Game Rooms Sweeten the Deal in Today's Competitive Market

If you're in the process of preparing your home to be listed on the market, adding a game room where friends and family can gather for a little fun is one way to help your home stand out from the competition.

While it's not necessary to turn your extra bedrooms into game rooms, decking out a basement, family room or study as a room for fun and entertainment could be an enticement among today's prospective buyers.

No matter what you plan on incorporating into the space—from a pool table to a ping pong table or even foosball—make sure it's clean and devoid of any junk. You'll also want to be sure that any gaming equipment is staged to play. Not only will this allow prospective buyers the chance to play around a bit when viewing your home, it'll also go a long way toward helping them envision entertaining friends and family in the space in the future.

One thing sellers should be wary of, however, is the fact that prospective buyers may expect gaming tables to be included in the sale. Before refusing a buyer's request, consider the cost of a new table vs. how much it would cost to move the equipment into your new space. In the end, selling your home may be worth the extra money it costs to buy a new table.

If you really want the room to pop, incorporate eye-catching furniture, top-of-the-line gadgets and accessories such as bar stools, overhead lighting and even beanbag chairs into the space. You can also create a fun atmosphere by hanging movie posters or vintage bar signs around the room.

Having a dedicated game room will not only appeal to buyers, it'll also get the wheels turning when it comes to envisioning the space being used for entertainment among family and friends. And last but not least, a game room could be the thing that puts your home over the top.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.