Our 6 Favorite Outdoor Improvements
These outdoor improvements have been shown to increase the value and popularity of a home on the open market. Even if you arent looking to sell anytime soon, adding to your home value while building the accessories you love is a win-win.
When you think of summer, its hard not to imagine your family sitting around the fire, roasting smores, and having fun. Though firepits sound expensive, finding an affordable fire pit option is easier today than ever before. Some of the best outdoor fire pit options include gas fire pits, wood-burning fire pits, and back-to-nature fire pits. These all involve minimal building and constructing on your end but can boost your home value significantly. After all, when someone sees your firepit and outdoor space, theyll imagine their family enjoying it just as much as yours did.
Want to add some shade and custom design to your backyard? Then you want the #1 in-style backyard accessory. These unique features are a great way to shade sunny parts on your patio such as a sitting area in your backyard. Pergolas allow you the opportunity to enjoy partial shade from the sun without going inside, and their unique profile has never been more in-demand. Design your own pergola right here and learn about our options. At The Backyard Showcase, we specialize in Amish-built pergolas made of vinyl, wood, and cedar.
Make Your Yard More Functional
Adding function to your backyard is one of the best things you can do to boost home value, says Jessica Poulos, owner of the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Northwest Home Team in Tumwater, Washington. “Can you entertain? Can your kids play? Can you exercise? Can you tinker on hobbies or in a garden?” Use landscaping, hardscaping, outdoor furniture, and other add-ons to create zones that can accommodate various outdoor activities.
Make It Count With The Professional Touch
Uplighting landscaping features for dramatic effect is an art all to its own. For that reason, you may want to consult with a professional for this part of your landscaping efforts.
Complicated landscaping designs like installing water features, retaining walls, and hardscaping projects can often use a trained eye and a little expertise. Professional landscapers can advise you on the best types of designs to fit your climate and outdoor aesthetic. Theyll also have experience pulling permits if theyre required for your larger projects.
A landscaper can also take the guesswork out of construction jobs, such as hardscaped seating, fire pits, paths and stone walls, and tiered courtyards and garden walls.
Typically, professionals charge between $50 to $75 an hour. Still, most will draw up designs for you to DIY if you want to save money and do some of the hard labor yourself.
Smart landscaping, better lighting, and enviable stone features will give professional polish to your exteriors.
But watch outyou may just make the neighbors jealous!
Contact our Concierge Team to find the right landscaping professional for your next backyard renovation project.
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Best: Fence Things Off
Wilson was an awesome source of insight on Home Improvement, but imagine how tiring itd get to have a neighbor perpetually all up in your business if you didnt have a 6-foot-tall privacy fence like Tim the Tool Man Taylor? Installing a fence can provide a sense of sanctuary from the outside world, keep pets from escaping and help buffer outside noise. Expect to net about a 50 percent ROI for a wood fence, and 70 percent or more for a metal or stone one.
Best: Spring For An Outdoor Kitchen
You know how an updated kitchen helps sell a home? So does a sleek outdoor kitchen. A survey of 1,250 real estate agents found that nearly half recommended making this upgrade as a way to attract potential buyers. Its a surprise-and-delight moment that has people instantly envisioning themselves entertaining alfrescoeven if the fanciest dish they cook is frozen Pizza Bagels. As far as outdoor upgrades go, this is one of the pricier projects to take on, so make sure its something youll truly enjoyusing and maintainingbefore splurging.
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Garden Pavers And Walkways
Spending money on a garden often wont increase your property value because plants arent permanent items. Instead, you can use your garden budget wisely by installing pavers and walkways around your boxes, pots, and greenhouses to add style and make it easier for people to navigate the yard. Quality paved walkways can increase your property value as a patio would.
At Pacific Outdoor Living, we can design hardscapes to fit your yard, including stairways, walkways, and feature areas. For example, if you want to put your favorite flowers on display, we can create a path to show them off.
Create An Outdoor Living Room
When thinking of an outdoor living room, many people think of locations like Florida, southern California, or the deserts of the Southwest.
But having a fresh air retreat in any climate increases living space and can increase your property value.
If you already have a pergola or covered patio, creating an outdoor living room is relatively simple.
Install artificial grass as your carpet to take advantage of its year-round beauty and low maintenance.
Synthetic turf is easy to clean with a garden hose and feels great on bare feet.
Then add some water-resistant outdoor furniture, lighting, outdoor speakers, potted plants, and possibly even a firepit and a TV and games cabinet.
