5 Outdoor Home Updates That Will Pay Off
It’s almost spring, or so they tell us, and you may have started thinking towards the summer with dreams of outdoor gatherings, beautiful gardens and maybe a firepit or built in grill. Before you run to grab your shovel and head to your nearest home improvement store, let’s dive into some numbers and make sure you aren’t throwing your money away. It’s important to keep in mind the value projects will add to your home and according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) landscaping often sees returns over 100% of a homeowners investment.
Here are a few projects for the outdoors to get you the most bang for your buck:
Add a shade tree
Planting a nice shade tree in the correct area is a good long term investment to make in your home. If you are planning on selling in the near future you will want to skip this one since new trees don’t look as nice. A nice shade tree will run you somewhere around $100. Remember to plant with enough space for the roots to grow without damaging the foundation. Considering adding multiple trees if you have a large, sparse yard. Avoid trees with small, hard to rake leaves and consult a professional to find a tree well suited to your environment.
Low maintenance plants
Plenty of homeowners dream of perfect gardens and many find themselves without the time or expertise to maintain them. Planting a variety of low maintenance plants is a cost effective and easy project to boost your curb appeal and your home value in the long run. Talk to your local nursery about low maintenance options for your specific location and climate.
New patio
A new patio isn’t something most sellers can add on last minute because it has a higher price point and isn’t the easiest project. Before you find yourself in a rush to sell your home, make the investment of a nice patio now. Use high-quality materials so it will last and maintain its newness over the next several years. According to the NAR, new patios can recoup 102% on the investment, so this project is well worth the investment.
New grass
Not all homes will need to install a new lawn, but if your lawn is full of brown spots or has fallen victim to a drought or broken sprinkler system consider laying sod before you consider selling your home. The average cost of new sod is $700 with an estimated return of 143%. A well maintained lawn makes a great first impression and has been shown to be worth every penny.
Flagstone walkway
This project will also add to the curb appeal of your home. If there isn’t already a clear path from the sidewalk to your front door consider adding in a flagstone walkway. This is a simple and affordable project and will benefit you and your visitors in the short term as well as your home value in the long term. Combined with nice shrubs and a new tree (as discussed above) this project has been shown to get a 105% return on investment. This project is a good investment and can easily be completed over a weekend.
If you have any questions about how to increase your home value or if you are ready to sell, contact us today!