Any Realty Appraisers or salespersons here?

[88BlueTSiQuest]

I am thinking about installing a fish tank in my house, actual built in with modifications to a wall and a permanent 'stand/bookshelf' built in. It'll be a decent sized tank, around 150 gallons.

My question is, how does this affect the value of the house? The whole thing will be made of Oak, to blend it nicely with the kitchen which is all oak cabinetry, and the premise behind the design would be for both living room and kitchen viewing, thus cutting into the wall between the two rooms. It'll be an Oceanic brand tank, so no cheap stuff either.


I'm definately doing the project, but the extent of the build will have to do with what it will do to the value of the house.


Any ideas?

[dd74]

Originally posted by 88BlueTSiQuest
Any ideas?

When and if you sell the house, remember that one person's interest - in this case, a fish tank - is another person's liability, thus worthless.

The same has been said about swimming pools - some buyers are hesitant about purchasing houses with pools only because of the maintenance, the insurance liability, the heating expense, etc.

Last night on HGTV, there was a house which had a scale model train running through the entire interior. I thought it was great, but could see how many other people would not value this at all.

[EdT82SC]

I would think a built in tank would have a minor negative effect on resale value. Most people would figure they have to spend money to get rid of it. I think most people would think a built-in fishtank is cool in someone elses house, but they would not have the ability or desire to take care of it themselves.

I have a friend who is a real estate agent, and he says that if you are worried about resale value when remodeling you have to do things that appeal to everybody. He sold a house recently where the homeowners spent over $30,000 a few years before redoing the back yard including a waterfall going down into a big Koi pond. The nice back yard added no value to the house, and the people who bought the house tore out the pond and waterfall before they moved in.

[JavaBrewer]

I'm not a realty professional so my comments are worth about $.02. I would wager that every dollar you spend on the tank would be lost to 95% of the potential future buyers of the house. Even more money gone if they have to spend money to lose the tank. I love fish tanks but wouldn't want one in my house. Post pictures when you are done - sounds like it will look awesome.

[Big Ed]

dd74 is correct, the built in tank will not add any value to your home at resale, and it actually might be a bit of a deterrent to certain buyers who'll want it removed.

Having said that, it's YOUR house now, if that's what you want, do it for yourself, not the next owner. Just don't expect to recoup the investment at sale.

[Dantilla]

I didn't put 935 style mirrors or Fikse wheels on my 911 for the next owner.

I did it because I like it.

[TerryBPP]

I'm not a realty appraiser but I did stay at a holiday inn select last night.


Fish tanks are very cool but I would not build one that would leave an evelasting impact on your home. Unless you plan on replacing the interrograted pieces before sale.

One mans glorious fish house is another mans ****_tank.

[88BlueTSiQuest]

Originally posted by Big Ed
dd74 is correct, the built in tank will not add any value to your home at resale, and it actually might be a bit of a deterrent to certain buyers who'll want it removed.

Having said that, it's YOUR house now, if that's what you want, do it for yourself, not the next owner. Just don't expect to recoup the investment at sale.

This is pretty much the reason I'm wondering about this. Either way you slice it, I'll end up cutting a hole in the wall, however that can easily be 'patched' back up.

It's the extent of my build up that would of been determined by the experts here.

I understand all points of view and opinions on this, I just want to make sure I don't go overboard on this install, it it's going to hinder any possible future sale of the house(not that I plan on moving in the conceivable future, but you never know what may come up.)


Thanks guys

[dd74]

Originally posted by 88BlueTSiQuest
I understand all points of view and opinions on this, I just want to make sure I don't go overboard on this install, it it's going to hinder any possible future sale of the house(not that I plan on moving in the conceivable future, but you never know what may come up.)

This day in age, virtually nothing could hinder the sale of a house. I know of a redwood house in the Hollywood Hills that has enough wood rot to render it a red tag tear down, and it'll still list for 1.1 million.

People regularly fill in and concrete pools, rip up tennis courts, etc. It's all about location. If your house is where someone wants to live - they do whatever it takes to secure property whether you have a fish tank or a friggin troll living in your basement.

[88BlueTSiQuest]

Originally posted by dd74
a friggin troll living in your basement.

There's a Troll in my basement?? Holy crap, how do I get rid of it?

[EdT82SC]

Originally posted by 88BlueTSiQuest
There's a Troll in my basement?? Holy crap, how do I get rid of it?

Bait it with a billy goat.

[dhoward]

If you have red UFO living in your basement, don't feed him!