In the spring and summer months, most of us want to spend as much time outside as possible, soaking up the sunshine, entertaining, and relaxing. Having a lovely yard and a backyard oasis can improve your home’s value, especially if you’re considering selling. Not all home improvements will make a significant impact on your property value, but here are five ways your yard can help raise it.
5 Ways Your Yard Can Help Raise Your Property Value
Basic Landscaping
When it comes to adding curb appeal to your home, a well-maintained yard is a big deal. If your yard is unkempt, it’s usually the first thing people notice when visiting your property, prospective homebuyer or not. You don’t have to go over the top with it.
Seeing an elaborate yard immediately makes some people think that it’s far too much work to maintain. However, having a well-maintained lawn with landscape lighting, an irrigation system, and a garden could be a simple way to make a big impression. Another aspect of this is when you spend time each year maintaining your landscaping, and it’s less work you need to put in when it is time to sell.
Up the Entertainment Factor
If you have the money to create an enviable outdoor space, it can amp up your property value whether it is a custom-built new home or a 20-year-old house. Adding a hot tub, outdoor lighting, outdoor kitchen, swimming pool, or fire pit is the perfect recipe for any person who loves to entertain.
While any of these can look high maintenance, for someone who is searching for their backyard to be a retreat, it will be worth the extra cost for your home. Not to mention, if you’re not looking to sell, you get to enjoy that space in the meantime with friends and family.
Build a Deck and Fence
Many newly-built homes come with yards but don’t typically come with decks or fences, and they’re the first improvements that homeowners tend to make. Whether you’re installing a new fence or replacing one, having a quality fence is a massive booster for property values. Not only does it add privacy, but it’s ideal for anyone who has pets or kids for safety.
Typically, you can chat with your neighbors and split the cost, so it might be worth the time spent to get a nice fence built. In recent years, decks have regained popularity, and they create a significant return on investment for property owners.
For a while, decks weren’t considered the best for increasing property value, but they are sought-after in today’s market. If you’re investing in a new deck, you will want to install one that is relative in size to your yard.
A great rule of thumb is to have one part deck to five parts yard. Building an over-the-top luxury deck for a smaller home can be a bit of an eyesore and won’t make sense to interested buyers.
Add Trees and a Garden
Trees almost always help boost your property value. Especially if they’re mature trees and you live in a newly-developed area without a lot of established greenery just yet. Trees can add another level of privacy if they’re tall enough.
Planting trees as early as possible is ideal because they take so long to grow and mature. That means regardless of when you decide to sell, they’ll be an excellent addition to your home.
In addition to trees, adding a flower or herb garden can be very appealing to buyers. Not only is it convenient to have fresh herbs in your backyard, but it can amp up your landscaping.
Add a Pergola or Shaded Area
An excellent way of increasing your property value and adding usable space to your backyard is by building a pergola or shaded area. Having a space to relax or entertain is always a good idea. You don’t want to have a backyard with no shaded areas for those hot days with direct sunshine.
There are endless options for pergolas, some of which come with features like electrical outlets, space for a firepit, and much more. Pergolas can act as a shaded area from the sunshine or a sheltered area from the cold wind or rain, allowing for some flexibility. Homeowners can even add lights, fans, and different roofs to make it more functional.
When looking for ways to increase your property value, making improvements to your yard is not necessarily the first place homeowners consider. There are many affordable ways to increase your property value, so you can make some excellent improvements if you’re working within a budget.
There are also more substantial investments that you can make, depending on what fits your lifestyle and budget. It’s essential to make improvements that you can easily maintain or enjoy taking care of, so you’re not just adding more chores to your to-do list.