When walking through a model home or reviewing a new floor plan, buyers used to obsess over high-end finishes. Granite countertops, custom cabinetry, and hardwood floors took center stage. But in today’s real estate market, the single most valuable upgrade in a new home can’t be found in any floor plan—it’s high-speed fiber internet infrastructure.
Before joining United Communications, I spent the early part of my career working directly with buyers, sellers, and builders as a REALTOR®. That experience taught me how people evaluate houses and what truly drives market value. When I transitioned into telecommunications, I watched a fundamental shift happen around fiber internet; it went from being seen as a luxury upgrade or minor perk to a foundational utility.
Buyers and renters now view reliable fiber connectivity the same way they view electricity, water, and power grid access. Without it, even the most beautiful property falls short.
The Real ROI of Fiber Internet: What the Data Shows
When I sit down with developers and property owners across Middle Tennessee, we talk about fiber’s tangible financial impact in the real estate market. Modern buyers and renters not only prefer fiber, they see it as a genuine value add for any property. Studies from the Fiber Broadband Association highlight just how much importance is placed on connectivity today:
1. Fiber beats almost every traditional amenity.
According to a 2023 study, high-speed broadband is currently the second most requested home amenity for modern buyers and renters, trailing only an in-unit laundry room. It regularly
outranks traditional features like garages, walk-in closets, and community pools. The importance of fiber has likely only increased in the three years since that study was published.
2. Lack of fiber directly decreases property values.
Research from the Fiber Broadband Association also shows buyers expect a 4.9% price reduction for a home without fiber connectivity. For a $500,000 house, that translates to an immediate $24,500 hit to perceived property value.
3. Fiber accelerates lease-up and protects rental revenue.
The financial impact is even more pronounced for multi-family units. Renters expect roughly 12.8% lower rent on apartments lacking fiber service. Properties built with fiber infrastructure consistently command higher lease rates, minimize vacancy, and sustain longer-term demand.
As I often tell our builder partners, a beautiful home or apartment with poor internet connectivity from cable, satellite or cellular creates daily frustration. A beautiful home with fiber connectivity meets resident expectations both today and for decades to come.
The Developer Playbook: Why Early Alignment Matters
In my role managing market development at United, I spend my days bridging the gap between real estate developers and network engineers. The biggest challenge developers face is not deciding whether internet is necessary—they already know it is. The real challenge is balancing that need against other competing priorities.
During the planning phase, developers juggle land clearing, utility schedules, zoning, permitting, and strict budgets. Fiber deployment can easily get pushed down the priority list until construction is well underway.
That is where early engagement makes all the difference.
Bringing United into the architectural and site-planning phase avoids costly construction conflicts down the road. It prevents teams from tearing up fresh asphalt, streamlines trenching alongside other utilities, and lowers overall installation costs.
Involving us early on allows developers to market a truly fiber-ready community from day one. It supports smart-home tech, remote work office, and whole-household streaming without requiring disruptive upgrades later. We saw this dynamic in action with Vintage Stonetrace, a local MDU development in Smyrna that was built by TDK. By prioritizing fiber infrastructure from the beginning, the property reached 52% leased by its official ribbon cutting. That kind of rapid pre-leasing proves that fiber-ready communities win modern renters immediately. For property managers and developers looking to replicate that success, check out our blog highlighting the four keys you should follow when offering fiber internet for multi-dwelling units in order to streamline your next build.
Go United: Building Communities for What’s Next
Whether you are building a multi-family complex, developing a master-planned neighborhood, or selling your personal home, fiber internet is a powerful differentiator. It protects long-term property value, speeds up sales cycles, and drives resident satisfaction.
At United Communications, our approach to building a more connected Middle Tennessee rests on three core commitments: reliable high-speed infrastructure, deep local roots, and responsive, neighbor-to-neighbor support. Depending on where you are in your property journey, here is how we can work together:
● For Developers & Builders: Planning a new residential or MDU development? Connect with our Community Solutions team early in your design phase to build a customized fiber infrastructure plan.
● For Homeowners & Buyers: Looking for a home that supports your digital life? Explore United Communications’ active service areas to find fiber-connected neighborhoods across Middle Tennessee or Northern Alabama.
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Author Bio:
Kimberly Goodwin Manager of Market Development
Kimberly Goodwin is the Manager of Market Development at United Communications. Leveraging her background as a former REALTOR® and over two decades of experience in real estate and telecom, she helps developers, builders, and MDU owners integrate fiber infrastructure early into their projects. Kimberly is passionate about creating connected, high-value communities where residents want to live and work. Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn or reach out to her directly to discuss your upcoming development.
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