Top 8 Backyard Improvements That Add Value to Your Home

Thinking of selling your home?

Updating or renovating the front yard and inside of your house is important when it comes to increasing your property’s value, but don’t forget about the backyard!

Sprucing up your backyard is just as important and can add maximum value.

Image via: Unsplash

Since the pandemic started, outdoor living has become a favourite pastime for many people. This means having a nice garden or outdoor entertaining area will be appealing to many homebuyers and can help boost the value of your home.

So what are the other ways you can improve your backyard to get the best price for your property? Read on.

1. Clean and tidy the yard

Get rid of old rubbish, rubble and toys, remove overgrown shrubs and bushes, and repair or replace a broken fence. If your fencing and garden trellis are dirty or have graffiti on them from your children, clean or repaint them.

If you have pathways, pressure wash them, remove moss or mould stains, and fix cracks. As for the lawn, mow tall grass and repair patchy lawn with seed or new sod. A fresh-looking and up-to-date backyard can add significant value to your home.

2. Create a low maintenance garden

A low maintenance garden saves on upkeep and time and will appeal to more potential buyers.

Try building small raised beds surrounded by rocks or pebbles, or put plants and flowers in containers. Grow low-care perennials, shrubs, bushes or hedges, and water-wise plants like succulents.

You can also replace turf grass with foot-friendly ground covers to compete with weeds or with artificial grass for little irrigation. Plus, don’t forget to add colour to your garden with colourful flowers and plants, flowering shrubs, coloured bark, and ornamental grasses.

3. Add a water feature

Another thing you can add to your garden is a water feature, such as a fountain or ornamental pond with mini sculptures. This’ll give your backyard the feel of an outdoor oasis.

Water can be repurposed from inside the house and with recirculating pumps for environmental friendliness. What’s more, adding a hot tub can further boost the value of your backyard.

4. Install water systems

Want to conserve water and save money on water bills? Consider installing a rainwater recycling system. It’ll make your home sustainable and lessen your dependence on utility companies.

On the other hand, if you don’t have the time or interest in watering your backyard yourself, an irrigation system can keep it looking good. Potential buyers will love these water systems.

5. Build an outdoor entertaining area

The pandemic has led to people spending more time outdoors in their own backyard, so buyers will be looking for an outdoor entertaining area that combines kitchen/dining/living in one for family gatherings and parties. It can enhance the value of your home, depending on how it’s set up. Here are some tips:

• Build a deck or patio with a table and some chairs. Choose outdoor furniture made of wicker, cast aluminium, or teak. You might also want to consider built-in seating with cushions.
• Add a TV, rug, container plants, and a built-in or portable fire pit for cool nights.
• Have an outdoor kitchen with a fridge, stove, oven, sink, and BBQ grill. You could opt for a portable BBQ instead of a built-in one.
• Offer privacy and shade with a roof over the area, such as a pergola, gazebo, pavilion, or waterproof awning. Consider installing a ceiling fan under a solid roof.
• Lay pathways that lead to the rest of the backyard.

6. Include a swimming pool

A swimming pool isn’t really useful in winter, requires chlorine monitoring in summer, and needs to be closed in by a fence for safety. However, due to the pandemic “people are spending way more time at home now, and that has increased the demand for pools,” says realtor/associate broker Bill Golden.

This means developing your backyard to include a pool can improve its value and be a good selling point, especially if your house is competing with other homes that have pools on the market.

7. Plant trees

Healthy and well-maintained trees can also raise the value of your property. Well-placed shade trees can reduce energy costs by a few hundred dollars a year.

But contact your local council first to find out what type or height of trees are allowed. It’s usually better to plant younger trees, but if you’re selling within 3-5 years, you’ll need an older/bigger tree to maximise your home’s value. You can also plant fruit trees for free food! Prospective buyers will love it.

8. Light it up

If you have an entertaining area or swimming pool, adding outdoor lights to these spaces can make your backyard look amazing at night. Consider installing mood lighting or Malibu lighting, which runs on solar power. It’ll show off your garden at night, silhouette your trees, reduce the risk of tripping, and keep burglars away.

Posting photos of your backyard lit up at night can help people imagine what the nightlife would be like in your home.

Maximising value with your backyard

So there you have eight ways in which you can add a wow factor to your backyard and get a good return on your investment.

But before you start planning, understand who you’re selling to, consider your location, speak to your real estate agent about the changes you want to make to your backyard, and have a look at other houses on the market to give you ideas – you could make yours even better!

Then you’ll have a better chance of selling your home faster and for a higher price.