Did you know that to some people, internet connection is more of a concern than running water when moving into a new home? It’s true, according to the results of an Xfinity survey, 31% of adults said they would rather live without running water for two days than without internet. The internet has replaced so much of our life including our cookbooks, television, radio stations, photo albums, file cabinets, and the list goes on. Internet service has become a need, and is just as important as any other utility such as water and electricity.

When purchasing a home, check what internet service providers are available in the area and make sure there is internet readily available before you close the deal. It is important to do your research, even if you are pretty sure there is internet access. As a buyer, ask the seller and fellow neighbors about the internet speed, but also be sure to verify it yourself. You can ask for a speed test or with permission, get on the sellers internet and experience the speed first hand. Socket makes it super easy to check for speeds. All you have to do is get on our website and type in any address to see if we offer services in the area.

Not only is internet a necessity, but it also increases home value. According to a study done by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder and Carnegie Mellon University, having fiber internet available in your home could increase the home’s value by more than 3%. More specifically, high speed fiber internet with 1 Gbps download speeds, could add more than $5,400 to a home’s value. According to the researchers, this is equivalent to adding a half bath or a fireplace to a home. If you are in the rally phase of the fiber process, mention this to your neighbors. Explain to them, not only the personal benefits, but also the economic value fiber could add to the community.