Does a gas fireplace add to the value of a home?

Does the value increase with a gas fireplace? I was first thinking of a regular fireplace but it is so expensive- Are the electric ones cheesy?

Public Comments

1. I don't think it adds to the value of a home unless you are selling it to someone who wants a gas fireplace, then they may give a little more for it. Otherwise its just there.
2. absolutely...... in my area of the country (delaware) gas fireplaces are EXPECTED these days.... electric fireplaces are cheesy. and real, wood burning ones are messy. I would say it is well worth the investment. It is a big help when selling... even if they never use it.... You will not lose buyers for having it (even if they don't particularly want one) but you will lose buyers if it's not there......
3. According to my appraiser, they do. I agree with the answerer above, the electric ones are cheesy, but the gas ones are almost a must in our market and they will ding you on the value of your home if you don't have a fireplace. Even apartments command a higher rental rate, and I'm in CA where we can only use them for a few months a year.
4. Gas fireplaces are nice and can be a valuable asset when selling your home IF you get a heat efficient fireplace. If you want a wood fireplace and are looking to increase the value of your home but don't want to go through all the expense of a masonry fireplace you should look into getting a zero clearance heat efficient fireplace. I have just had one installed in my home and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! It is made by a company called fireplace Xtrordinair and it heats my entire home. It is a real wood fireplace but it doesn't need a masonry chimney. Check out the website and look at the 36 and the 44 Elite You will not be sorry!!! =)