There are many reasons why people would want to up upgrade their outdoors – to have an extra area to hang out when the weather is nice, to create their little piece of heaven, or to make neighbors jealous. What your reason is, doesn’t really matter – what matters is that you don’t upgrade your outdoors just for the sake of doing so but for the sake of improving your property’s value. Believe it or not, there are many outdoor upgrades with high ROI, with a high return on investment. Some of them can even increase the value of your property by up to 50%. So, use this winter time to plan for all the things you can change in your yard. And, if you need some inspiration, we got you.
1. Build an Outdoor Fire Pit
If you have some unused space in your yard, adding an outdoor fire pit may be the perfect solution. Doing this will not only make your summer nights unforgettable but will also increase the value of your home. Yes, an outdoor fire pit is one of those outdoor upgrades with the highest ROI.
However, be careful when adding this feature. There are many different types of outdoor fire pits, so choose wisely. Choose one that suits your yard and your needs – as that is the only fire pit that will increase the value of your home.
2. Add a Patio
When looking for outdoor upgrades with high ROI, you just can’t go wrong with a patio. This feature serves as an extra ‘room’ in a home, so it’s no wonder that it increases the value of a home by up to 30%.
If you do decide to implement a patio in the yard, be sure to do it right. Get good-quality building materials as well as some first-rate outdoor furniture. Don’t try to cut corners on this one – you will end up with a lousy deck or patio that won’t increase your ROI or pleasure.
Moreover, if you already have a deck, focus on this area. Use this fall time to upgrade it. You can, for instance, repaint the fence, deep-wash those stone pavers, add new lighting and plants, buy a swing for the corner, etc.
3. How about an Outdoor Kitchen?
What is the point of having a beautiful outdoor area if you are not going to host a garden party? Everybody loves those! We know you agree and know what is missing on that deck or patio, right? It is an outdoor kitchen.
An outdoor kitchen is another one of those outdoor upgrades with high ROI! So, be sure to add it to your patio or deck (if, of course, they are covered). You don’t have to go crazy with this one – a grill for that barbecue, an oven for that pizza, and some sort of a cooler for keeping those beers chilled are all you need.
4. Take Care of the Lawn
You can have the most beautiful yard, but if your lawn looks run down, don’t expect that outdoor area to increase the value of your home. The lawn is the first thing that people see when they come to your home, so be sure it is in perfect condition.
If taking care of your lawn seems too time and energy-consuming, consider using some of those fake lawns made of artificial grass, for example.
Moreover, don’t forget that you need to declutter your yard so that you can make that lawn really pop! There is no point in investing in a beautiful lawn and then covering it with stuff. Thus, if you have a lot of items scattered around your yard, consider moving them someplace else. If you have a garage or shed, put them there. But if you need a storage unit, make sure to explore different solutions and find the best deal.
5. Plant Trees, Bushes, and Flowers
Besides the lawn, there is one more thing your outdoor area needs. And that thing is decorations. However, when we say decoration, we don’t mean garden gnomes. We mean – trees, bushes, flowers, etc. These will transform the look of your old house and give it a fresh look.
But don’t go to a plant nursery and buy just any plants. You need ones suitable for your yard. That is, you need plants that will thrive in the soil you have in your yard and plants that will enrich your outdoor area in the best possible way. If you have no experience in starting your own garden, planting, and yard decorating, consider hiring a landscaper.
6. Pave the Way
When working on your lawn and plants, don’t forget to leave some space for the actual path from the street to your front door. Again, use some good-quality paving stones for this. First-rate stone is another one of those outdoor upgrades with high ROI.
You can also match the stone of your path with the one on your driveway. Or, you can match it with your facade. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, so finding one that suits your needs won’t be hard.
7. Install Lights
According to real estate experts, lights are also outdoor upgrades with the highest ROI. To install the best possible lights in your entire yard, you will need approximately $5,000, but you can expect more than a 60% return on investment. But don’t worry about the numbers; if you want to calculate ROI properly, you can install an app or, even better, ask your realtor to do it.
But let us go back to lights. With these, you should go all out. Find some stylish, modern, and effective outdoor lighting fixtures and watch them elevate the look of your home. Trust us; this will amp up your home’s curb appeal as soon as you touch that switch.
8. Fix That Facade
Speaking of outdoor upgrades with high ROI, we cannot but mention the facade. Just like the lawn, the facade is one of the first things people see when entering your yard. So, make sure it is looking its best.
And don’t worry – this project won’t break the bank. You don’t have to replace your entire facade; you can just repaint it. Or, if it is in really bad shape and replacing it is a must, focus only on the front of the house.
As you have seen, there are many outdoor upgrades with high ROI. We mentioned just 8 of them, but you already know that there are a ton of beautiful and effective things you can do to your yard. So, use your imagination. And, more importantly, before you put that imagination into practice, consult your realtor. Only a professional of this kind can tell you whether a certain upgrade will increase the value of your home or not.
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