Youll be all set for what could easily become the favorite room on your property.
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Best: Tidy Up The Landscaping
You dont have to have the lushest lawn on the block, but doing what you can to avoid dead and overgrown spotsand keep weeds at bayis crucial. ROI estimates here vary widely, largely because landscaping projects can encompass so many things, but across the board, most experts cite it as a top thing to do before putting your home on the market. Its called curb appeal for a reason, and it most definitely extends to the backyard.
A Virginia Tech study on how landscaping affected peoples perception of a homes value came down to three factors, in this order of importance: how sophisticated the design was, the size of the plants and having a diverse range of plants. Having a set of foundation shrubs with a statement-making tree or two and an island of plantswith about 20 percent being annuals or perennials for a pop of colorhad the highest impact. If you can take your yard from average to layered and colorful, you could see a 10 to 12 percent increase in your homes value, according to the study.
Some Landscaping Helps Home Value Some Doesnt
One Virginia Cooperative Extension survey found that landscape expenditures especially large ones significantly increase perceived home value. That leads to a higher selling price than homes with minimal landscaping. Bigger landscaping spending means a bigger return, according to the study.
The Appraisal Institute, Americas biggest association of real estate appraisers, advises homeowners that improving their propertys landscaping can result in a significant return on investment when selling the home.
But not all landscaping investments are created equal. Consider these numbers from the 2018 Modeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features by the National Association of Realtors:
- Lawn care services return 267% of the investment, Thats the No. 1 landscaping item, yielding the most money on the investment.
- Landscape maintenance and tree care are a break-even proposition, returning 100% of the investment.
- On the other hand, a new pool is far underwater when it comes to return on investment. According to NAR, it may bring joy, but recovers just 43% of the average $57,500 cost of installation.
So when you have a limited budget for improving your exterior and want the most bang for your buck, which features do you choose? Our research found which lawn, garden, and landscape items help your home value, and which dont return the investment, or decrease value.
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Pergola Or An Extended Roof Overhang Often Adds Value
A pergola provides more than protection from the elements. It can also be used as support to hang outdoor lighting or as a structure to support vining plants like grapes or flowering wisteria.
If you are considering adding a patio to your home, be sure to consider how a pergola or extended roof overhang can add value to your home and patio project. When adding any kind of extension to your home whether its an extra room, garage, or even just a porch youre often automatically increasing the resale value of the property.
Think Of Sound Systems Like A Bonus
Nothing helps turn your backyard into a party like music. If it has a sound system already installed, people definitely like it, Schwartz said. That said, with technology like , being wired for sound isnt essential.
As you consider which backyard features add value, dont overlook the appeal of highlighting the yard itself, especially as its seen from within your home. Creating a relatively seamless transition with lots of natural light through stylish sliding doors or French doors beckons people to come out and stay for a while.
Its easy access in and out, and its just inviting, Schwartz said. If youve made your backyard a little bit of a focal point and its really nicely maintained, people love that.
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Structures For Privacy And Shade
Since more and more of us are spending more time outdoors, it’s no surprise that looking for garden privacy ideas has become something of an obsession for many during the pandemic.
Of course, you can create effective screening with cleverly placed plants, but a structured garden shade idea, such as a roof over an outdoor kitchen/dining/living area or a smart pergola over a patio can give you the best of all worlds: privacy, shelter and shade.
Ready To Add Some Structure To Your Space
You want to add a backyard element that brings maximum enjoyment, as well as high market value. We understand. Theres nothing wrong with wanting to cash in on home improvements when you sell your home. Greater Chicago area homeowners are turning to their home exteriors when considering new renovations. They increase your livable space, function, and party hosting spaces. For your project to bring the most return on investment, however, you need it to be installed professionally and correctly. Let KD Landscape help. We have extensive experience installing these backyard elements in many Greater Chicago custom landscapes and can review your priorities and present you with an array of ideas that can enhance your usable space and get you maximum return on investment.Ready to see how KD Landscape can transform your Chicagoland backyard into a space you can use? Get started today with a free consultation. Together, we can prepare a plan that guarantees you years of outdoor enjoyment.
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Your Homes Equity Can Be Used To Make Renovations That Increase Its Use And Value
To finance renovations, many people look to the home itself. A home equity loan is a financial line of credit secured by the value of your home. You can work with your credit union to establish how much equity, or value, you have acquired in your house, how much is available to borrow and what loan terms work best for your budget.
