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Whether you plan to stay in your home for a long time, or you’re hoping to sell and move on, it’s a good idea to invest in the home improvements that will actually pay off. And your outdoor spaces are no different because they are an extension of your home. Your backyard oasis should be a selling feature! When potential homebuyers come through, you want them to easily imagine themselves relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the space. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it all! Here are 5 backyard investments that actually pay off.
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This article is sponsored by Long Fence
Fire Pit
There’s nothing as cozy as sitting around a fire pit on a crisp evening. And built-in fire pits look great and are useful most of the year. Homeowners who install an outdoor fire pit will not only create delightful memories but will also realize a 67 percent return on investment. Fire features that have a gas burner and patio area cost an average of $6,000 to construct, and you’ll recoup about $4,000 when you sell your home, according to the National Association of Realtors®’ (NAR) and National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP)
Lawn Care
At a minimum, you want our backyard to appear lush and low maintenance. That means regular applications of fertilizer and weed control. The NAR and NALP recommend an average of six applications of lawn fertilizer and weed-control annually, which will cost around $375 for a 2,835-square-foot lawn. Your efforts can boost your home’s value by $1,000, which equals a 267 percent ROI.
Decks and Patios
A good looking deck or patio is quite literally an extension of your home, and is possibly the most important backyard investment you can make. For grilling, entertaining, or just enjoying the outdoors – a comfortable, solid, attractive deck or patio is the way to go. According to the home experts at Bob Vila, these improvements can fetch a return on investment of up to 76 percent.
Lighting
Outdoor lighting runs the gamut from simple solar pathway lights to string lights to wired boundary fixtures. Whatever your style and budget, you can surely find lighting that not only creates the atmosphere you like in your backyard but also adds some security to your property.
Living Space
A comfortable, private place to relax or entertain is the ticket to a potential homebuyer being able to imagine themselves enjoying your backyard. Whether it’s a nice seating area, a hammock in a beautifully landscaped corner, or something more elaborate like an outdoor kitchen – buyers like knowing a house has more to offer than what’s within the four walls.
Knowing how much value a nice backyard will add is only ever going to be an estimate – and your realtor should always be the person to ask for their expert opinion on what will work in your area before you start planning. Done wisely, your backyard investments should make your money back by adding value to your home, and giving you a better chance of selling your home faster and for a higher price.
Long Fence has delivered dependable, quality service to customers in Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the Washington, D.C. metro area since 1945. When you work with Long® Fence, you work with experts who have hundreds of years of combined experience in residential, commercial, and governmental projects. They are here to help you complete your next project and get you one step closer to your dream, outdoor space.
Holly Christy
Holly Christy is a local small business owner, wife of 20+ years, mother to tweens, and an entrepreneur. She holds an MBA, and uses her talents for writing, event planning, and making connections to grow her own business as well as those of her clients.
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