How to increase the value of your home with outdoor home improvements

Thanks to recent downward trends in the market, homeowners are facing an uphill battle when it comes to increasing the value of their investment. Property prices are falling, and current estimates suggest they might continue to do so.

So how do you fight it? There are plenty of ways to protect your investment, but renovating your home is a sure-fire way to increase its value.

Adding features such as a timber deck or a stylish set of outdoor blinds will add an extra selling point to your home, giving you the freedom to raise the selling price.

This kind of thing is important to home buyers because it means they won’t have to renovate the house after they’ve purchased it. You have a lot of options when it comes to renovations, and a great place to start is your backyard.

Adding a deck to your home for a warm, inviting atmosphere

Installing a timber deck will add another element to your outdoor space.

Decking brings warmth and comfort to any outdoor area, especially when it’s combined with a pergola. 

Decking brings warmth and comfort to any outdoor area, especially when it’s combined with a pergola. 

As well as enhancing appearance, there are definite benefits to adding a deck to your home that will increase its appeal to prospective buyers.

Adding a deck to your home makes for a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor living spaces. This helps buyers see the outdoor area as an extension of the house, increasing the feel of usable space for entertaining, relaxing, and dining.     

Even better, decks are low maintenance, especially compared to unlandscaped lawns that need frequent mowing. A weatherproofing stain will protect a timber deck for years to come, and you only need to clean a deck every 12 months to keep it in tip top condition.

If you’re adding a deck to increase home value, it needs to be presented as a comfortable and liveable area to connect with buyers.

Outdoor furniture, lighting and accessories will finish the space and turn your deck into a cosy and inviting ‘outdoor room’ that buyers can imagine themselves using.    

Spending time outdoors with friends and family is a popular pastime in Australia, and people will almost certainly pay extra to do it. 

How a pergola adds value to a home

The addition of a pergola, verandah or patio can be a huge selling point for your home, particularly when paired with a timber deck.

Many people consider a warm and inviting outdoor space an important aspect of any home. 

Even a simple pergola adds value to a home for one simple reason: it gives buyers a place to relax and entertain – rain, hail or shine.  

A pergola will also enhance the outlook of your outdoor area. If you have a green thumb, you can train plants to entwine around the pergola, creating an enchanting and unique garden centrepiece no buyer could resist.

Unlike many other home improvements, a pergola adds value to your home without the need for extensive renovation work. A basic pergola can be knocked up over a weekend in whatever space is available.

Another simple addition is a patio. Patios are like courtyards in that they’re open spaces furnished for outdoor dining and relaxation. A patio area can be paved, or it can be incorporated with timber decking.

How does a patio add value to a home? Creating a patio can transform existing paving or deck into an alfresco retreat. It showcases to buyers the potential of your home for entertaining or simply enjoying an outdoors lifestyle.

Homes with stylish and practical outdoor spaces will always be worth more than those without.

Build a covered outdoor space

The addition of a pergola, verandah or patio can be a huge selling point for your home, particularly when paired with a timber deck.

Many people consider a warm and inviting outdoor space an important aspect of any home. The reason is simple: it gives them a place to relax and entertain – rain, hail or shine. 

Homes with stylish and practical outdoor spaces will always be worth more than those without.

Create a lush, green oasis with artificial grass

A nice, tidy backyard will always attract a higher offer than an unkempt, overgrown one.

Artificial grass has a number of benefits, all of which make it a popular option for suburban houses with large backyards.

It doesn’t need watering or mowing, it stays green all year round and it’s perfect for families with children and pets. 

Install a swimming pool

Depending on what type of property you own, installing a swimming pool in your backyard could increase the value of your home.

This is especially the case if you live in a warmer area, since people are less likely to want a swimming pool in their backyard if the weather doesn’t call for it.

A swimming pool can be a big investment, so it’s a good idea to speak to a property appraiser before making any big decisions. For many locations such as in CBDs, installing a pool can actually decrease the value of your home.  

Create an atmosphere with a set of outdoor blinds

If you’ve got an outdoor space already, consider installing some outdoor blinds.

A well-made set of outdoor blinds can add another room to your home, blocking out the weather on those cold winter evenings. 

Outdoor blinds also offer an insulated barrier, meaning you can more easily control the temperature while you entertain. 

Summary

People will likely be willing to pay more for a home they are proud to show off to their neighbours, friends and family. Therefore, renovating is a fool-proof way to add value to your home. 

People will likely be willing to pay more for a home they are proud to show off to their neighbours, friends and family. 

You can install any of these products as standalone features of your yard, or you can invest in several at once. A lot of companies will give you a good deal if you’re willing to buy multiple products at once, making it even easier to totally renovate your backyard.

Just because the market is facing a downward trend, it doesn’t mean you have to sit idly by and watch your home decline in value. Take action and renovate your home. The costs you’ll incur might just equal profit in the future.

Australian Outdoor Living is passionate about helping people love their life outdoors, get in touch with them today.