{"id":12532,"date":"2019-09-30T16:34:09","date_gmt":"2019-09-30T23:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=12532"},"modified":"2026-03-20T04:48:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T11:48:02","slug":"backyard-features-that-add-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/backyard-features-that-add-value\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Backyard Features That Boost Your Home\u2019s Value or \u2018Chill\u2019 Factor"},"content":{"rendered":"

Activities like running, hiking, and camping attract about 13.6 million Americans<\/a> each year\u2014but perhaps the easiest way to enjoy the outdoors is just chilling in the backyard.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not going to find a better place than your backyard where you can hang out and relax,\u201d said Ida Schwartz<\/a>, a top selling agent in Miami Beach, Florida, with 18 years of experience. \u201cAfter a whole week at work, people just want to hang at their home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Knowing that you can recover a chunk of any backyard expenses once you sell your home is also bound to heighten your enjoyment. Not all outdoor features boast the same returns, however. Some add more value depending on your price range and location, and rarely will a project pay for itself and then some. Find out which investments make the most sense for your home with this list of popular backyard additions that add value, marketability, or overall appeal.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a><\/p>\n

1. Make the backyard functional with a new deck or patio<\/h2>\n

With roughly $1.47 billion worth of grills and barbecues sold nationwide<\/a> each year, you\u2019d be remiss not to have some kind of designated spot to dine and entertain guests out back.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe backyard should be conducive to entertainment,\u201d Schwartz said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nice to have a little area where there would be a grill and a sitting area by the grill, and some covered space so when you\u2019re sitting outside, you\u2019re protected from the sun.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

According to HomeLight\u2019s Q2 Top Agent Insights survey, the average patio costing $3,269 adds $3,563 value to your home for a 9% ROI<\/a>. Not too shabby!<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, a new cedar deck ranks high on the Joy Score (9.8)<\/a>, a measure of average homeowner enjoyment of a particular project, with 10 being the highest, according to the 2018 Remodeling Impact Report<\/i> from the NALP and NAR. The report estimated a cost of $10,000 to build a 14×18-foot deck attached to the house with a ledger, along with decking, railing, stair treads, and sealer, recovering 80% of that at resale.<\/p>\n

Remodeling <\/i>magazine\u2019s 2019 Cost vs. Value Report calculated a similar ROI of 76%<\/a> after spending about $13,000 on a 16×20-foot deck that included a built-in bench and planter.<\/p>\n

But before you go pouring down slabs of concrete just to boost your sale price, check out HomeLight\u2019s guide to patio ROI<\/a> with tips from real estate experts and top-rated patio contractors to get the most out of this investment.<\/p>\n

2. An outdoor kitchen appeals to luxury buyers<\/h2>\n

Outdoor cooking spaces topped the American Institute of Architects\u2019 list of kitchen and bath trends<\/a> for the fourth quarter of 2018\u2014and they can be a big draw for potential buyers, especially in a higher price range. With a small area for a wet bar, \u201ceverything can be done outside your home. The inside does not need to get dirty,\u201d Schwartz said.<\/p>\n

An estimated $14,000 outdoor kitchen project can recoup about 71%<\/a> at resale. A more expansive project<\/a>, such as installing a 20×20-foot flagstone patio with a modular kitchen unit, all-weather deck chairs, and a cedar pergola, costs about $57,000 but recoups about 55 percent of that at resale\u2014almost 7% more than in 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Specialty appliances<\/a> like Argentinian grills, wine refrigerators, side burners, dishwashers, and pizza ovens add sophistication to an outdoor kitchen, according to the San Antonio Express-News<\/i>, along with a natural stone or tempered backsplash and sleek, modular cabinetry.<\/p>\n

Consider sectioning areas of your backyard as extensions of rooms of your house, as landscape architect Joseph Marek did with this outdoor kitchen, dining patio with pergola<\/a>, lounge area, and sun deck in Santa Monica, California. Having a sheltered spot for cooking and dining just off the indoor kitchen makes it easy to carry food in and out, even when you\u2019re not grilling.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Tong Zhao\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Maintain a pristine lawn with an irrigation system<\/h2>\n

