Homeowners like to talk a lot about interior investments and which ones are worth the money. For example, most of you are aware that a kitchen makeover will boost your home’s value and that finishing the basement will not only increase the value of your home, but it will also add more living space. And while exterior investments in your home will give your property a better look, you might wonder if they boost the value or are even worth the money you spend. You might even be surprised to discover that a few outdoor upgrades may, in fact, be a turn-off for many potential buyers. Nevertheless, here are a few outdoor projects that are worth every penny that you sink into them and the reasons why.
Some Outdoor Projects Just Aren’t Worth The Investment
Just because you spend a lot of money on an outdoor project, this does not mean it is worth the investment. In fact, you could be throwing your money away. Worse still, there are some outdoor projects that might turn off potential buyers when you decide to sell your home. Therefore, it would be wise to seriously consider the good points and bad points of these projects before committing to them.
RELATED: Enhance Your Patio With Concrete Stamping
Outdoor Pool– Having an outdoor pool installed costs a lot of money upfront. In addition, it is also expensive to maintain a pool over the years. Cost aside, outdoor pools also require a lot of maintenance that will keep you quite busy on the weekends. And then you need to consider that an outdoor pool might be a put-off to potential buyers who worry about the cost of maintaining a pool and that they can pose a danger to children. Sure, a pool gives you cred in the neighborhood, and they are fun to use, but a pool might not be worth the investment.
Tennis Court– You might think that if you have a lot of outdoor space, you should install a tennis court. Tennis is a fun game to play, and you could use the added exercise, but it still might not be worth the investment. A tennis court ranks pretty low on the return your get for your investment, and it may turn off a few potential buyers who wouldn’t know what to do with a tennis court in their yard.
Solar Panels– Solar panels will cut the cost of your utility bills, and they will reduce your carbon footprint, but you can expect a return on your investment at around only 10 percent.
Sunroom– The addition of a sunroom will allow you to enjoy the outdoors without actually going outside, but you won’t get very much on your return. A sunroom is a costly project that won’t put money back into your pocket when you sell your home. It’s an investment that is better served if you plan on staying at your current location for a long time.
If you want to improve your outdoor space, there are projects worth the investment. Here are just a few.
Fire Feature
A fire pit or other type of fire feature is an investment that will put money back into your bank account when you sell your house. Not only is a fire feature an excellent investment, but it’s also an addition that will serve you well for years to come. You don’t have to break the bank to have a fire feature installed on your property, and it will keep you toasty warm in the colder months of the year, and it will add ambiance. A fire feature will also allow you to extend the amount of time you enjoy sitting on your patio.
Replace The Doors
If your garage door is looking rather sad, don’t hesitate to have it replaced. Upgrading your garage door isn’t going to cost you a lot of money, and you will get a significant boost in curb appeal. Better still, you can expect to recoup well over 90 percent of what you pay for that new garage door.
While you’re at it, you might as well replace your front door if it has seen better days. You won’t believe what a difference a new front door will make to the overall look of your home. In addition to added curb appeal, a new front door will give you a really nice return on your investment.
A Little Landscaping
An outdoor makeover that could include a concrete walkway, planters, and flowering shrubs will make your home look simply fantastic. But the real beauty about landscaping is that it will give you a healthy return on your investment, and it will almost certainly increase the chances of a quick sale when you do put your house on the market.
Add a Patio
If you don’t already have a nice concrete patio, you might want to add one to your list of upcoming projects. A patio offers the perfect place for you and your family to hang out while soaking in the sun, grilling burgers, or just enjoying each other’s company. According to several sources, you can expect to recoup much of the money you spend on your new patio when you sell your house. In addition, not having a patio is a big problem when it comes time to put your home on the market.
If you are planning on doing any upgrades to your outdoor space in the coming new year, the time to get started on that is right now. No matter what the project, you need to get in touch with your contractor and get things rolling. Many of these are sizeable projects that will have to be planned and discussed. So please don’t wait for the spring rush to call your concrete contractor for a new patio; let’s get started right now.
NEXT: Is Stamped Concrete Outdated?
