Backyard Projects to Boost Home Value
Everyone wants an increasing home value. A house is an investment, after all. Even if you don’t plan to sell, increasing your home’s value can help you obtain future loans, provide financial security, and make a lovely investment to pass down someday.
Besides that, it’s where you spend your free time. Investing in features that improve your life makes sense, and knowing how changes affect your home’s value ensures the best outcome. With that in mind, let’s review the backyard projects that boost the most value financially and experientially.
Install a Deck
Decks are great for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors, and you can recover anywhere from 69% to 80% at resale. A multi-level deck can be a great way to separate the space. You can have a cozy lounge area and a lower level with a dining set for meals. Adding a pergola or other shade can add comfort on hot days and protect the deck from UV damage.
A screened-in area is another big selling point. Keeping the bugs out without blocking the natural light can be a huge draw. You can screen in all or part of the deck. Alternatively, a screened-in porch works just as well.
Add a Patio
If there’s a lot of open space, a patio can be a quick and easy way to add a seating and entertainment area. It also has an ROI of 9%.
Adding a fire pit can add interest and make the patio more welcoming. It’s also perfect for cool summer nights and roasting marshmallows. Make sure to check local laws, community and HOA guidelines, and other restrictions in your area first.
Upgraded Landscaping
A home with a well-landscaped yard can fetch 5.5% to 12.7% more than a home without landscaping. However, consider a minimal lawn. Many buyers don’t want high-maintenance yards that require a lot of mowing, seeding, or weed removal.
Especially in drought-prone areas, plants requiring a lot of water and maintenance can be a drawback. A mix of low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial plants and flowers can provide a lot of visual interest. Adding plants and shrubs that won’t be bare in winter keeps the yard beautiful year-round.
Fence in the Yard
If your neighbors’ can see your yard, you may want to consider a privacy fence. A nice fence that matches the rest of the home’s aesthetic can add privacy and curb appeal. However, the ROI of a fence will depend on the materials and condition.
There are other options if you don’t want a full-on picket-style fence. Tall hedges work nicely. You can also go with a natural look using a trellis and vines, taller potted plants, or a more open wrought iron fence and vines and plants.
Add an Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchens are a huge draw, especially for luxury home buyers. Ideally, the space should be fully functional, and that means a grill, refrigerator, sink, and plenty of counter space. However, those are just the basic necessities.
The more extras you can add, the better. These include a fireplace, ceiling fans, side burners, a wine fridge, a dishwasher, a pizza oven, modular cabinets, and a stone backsplash. The higher the price range, the more people want an all-inclusive cooking sanctuary outdoors with all the modern comforts available.
Put in a Pool
This one is tricky. Firstly, it can depend heavily on where you live. The warmer the climate, the more of a selling point it is. On the east coast, however, people may not want to take on the maintenance costs.
Also, it can depend on the kind of pool and if the buyers have kids. Sometimes this backyard project boosts the home’s value, and other times it doesn’t. It depends on your local market. A pool isn’t the kind of project you should take on for the ROI. You should only get one if you want one.
Herb or Vegetable Garden
A garden can be a simple way to add value. The pandemic made more people sharpen their cooking skills and think more about the food they eat, where it comes from, and what’s best for themselves and the environment. So many people want the ability to grow their food.
Add Little Extras That Highlight the Yard
This can include many different things. However, the idea is to highlight the yard’s best features, how it’s useful, and the lifestyle it provides. Having the yard wired for easy TV installation or having a sound system that can be used via a digital assistant can show off the luxury and relaxation benefits.
Water features can be nice if they aren’t high maintenance. Lift and slide or French patio doors that make the transition between inside and outside seamless can show off the yard’s view and ease of moving outside.
Lighting features like solar-powered “Malibu lighting” can illuminate the dining and seating areas at night to show off the landscaping.
Prioritize your wants and needs. Like backyard projects that can boost home value won’t always, and few will pay for themselves. If you want to grow the value of your home over time, you can make improvements slowly. Over several years, the work and cost of a fully designed and decorated outdoor space is much more manageable.
Offercity Can Help You Get the Most for Your Home
If you’re looking to sell relatively soon and want to bulk up your home’s value quickly, you may want to consider an easier alternative. Let Offercity do the work for you! We can sell your home fast for the best price possible. Using Offercity takes tedious tasks like cleaning, organizing, and paying for repairs off your hands. Contact us to learn more.
