Houston homes and fireplaces... (Roma, Howe: how much, houses, buying)

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Why? Romantic maybe? Certainly not efficient whatsoever. I have always had them in the houses I've owned, or lived in over the years because they were there already. Only maybe once, or twice were they ever used, and only for asthetics. As for being romantic... I guess I'm weird, they've never done anything for my wife, and I. Yeah, I see the romantic movie scenes, etc. But that's the movies. Anyway, moving on...

I have one in my home now, in a corner for some reason. It was like that when I got here. Now my wife and I are discussing removing it, but we are not sure what the value to the house is. So, is/was a chimney a factor in your purchase? Do people really seek them out? Would you remove yours if you could? We don't really need the space, but we don't really care for the bricks, and it would make arranging the furniture easier.

[City Love]

If you don't plan on selling for many, many years, go ahead and close it off. It will probably be more aesthetically pleasing to you than the extra value you will get.

If you plan on selling in the next 5 or 10 days. I'd keep it. Most people don't use them here, but they do look for them in homes. Again, just for aesthetics. It definitely feels more like a home to many buyer's.

[Oildog]

I have one too, kind of centrally located between dining area and living room. I used it during inspection and thats it.

[MNCold]

I had one and never used it. I actually would be glad if my next house doesn't have one. It becomes a maintenance issue with no benefits for me. By the way, I'm from Minnesota.

[Tx Z Girl]

We use ours. Especially because our electricity seems to go out a lot during the winter, so it's nice to have the heat!!!

[TexasCatherine]

During the "winter" months, our fireplace is on from the time we get up until we go to bed (along with the central heat). I hate the cold. Agree with City Love's advice. If you hate it, get rid of it.

[EasilyAmused]

I've used mine weeks at a time this year and last. I would never buy or build a home without a wood burning one.Those gas kits are a joke and I would have no problem popping that fake thing out.

Something very anciently, comforting about a real wood buring fire in the home.

[ohmanon]

As far as aesthetics, I too love a wood burning fireplace and in prior homes, we used ours all the time in the winter. However, our current place has one (supposedly finished out) that has been walled in at some point to provide more space. The home inspector guy was worthless and we noticed soon after moving in some swelling on the exterior wall. Last summer it bulged out in a serious way and we had to hire someone to locate, patch the leak and secure the wall...no easy task and quite expensive. We still have no idea how much rotten wood might be on the interior so if you decide to do this, make sure to hire someone with half a brain.

[Oskar_Z28]

Useless. We have one, came with the house, but it's in the corner making a good part of our living room unusable. The problem is that most houses have them, and to find one without, was difficult. I used it twice since 2002 (when I moved in). I was thinking of removing it, but I am not going to spend money / my time on that. I actually fired it up just to see if it is still intact - and it is. Smoke goes up and out through the chimey.

[Seoid]

We bought a house without one but if we move again, I told my husband I want a fireplace. I grew up where we used one most of the winter so I miss that. I know it's not necessary (hence buying our home without one) but it's a selling point for me.