Nine Tips to Get the Best WiFi Performance in Your New Home

 In today’s connected world, reliable Wi-Fi is as essential as running water and electricity. Whether your clients work from home, stream entertainment, or manage smart devices, signal quality directly affects comfort and satisfaction in their new property. While home inspectors don’t evaluate internet systems, we understand how critical connectivity is for homeowners — and a few simple choices can make all the difference.

 

Choosing the Right Router Location

The placement of a Wi-Fi router determines how evenly the signal reaches throughout the home. Encourage your clients to:

• Locate the router centrally. The signal radiates outward, so positioning it near the center of the home (both horizontally and vertically) helps minimize weak spots.
• Keep it elevated. Mounting the router on a shelf or wall, rather than placing it on the floor or behind furniture, improves line-of-sight performance.
• Avoid corners and basements. These areas often have dense walls or concrete that absorb and weaken wireless signals.

 

Avoiding Common Interference Sources

Many homeowners unknowingly place routers near signal-blocking or signal-competing items. Advise them to avoid:

• Metal objects or mirrors. These reflect and scatter signals, reducing strength.
• Microwaves and cordless phones. Older devices operate on similar frequencies (2.4 GHz) and can cause interference.
• Thick materials like brick, stone, or tile. Wi-Fi struggles to pass through dense construction materials; it’s best to place the router near open hallways or central rooms.

 

Planning for Larger Homes or Multiple Levels

For homes over 2,500 sq ft or with multiple floors, even an ideal router location may not provide full coverage. Suggest:

• Mesh networks. These systems use multiple access points that communicate seamlessly, ensuring a uniform signal throughout the property.
• Wi-Fi extenders. While less advanced than mesh systems, they can boost weak areas effectively if placed midway between the router and the dead zone.
• Hard-wired connections where possible. For high-demand uses like home offices or media rooms, connecting via Ethernet provides stability that Wi-Fi can’t match.

 

Safety and Aesthetic Considerations

Modern routers are designed to blend with home décor, but homeowners should still ensure they remain visible and unobstructed. Stashing a router inside a cabinet, behind a television, or near water sources (like aquariums or kitchens) can reduce performance and potentially risk overheating.

Reliable connectivity is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. Helping your clients understand these basics not only adds value to your service but also prevents unnecessary frustration after move-in.

 

At Carey Home Inspection, we don’t inspect internet systems, but we recognize their importance in every modern home. By offering small, practical tips like these, you can help your clients transition smoothly and enjoy their new property from day one.