With these ideas, you can turn your backyard into a desert oasis. Most experts recommend that you renovate your house and outdoor space based on your own tastes and budget, regardless of popular trends, though so make sure that you create a space that you will love. After all, home is where the heart is.
Need some funds to upgrade your outdoor space?
Backyard Improvements For Outdoor Entertaining
People all over the United States have to usually plan their outdoor social gatherings around inclement weather. Fortunately in Florida, you have the ability to entertain all year round. Weather its a weekend barbeque with friends and family or catching up with old friends around your fire pit, outdoor living spaces are an important part of homes in Florida.
Having a functional, attractive outdoor entertaining space is a great place to spend time with both friends and family. Expanding your homes usable space into your backyard will allow you to enjoy your property even more. In addition, it will offer you an attractive selling point in the future, should you decide to sell.
You make make it as simple as refreshing your patio furniture with new fabric or pillows, or be even more involved such as installing a Louvered Pergola. Some of these suggest ideas below are simple do-it-yourself projects. Some may require calling in the pros. All however are well worth the expense when creating a personalized oasis to fit your needs.
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Remember Other Factors Can Affect Resale Value
Its important to be aware of other at-play factors in the ROI of an outdoor living space. As previously mentioned, one major factor is where you live. Homeowners on the coast or in southern regions can see better value since outdoor living spaces can be enjoyed, for the most part, year-round.
Homeowners should also take into account the current value of the home, as it will help determine how much value can be added. For example, if you live in a $200,000 home and you add $50,000 worth of outdoor living room projects to your backyard, its not a sure thing that youll be able to sell for $250,000+. Keep an eye on the real estate market trends before investing in major outdoor remodels.
Also, dont forget about your HOA and city ordinances. Depending on your neighborhood or suburb, you might not be able to build certain structures or add specific features to your home without permits and explicit permissions.
Before starting any project, always do research! Knowing what youre allowed to do, the values of the homes around you, and whats available for your budget will be the best way for you to truly maximize the ROI of your outdoor living space and improve your homes value for years to come!
Need somewhere to store outdoor furniture or lawn equipment while upgrading your outdoor living space? Extra Space Storage has convenient self storage locations throughout the U.S. that can help you get the space you need. Find a storage unit near you!
Don’t Overlook The Power Of Landscaping When It Comes To Increasing What Your Home Is Worth
Mia Taylor is an award-winning journalist who’s passionate about making personal finance coverage accessible and engaging. News organizations she has worked for as a staff member or contributor include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the San Diego Union-Tribune, The Boston Globe, TheStreet, Bankrate, MSN, and Cheapism. In 2011, she was a member of a team of KPBS reporters who received a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism. Follow her coverage on Twitter and Instagram.
Though the real estate market is booming and home prices are already at record highs, it can’t hurt to maximize the value of your property, particularly if you’re considering listing it for sale. One way to add value to your home is by investing in a well-chosen landscaping project. Choose an update that will impress potential buyers and entice them to pay a bit more to close the deal.
“When it comes to getting the best price for your home, the power of landscaping to increase your home’s value can’t be overlooked,” says Beatrice de Jong, broker and consumer trends expert for Opendoor. “First impressions are everything, and curb appeal is what potential buyers notice first…It will signal to buyers that they can expect the same from the interior and bones of the house.”
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How Much Are These Improvements Worth
The University of Michigan did a study on home value. They discovered that properties with landscaping increased resale value by 11.3% over homes with poorly landscaped homes. Adding features like a fire pit, outdoor kitchen, swimming pool, outbuildings like gazebos and sheds, and similar larger additions often see a return of investment of between 80% and 200%.
Smaller upgrades and improvements like rose gardens and game zones wont recoup as much as the big-ticket items. However, they usually increase resale value by a reasonable percentage of what you invest. They can also easily be that one thing that sets apart your home from another.
Here are some top upgrades you can make, from some simple DIY to extensive landscaping projects. Youre bound to find something doable today on your budget.
Put In A Pool And Hot Tub Combo
Data from our Spring 2021 Top Agent Insights report indicates that the value of an inground backyard pool has increased an estimated 69% since early 2020 when COVID-19 hit, from $16,137 to $27,199 in added value. A snack bar, high-quality pool deck, and sound system only add to the appeal of this upscale amenity.
The rising value of pools reflects a shift in public mindset that theyre worth the work. Our data also indicates that if your pool has a hot tub, youll net nearly $7,000 more on top of what youre already getting for the pool. You arent likely to fully recoup the costs spent on these amenities, however, so be sure to consider your own personal enjoyment as part of the equation.
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