Access to fast, reliable fiber internet is becoming a need-to-have for buyers and renters alike.
Whether you’re a real estate agent or thinking about selling your own home, you know you need to do whatever it takes to get top dollar. Fixing that grout problem and improving curb appeal are important, but sometimes what you can’t see matters a lot. And you may not have thought about how a strong, reliable fiber internet connection could boost a home’s value. Luckily, upgrading to fiber internet is even easier than painting the walls.
How much can fiber internet increase home values?
According to a study by the Fiber Broadband Association, fiber internet to the home at a speed of at least 1 Gig can increase the value by 3.1%. Of course, home values depend on all sorts of factors, including the area you’re in, timing, the market and the condition and amenities of the home itself. But let’s say a home is worth $500,000. A 3.1% increase could raise the value by $15,500. That’s a lot easier than renovating the bathroom.
Regardless of the numbers, upgrading your home to fiber nevertheless has “soft” benefits that can pay dividends.
Fiber internet is faster, more reliable internet
Fiber internet is faster than traditional DSL or copper (cable) internet by a longshot. While cable internet is an old technology with asymmetrical upload and download speeds, fiber offers equally fast upload and download speeds into the multi-gig range.
What does that mean? It means that with fiber internet, you won’t get glitchy video calls or movies, and you’ll experience fewer buffering wheels. Fiber internet plans come with a range of speeds, but the most common plan is 1 Gig, which brings speeds up to 940 Mbps into the home. Many fiber companies offer more than 1 Gig. For instance, Ziply Fiber has 2 Gig, a 5 Gig and even 10 Gig home internet plans for homeowners who want or need to have next-level speeds.
High-speed internet is necessary for working from home
Homebuyers don’t just want high-speed internet. They need it. With so many people working from home nowadays, home shoppers are looking for rooms that can function as offices as well as reliable internet signals for video calls, transactions, large file uploads and more. Moreover, fiber internet opens new possibilities for home-based businesses, attracting individuals seeking to establish their entrepreneurial ventures in a digitally connected environment.
High-speed internet is attractive to students and families
Swing set? Pool? Quality internet access?
You’re probably not targeting your home sale at children and teens, but having a home that caters to the needs of multiple generations is considerate and may help with its value. Families with students of any age are going to be relying on reliable internet access for online learning, assignment downloads and uploads, virtual classrooms and more. Anyone who has spent time doing online classes knows that there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to follow a lesson on a choppy connection. Homes with fiber connectivity are therefore highly desirable for families with school-age children and can help give listings a competitive edge.
High-speed internet is critical for entertainment
With ever more reliance on the internet for entertainment and communication, it’s not just about the workday, either. The popularity of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ has soared in recent years. Fiber internet provides high-definition streaming in 4K or even 8K, making the dream of a home theater that much closer to, well, home. Any home that’s going to appeal to buyers needs to have internet speeds able to handle video games and streaming services—not just for one device, but for many devices at the same time. With fiber internet, you don’t share internet “traffic” with anyone else. That means round-the-clock faster connectivity.
See: Why Streaming is better than cable
Fiber is a worthwhile investment for rental properties
It's not just homebuyers who are looking for properties equipped with fast, reliable fiber internet. Renters need this technology, too, especially students, young families and downsizers. Fiber internet companies often offer exclusive contracts, bulk discounts and moving specials. If you’re a decision maker at a multi-family community of any size, optimizing your internet offerings will attract renters who rely on a solid internet connection for their daily tasks and hobbies.
Fiber internet is the future
Cable internet can’t compete with the power of fiber, and investing in fiber internet is a future-proof decision for homeowners. As technology continues to advance, the demand for faster and more reliable internet will only increase. Fiber will continue to improve and develop, too, offering even faster speeds and even more reliable service as time goes on. By installing fiber-optic infrastructure, property owners ensure their homes are equipped to handle future technological advancements, making the property more attractive to potential buyers.
Make your neighborhood a “fiberhood”
Just as property values go up as homes visibly improve, neighborhoods with fiber connectivity have shown evidence of being more sought after and therefore more valuable. Usually, when fiber comes to town it connects chunks of neighborhoods at a time, so find out if your neighborhood is fully connected. That can be a big selling point.
See: When will fiber be in my area?
Fiber internet can raise property values
As everyone becomes more reliant on the internet for work, school, entertainment and communication, fiber internet becomes more of a need-to-have and less of a nice-to-have. For that reason, it has the potential to significantly impact property values. While preliminary reporting has found an increase of about 3%, quantifying this value also comes down to consumer demand. The internet is going in one direction—fast—and keeping up with the pace of technology means embracing fiber.
Property owners who invest in fiber infrastructure position their properties as highly desirable in an increasingly connected world. Likewise, real estate agents can mention fiber connectivity or the placement of a home in a “fiberhood” in their listings, especially in areas where connectivity comes at a premium, like tech hubs, near universities and more remote areas where fiber is less common and potentially in higher demand.
As we progress further into the digital age, the availability of fiber internet will continue to be an important factor in shaping property values. Homeowners, agents and multi-family property managers would do well to invest in and promote fiber connectivity to increase their competitive edge in the housing and rental market.
In the Northwest? Check your address and see if Ziply Fiber has a plan for you. ZiplyFiber.com
