There are not many places better suited for fun and relaxation than your own backyard. And this point will not be lost on any potential buyers for your home. The simple and inexpensive backyard upgrades discussed below will pay dividends when it is time to place your home for sale.

Outdoor Entertainment Area

Prospective homebuyers will love the idea of having a designated space in the backyard to dine and entertain guests. One way to provide this perk is to outfit your backyard with a new deck or patio. There are many benefits of installing a deck that can really help appeal to potential buyers. A deck is a perfect place to hold family gatherings and other get-togethers. You can even add an outdoor kitchen or grill to the patio to make it more appealing. A deck can increase the square footage of a home. When the weather permits, there is more room to read, eat, relax, or enjoy other activities at home. The aesthetic value added to your home will also increase your asking price for the home. It is estimated that 70 percent of the cost to build the deck will likely be recouped when selling the home.

A Place for the Kids to Play

Outdoor playtime is important for children of all ages. But all too often, kids will prefer to spend their time indoors with their video games versus playtime in the outdoors. You can combat this trend and attract the interest of more buyers by making your backyard a place that is both kid-friendly and fun. Homeowners will appreciate knowing their children are afforded all the outdoor fun they desire in the safety of their own backyard. A sandbox is one simple suggestion that can be enjoyed by kids as young as a year old. Other ideas include swing sets, playhouses, and forts. The fun a child can have in a backyard is only limited to the imagination.

Water and Lighting Features

In-ground swimming pools have been known to increase the value of a home by as much as seven percent. Many homeowners are also more attracted to a home with a pool than one with similar specifications and no pool. The value a pool adds to your home will be more substantial if you live in a climate where the pool can be enjoyed year-round. You can make your pool even more attractive to potential buyers by adding a shower. A simple shower where the kids can wash the chlorine from their bodies before reentering the home is all that is needed. Backyard lighting is also a great attraction to potential homebuyers. Lights can be used to add security and peace of mind. Path lighting will add to the aesthetic value of the backyard while providing illumination to ensure a safe walk in the dark. String lighting is perfect for entertaining guests.

Irrigation System

A good irrigation system will keep your lawn green and healthy while adding to the appeal of your backyard. An irrigation system is a relatively inexpensive addition to a backyard and about 86 percent of the cost of the system can be recovered when the home is sold.

Landscape With Privacy in Mind

A good landscaping program will make it much easier to sell your home. Real estate agents often report sales being sealed because of the landscaping. Furthermore, it is not unusual for 100 percent of landscaping costs to be recouped at a home sale. Landscaping for privacy can add even more value to the home. A well-manicured hedge can add a sense of privacy when enjoying your backyard and will also benefit the aesthetic value of the yard. Mature trees planted a proper distance from your home can produce the same effect. The Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers reports that each mature tree can add $1,000 to $10,000 to the value of a home.

Backyard additions can be used to increase the offers made for your home in a number of ways. The yard can become an extension of the home that adds more living space, the backyard can become a place that provides endless entertainment for a new homeowner, or a potential buyer may become completely smitten with the aesthetics of the backyard. The five additions above are great ideas for facilitating one or more of these benefits.

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