A well-equipped home theatre room could be the difference between a sale and a fail during the Rugby World Cup.
Real estate agents told OneRoof that houses with dedicated rooms for home theatres or big screen TVs and are kitted out with the latest in-built sound systems have an advantage with male buyers.
Michael Boulgaris, who operates at the top end of the market in Auckland, says built-in theatre rooms are the new billiard / pool rooms.
“A home theatre attracts the husbands more than the kids and wives because they think it’ll be perfect for watching rugby,” he says.
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Media rooms these days typically include a wall-sized cinema screen, a projector and chairs similar to those movie-goers get when they pay extra for Gold Class. Unfortunately, the technology changes fast and what seems cutting edge now can appear out of date within five to ten years.
“Overhead projectors are now half the size of a women's handbag and they used to be so big you'd wonder how they fit in the ceiling," says Boulgaris. Flat screen televisions are also changing - in size, resolution, smart tech and appearance. "They have to be updated as everything that’s more than ten years old will look ugly,” says Boulgaris.
Separate to the home theatre room is multi-media room, which, Boulgaris says, is essentially "a big playroom for adults and teenagers".
"They might have record player, a sound system and a modern drum set up,” he says.
Some buyers want a real cinema experience in their own home. Photo / Getty Images
New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty agent Ross Hawkins says most prestige houses these days have a media room. He agrees with Boulgaris that it's a draw for those who like rugby but, they do tend to have another function - getting the flat-screen TV out of the living room.
“It’s where you can watch a movie or rugby game. A lot of people don’t like having a big screen dominating their living room,” he says.
For those who don't get their kicks from sitting back and watching the big game on the biggest screen possible, dedicated media rooms do have other uses. Hawkins says for buyers who don’t consider the equipment in a media room adds value, the space can be easily transformed into a guest room or a playroom.
It's not just the big homes that media rooms; high-end apartments are also getting in on the game.
Shared wine cellars, pools, gyms and libraries are a big selling point, Hawkins says, pointing to the benefits on offer at The International apartment development in Auckland.
“People who are downsizing and used to have it in their houses still have it all. They can take their guests to the basement, where they have their own wine fridge, sit on the couches and do tastings.”
When it comes to outdoor entertainment, swimming pools are still popular but the trend is for smaller pools. “Small pools are easier and more cost-effective to heat up in the winter,” Hawkins says.
Boulgaris says some buyers are also keen on outdoor entertainment areas with built-in heaters and outdoor sound systems, but the ability to play music at volume does have its drawbacks.
“In built-up suburban areas, your neighbour will call noise control; so while outdoor speakers are popular, they are more of a nuisance in my opinion because you can’t use them to the fullest,” he says.
An outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and a barbecue, which will help feed the partygoers, are one of the biggest selling points for a home.
“Kiwis love their barbecues. They love having a big fire burning in the winter, and being able to make pizza and have everyone sitting around with a glass of red wine.”
Let me entertain you! Three homes that are built for playtime
Outdoor energy
The five-bedroom Remuera home offers a tennis court and a pool for an outdoors entertainment and a billiard room inside. Check out the listing below:
Luxury pad
This Mahurangi East home stuns with a massive round home cinema, library and a wine cellar. Check out the listing below:
The high life
The apartments at the International in Auckland offer buyers the chance to share wine rooms, libraries, and pool. Check out the listing below:
