If you’re looking for some of the best and most highly recommended outdoor improvements you can do to boost the resale value of your home then you are in the right place. I was able to source from some of the most sought after companies that specialize in homes and getting the most return on investment.
It all started the other day when me and my wife decided we wanted to put our house on the market. Because of the fact that I spent the last 4 years building out my dream patio space, I wanted to see what kind of return I would get for it. My previous house sold in one day and the homeowners said that what they loved most of the house was the outdoor living space. So I assumed that I would find myself in the same boat, but I wanted to see if there were facts to back it up.
To my surprise some of the most sought after publications and real estate companies all talked a bunch about outdoor improvements and the impact that they have on the buyer and the bottom line. The beauty about it was that we, Strictly Stone, provide a bunch of those services.
Install a Gas Fire Pit
Nothing beats sitting by a nice warm and inviting fire. You will find that a fire pit is the go to area of any Outdoor Living Space. With many people living in metropolitan areas a natural gas fire pit is much more appealing than a wood fire pit. No smoke, small, less work, no clean up, quick and easy on an off all make a gas fire pit so attractive. The National Association of Realtors agrees that you will be able to recoup 67% of the value.
If you’re interested, check out our gallery of Natural Gas Fire Pits built over brick patios.
Install a Brick Patio
I really dislike it when people say that they want to keep the brick patio simple and very low budget because they do not want to throw their money out the window, in terms of ROI. Considering the outdoor living space in my previous home helped sell my home in one day, that comment strikes a nerve. Not to mention that the National Association of Realtors says you should earn about 69% of the costs back when building a patio with pavers. If your interested in knowing the average cost of a patio check out our FAQ section.
Check out some cool Before and After blog posts. You can slide the slider side-to-side to see before and after pics of a brick paving project.
Upgrade Your Garage Door or Front Door
Since most home builders install the basics when it comes to garage doors and main entrance doors. It is very easy to stand out from your neighbors and improve the look of your home by upgrading the garage door or front door. Going from a common white color to a faux wood or solid colored door can completely transform and improve the look from what it previously was. According to Remodeling Magazine 2019 Cost vs Value Report, you will recoup 98% of the value.
Simply upgrading your front door can greatly improve the look and feel of a home. The downside is that a nice front door can cost you as much as a small paver patio will. One downside about having a nice front door is that you will not want to have a screen door in front of it blocking the view of the new beautiful door. I, for one, am a fan of having my door open and letting crazy amounts of sun into the house through the screen door. My two little French Bulldogs also appreciate looking outside of it as well.
Before Makeover
After Makeover
Install an Outdoor Kitchen
Keeping in mind that in most cases an Outdoor Kitchen would be deemed a high level item improvement. Any real estate company will tell you that the true returns on investment come from the mid level improvements. However if ROI is the main thing keep it simple. A grill nook where you can slide in a portable grill will suffice. Or just try and keep the counter space to under 60 sqft. If ROI is important but not the main driving force then you can get a bit more intricate. Just be careful of the appliances you select. You can easily double the amount of your outdoor kitchen just by selecting higher end appliances, but the return may not be so great. Remember that you cannot take the appliances with you since they will be a part of a fixed kitchen.
Create Outdoor Lighting
When it comes to outdoor lighting the improvements are stunning. However people looking to buy your home will never get to appreciate the beauty unless you can take pictures and post them on your listing. Outdoor lighting and natural gas fire pits, together, are about the most important key features any outdoor living space should have. The low voltage lighting on your patio provides the right amount of ambient lighting to pull you out of the house and into the outdoors. Then your gas fire pit gives you the reason to stay outside and enjoy countless hours. NAR states that 50% of the costs can be easily recouped.
Simply installing some Italian string lights add a level of charm that many can appreciate. Or if you are installing a patio, have your contractor install hardscape lighting within the patio design.
Plant Some Trees
There is a famous Chinese proverb that I love quoting about trees, “The best time to plant a tree was yesterday, the next best time is today”. Trees tak a long time to grow. A property that is wooded is much more attractive than a property that is bare and uninteresting. So get to planting as quickly as possible and give your tree the time they need to grow. Even if it means starting off with a cheap sapling. Just get something going.
Install a Sprinkler System
A sprinkler system will give you the edge you need to have a green lawn that looks attractive and catches the eye of the discerning buyer. In the NALP Remodeling Impact Report linked below, the National Association of Realtors says that you should have no problem recovering 86% of the costs.
We hope this blog post was informative and helped you realize the true benefits that outdoor improvements have on your home. Granted we may not be able to help you with your garage doors or your front door. We can certainly help you with your Outdoor Kitchen, Low Voltage Lighting, Gas Fire Pit or Brick Patio.
SORCE:
https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/12-outdoor-upgrades-that-make-your-home-more-valuable-51905
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