For a lawn of about 2,800 square feet, installing an irrigation system isn\u2019t a huge cost\u2014about $3,500, landscape professionals say. But you can recover about 86%<\/a> of that at resale.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can find a house with a sprinkler system, that’s great,\u201d Schwartz said. \u201cYour grass will always look lush and beautiful, as well as all your landscaping.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Marianne\/ Pexels)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Landscape for privacy<\/h2>\n

Landscaping in general makes a strong impact, with 17%<\/a> of real estate agents noting that a landscaping maintenance program recently sealed a deal for them. And costs recovered are typically 100%.<\/p>\n

A nice hedge can create a protected feel to your backyard, so \u201cit feels very private. No neighbors looking in,\u201d Schwartz said.<\/p>\n

Climbing plants, trimmed boxwood shrubs, and other greenery can work in tandem with a pergola or other fencing to create a soft, secluded feel<\/a>, Better Homes Gardens <\/i>says. Mature trees\u2014not planted too close to your house<\/a> so they don\u2019t uproot the foundation or provide a burglar access to the upstairs\u2014also can add privacy and have an appraised value of between $1,000 to $10,000<\/a>, according to the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers.<\/p>\n

While the ROI of a privacy fence<\/a> can vary depending on the materials and condition, a well-maintained fence is definitely a perk that safeguards children and pets at play.<\/p>\n

5. Add an outdoor shower by the pool<\/h2>\n

A well-marketed in-ground pool can boost your home\u2019s value by as much as 7%<\/a>, although it does come with maintenance costs. Unless you live in a state with a warm climate, such as Florida, California, Arizona, or Hawaii, where you can enjoy it year-round, it\u2019s also not a guaranteed draw for buyers.<\/p>\n

That said, if having a pool makes sense for your location, you can make it more attractive by installing some type of outdoor shower.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf a cabana bath doesn\u2019t fit, that’s always a good thing to have,\u201d Schwartz said. \u201cJust so the kids can shower in their bathing suits and walk into the house pretty much clean from the chlorine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lowe\u2019s offers the G.F. Garden Sunny Style Premium Solar Shower<\/a> for $109 and the Boston Loft Furnishings Dark Brown Outdoor Shower<\/a> for $263.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Source: (CMDR Shane\/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Fire pits bring joy, but check your community restrictions<\/h2>\n

Consumers ranked this at a 10 on the Joy Score for the NAR and NALP, which noted it provides an average 67% ROI<\/a>\u2014although costs vary depending on the type of fire pit and whether it\u2019s permanent or mobile. A permanent walled type is a popular outdoor design element<\/a>, but it also might not be allowed in your community. Check with your city or county fire department, as well as your homeowners\u2019 association, about any restrictions.<\/p>\n

7. Watch out for water feature maintenance<\/h2>\n

Although water features such as a fountain, koi pond, or waterfall create peaceful ambiance, they can be perceived as particular to a certain price range<\/a>, according to the Appraisal Institute, the global professional association of real estate appraisers, and Aquascape, Inc., of St. Charles, Illinois, a leading manufacturer of water features and pond products.<\/p>\n

If your home is competing against others with high-end landscaping, a water feature could boost its value, but potential buyers also might think of the maintenance involved. \u201cThere\u2019s definitely upkeep to it,\u201d Schwartz said.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: (Sarah Pflug\/<\/a>\u00a0Burst<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Think of sound systems like a bonus<\/h2>\n

Nothing helps turn your backyard into a party like music. \u201cIf it has a sound system already installed, people definitely like it,\u201d Schwartz said. That said, with technology like Amazon.com\u2019s Echo Dot smart speaker with Alexa<\/a>, being wired for sound isn\u2019t essential.<\/p>\n

As you consider which backyard features add value, don\u2019t overlook the appeal of highlighting the yard itself, especially as it\u2019s seen from within your home. Creating a relatively seamless transition with lots of natural light through stylish sliding doors or French doors beckons people to come out and stay for a while.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easy access in and out, and it\u2019s just inviting,\u201d Schwartz said. \u201cIf you\u2019ve made your backyard a little bit of a focal point and it\u2019s really nicely maintained, people love that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Header Image Source: (Artazum\/ Shutterstock)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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