Outdoor improvements can help increase the property value of your home. If you are considering selling your home, you should focus some attention on the front and back yards of your home, since buyers are attracted to well-landscaped properties.
What Influences Your Homes Property Value?
Numerous variables can alter the property value of your either decreasing or increasing it, including:
Locations of your home – is it in a good neighborhood with a low crime rate and highly-rated schools? Does it have an excellent walkable rating and well-maintained streets and street lamps?
Structural construction materials and updates – the construction material used on the home’s foundation can affect the value of your home. Are the windows new, and energy-efficient, etc.?
Curb appeal – curb appeal and landscaping of a home will affect its value; potential buyers are attracted to well-maintained homes and landscapes.
So, what outdoor improvements should you focus on? What improvements will add to increasing your property value? Each neighborhood has a different price range, so not all outdoor investments will help you improve your property value. Before deciding on improvements to invest in, follow these steps:
Ask a realtor to help determine the maximum amount you could get for your home if you made outdoor improvements
Decide your budget
Assess if you can make improvements on your own, or if a contract is required
When you know how much you are willing to spend, you can choose the upgrades that will help enhance the exterior of the house. Below are five outdoor home improvements that increase property value.
1. Outdoor Room
Creating an outdoor room adds more space to the home. Having an outdoor living space is attractive to buyers. Outdoor rooms can be as easy as having seating with peaceful landscaping, to as complex as creating an outdoor kitchen for cooking. Outdoor spaces should have a purpose, such as dining, recreation, or entertaining.
2. Landscaping
Landscaping and lighting are essential for increasing property value. Buyers are attracted to homes that are well maintained. In the spring, lots of deals are offered from summer floors to shrubs and trees. When improving your landscaping, consider the long-term potential for your investment. Trees can provide shade and privacy. People, in general, like to have low maintenance gardens that need little to no upkeep. Add electric or solar-powered lights to help showcase vital elements of your yard, and to help show off your newly improved yard in the evening. Lighting also offers a layer of security to your home, which is attractive to buyers.
3. Curb Appeal
Having excellent curb appeal is critical to selling your home quickly and for the amount you want. Improving your curb appeal could be as easy as applying a new coat of paint or wood stain on a fence, garage door, or porch railings to help brighten the exterior. Larger curb appeal projects include repainting the siding of the home, or contact a paving company, such as MD Paving Pros, help patch or resurface your driveway. Concentrate on your budget to make sure you are spending on the essential items outside. If your driveway is developing potholes, then this is an improvement that needs to have your focus.
4. Decks
A deck creates more space and is considered one improvement that homeowners will see the most return on their investments. Up your investment by installing a cover to your deck with permanent or retractable awnings, or screening to stop bugs.
5. Firepits and Fireplaces
Many homes have gas hookup to help produce a flame quickly by pushing a button. Fireplaces are an excellent way to unwind outside, and outdoor log fires give your home a rustic charm. There are many outdoor fireplace options to choose from to help enhance your backyard. The backyard is an addition to your home, and it can increase your property value and add value to potential buyers.
The Takeaway
You probably have a two-page long list of improvements needed for the exterior of your home. However, minimize your list to projects that increase your property value, such as creating more outdoor space, landscaping and lighting, curb appeal, building or renovating a deck, and adding a fireplace to the backyard.
