Aug

28

What Features Add Value To Your Backyard?

Posted by maureen

August 28, 2007 |

Curb appeal is one of the features that will increase your house value and catch the buyer’s attention. But these days our gardens have expanded to become attractive outdoor retreats. We spend big bucks on additions like outdoor furniture, built in grills, patio, and pools, spas that transform our gardens from the mundane to the place where we can relax and entertain in comfort.
So which features, according to the experts really add value?

Landscaping. Landscape pros agree that quality landscape design and installation will add value to your property and help it sell faster. Even on a limited budget its worth getting professional advise and then complete the work yourself. Good basics pay off in the long run.

Outdoor living rooms, in particular, have been a growing trend in recent years; In fact it is the second most popular home remodeling project after remodeling kitchens. More and more people are adding accessories like fireplaces, fire pits, built in grills and comfortable furniture to create rooms outdoors. Get the best of both worlds and enjoy these updates yourself now and increase your house value for the future.

Covered patios. If you want your patio to add value then you need to make it attractive and functional. Take advantage of the many different pavers in a variety of styles and designs to take it up a notch from that plain old concrete slab. To be practical it should be covered to provide shade or protection from rain.

Fireplaces. The portable fire pits that have become so popular recently are a great way to add inexpensive atmosphere to your outdoor space. A fireplace, on the other hand is truly a luxury item that might look spectacular but rarely gives you a return on your investment.

Kitchen. Adding a kitchen that includes the installation of a refrigerator, grill and sink to your outdoors can be costly but is a desirable addition and can add value.

Television. While it definitely adds the wow factor it is not very practical to watch outdoors with all that sunlight.

Swimming pools. Most landscape designers agree that a pool has to be custom made to add value and this can cost big bucks. Many people absolutely do not want a pool, no matter how nice it is so think hard before adding that expensive pool

Water features. They can add value but they are often hard to maintain and many are abandoned after a few years.


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