Hmmm I wonder if it is less eco-friendly to get in a fossil fuel car and drive to a theater or restaurant than to stay at home in front of a nice warm fire?

Great post.  I sell and live in a mountain resort area and a fireplace is usually on the top five list for clients, but this does open ones eyes to what we all know is important.  Thanks for sharing.

Kim Kelley

I love my fireplace and we often have a fire.  I would not want to give it up and I would need one in my next house for sure

Buyers still love fireplaces.  They make a big statement in any room.  And where will Santa be on Christmas Eve?  Bah... Humbug....

Jennifer

I wish I had a fireplace, most of them can have a wood burning stove inserted. I live in a woodsy area and there are plenty of fallen trees. It would be nice to plant one for every one taken. We need the Co2 that the tree provide.

It's more for the look than function that's for sure.  The older homes are starting to place inserts in them to capture the effeciency

As the price of energy keeps going up, the fireplace may be the only way some families can afford to stay warm.

Hi Jennifer,

Interesting thoughrs here. I agree that buyers still seem to prefer a fireplace. Personally I don't think I've had one in my fireplace in about 10 years.  I've got one of these old fireplaces that could use some updating.

Hello,

Please believe me when I tell you that we have three fireplaces in our home and have never used them.

Jennifer, are you finding a change in the desire of fireplaces in your area?  I have noticed that here.  I thought maybe it was just my imagination but a local builder here told me the same thing.  They have actually changed the fireplace from standard to an upgrade in their homes because of the change here.

I THINK IT IS STILL AN ASSET ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THE GREEN ISSUES...AS AN APPRAISER, IT STILL IS AN ASSET FOR ADJUSTMENT PURPOSES...

Hi Jennifer, I can't remember the last time I used my wood burning fireplace (a couple years maybe). It is my experience that most buyers look at a fireplace as a plus.

Thanks for the Welcome on Ray Nellums blog!

My dream home definatley comes with a fireplace!

Jennifer -  Here where I live in the central valley of California you can not burn wood in a fireplace on many days during the winter.  All new homes that have fireplaces now have only gas burning logs, no more wood burning fireplaces.  Of course we don't get snow here either, well once we did get a couple inches way back when I was in high school. 

Jennifer, the fireplace is still the very "in" thing here.  They've become more creative in placement and design.

Jennifer, I can see this becoming a trend as everybody goes green but I think a fireplace is a tradition that most people would prefer NOT to give up. It's very though provoking though.  

Jennifer...... I had to post this link to an article on DailyCandy about this that I found kind of funny...

http://www.dailycandy.com/everywhere/article/34877/Its+Gettin+Hot+in+Here

Take a moment to check it out!

Jennifer - The new wood and pellet stoves are gaining in popularity in our area due to the cost of oil and gas.  I'm planning on converting our fire place with a pellet stove insert.

Richard- That is a rather interesting question, however I think one of the objection had to do with the polluting of the indoor air, that does not fit in with being green.

Kim - Many people will never give up the fire, it does provide a certain ambiance however it is good to know there are eco-friendly alternatives.

Dave - you might be in the majority, however when you look for a fireplace for the new home take a look at the choices.

Roslinda - That is true, many buyers will still want a fireplace however down the road you will probably see them looking for the eco-friendly types. Therefore it is important to keep abreast of trends.

Gary - That is true, trees are an important part of our environment and in some areas deforestation is a big problem.

Joe - I agree, for many it is more about the look.  Many fireplaces have not been used in years.

Randy- You make an important point.  It might be the only source of heat from some with the escalating heating cost.

Lynda - You are not alone many fireplaces go unused.

Renee - That is very common, it is more about the looks for many.

Especially for those who have never had the fireplace experience, fireplaces are evocative of home comfort. The image we carry is of curling up in a comfy chair in front of a roaring fire with hot cocoa and a good book. It sounds like heaven. The reality of drafts, smoke, ash, wood debris, and the quest for and storage of burnable wood can soon sour a person's attitude toward their fireplace.

Jennifer, fireplaces are pretty popular down here in Alabama. I was showing a condo the other day, new construction, and that was the only complaint my client had... so, I would say for most buyers, I would think that it is important.

Jennifer, one of the things that I have been running into more and more as I visit Open Houses, is gas fired fireplaces.   But even the real ones are still popular around here, even in new construction.

we are seeing a lot of gas or propane fire places - they are still a big draw here

There is no comparison to a real wood burning fireplace.  Its definitely an added feature, whether is real or gas.  I personally like real.  Great job blogging.  Lu

Jennifer, thirty years ago I was offered a job in Florida.  One of the reasons I turned it down is because I couldn't find a house in Florida with a fireplace!

Kimberly - Some change is noticeable because of the desire to be more Eco-friendly, less use of wood.

Patricia - That's true, and many homeowners love the look of a fireplace.

Eugene - Yes a fireplace is desirable for many.

Susan - You are very welcome and you will have fun here.  You are not alone most people have a fireplace as a must have item.

Jim - We are seeing fewer wood burning fireplaces too.

Ray - I did noticed the creativity and the availabilty of many designs, but it is still a desirable item no matter what form it takes.

Carol - Most people will not give it up, we will probably see people adapting to more Eco-friendly designs.

Susan - Thanks for the link, I will check it out.

Joe - I can see that happening.  I somehow remember a time when the pellet was hard to get.  Is there sufficient supply?

Rosario - Well said.

Stephen - I think that is true in most areas.  A fireplace is a must have item even if there no plans to use it.

George - Somehow New England and a real fireplace just seems to go together.

Thesa - Gas has gain popularity and most new construction go the gas route.

Lu - A wood burning fire looks great but people are now more concern about the pollution issue and will forgo using one.

Brian - You sound like a typical buyer, no fireplace no sale.