'll be honest: I hate fire places. I don't see a use for them in 2014, but I know some people like the romance and nostalgia of one.
If I buy a home with a fireplace and renovate by sealing it up, will that be a big problem with buyers when it's time to sell? I just hate the wasted wall space, the gaping hole that's dangerous for children and animals, the flu which is a perfect place for rodents to invade and the overall ugliness of them. When these houses were built in the 1920s, people really used fireplaces. However, houses I see that are new construction don't even have one.
So, shopping for a home, looking at places and thinking about things that really bother me in some of them. I'll be honest: I hate fire places. I don't see a use for them in 2014, but I know some people like the romance and nostalgia of one.
If I buy a home with a fireplace and renovate by sealing it up, will that be a big problem with buyers when it's time to sell? I just hate the wasted wall space, the gaping hole that's dangerous for children and animals, the flu which is a perfect place for rodents to invade and the overall ugliness of them. When these houses were built in the 1920s, people really used fireplaces. However, houses I see that are new construction don't even have one.
I would NOT buy a home without one. It was a must have on my list.
It was on our must have list. We converted ours to a gas insert so it's safe and efficient. With the press of a remote button it lights up and warms our first floor. A beautiful mantle can really set the tone for the whole house. All of the new construction that we've seen have fireplaces.
It was on our must have list. We converted ours to a gas insert so it's safe and efficient. With the press of a remote button it lights up and warms our first floor. A beautiful mantle can really set the tone for the whole house. All of the new construction that we've seen have fireplaces.
Same for me- an absolute must. We also plan to convert to gas. Was this a big job?
When the electricity goes out in the winter it sure is nice to be able to warm up at least part of the house with the fireplace!
I remember as a kid, one big hurricane knocked out the electric and my mother was cooking dinner in the fireplace! Yes, this was before gas grills. In the winter w/o electricity, we would all sleep near the fireplace too. Great memories.
Never had a problem with rodents or racoons - we put a cap over the top of the chimney. Grills on the front of the fireplace keep them safe for children and pets.
Not only did our buyers want a fireplace, they wanted wood-burning, which ours still was (had plans to convert to gas and they were thrilled we hadn't).
I would like a fireplace too. The bigger question is, if you close of the fireplace, what do you do with the chimney? I dont think you can just leave it there. You should either live with it or find another home.
I would like a fireplace too. The bigger question is, if you close of the fireplace, what do you do with the chimney? I dont think you can just leave it there. You should either live with it or find another home.
Our two fireplaces were sealed off by the previous owner and the chimneys are still intact. We plan to open them again.
That said, grew up with fireplaces - five kids, 10 grandkids, lots of animals and not one problem with my mom's fireplace. Nor rodents for that matter.
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