And one that likely won’t!
When you’re making improvements to your home, you should always do so with an eye to the possibility of selling it one day. That’s true for the outside, as much as the inside! Of course, you still have to enjoy your green space. After all, our summers are short and if you’ve got the benefit of outdoor space to enjoy some of it, you absolutely must!
There are improvements you can make to your garden and landscaping that will add value and others that won’t, so if you’re working within a budget, you might want to keep some of these in mind.
Good fences make good neighbours
Robert Frost said so in his poem ‘Mending Wall’, and when it comes to property in Toronto, it’s definitely true. A solid fence in good condition and repair brings value to a home. It could be that all yours needs is a good power wash or a coat of stain, but if it’s in bad shape, it’s a good idea to have it fixed or replaced. For one thing, a good fence keeps pets and kids safer when they’re playing out of doors. For another, it’s pleasant to have some privacy when you’re sitting out in the evening.
Keep the maintenance manageable
Elaborate French style gardens or topiaries might seem like a good idea, but when you have to maintain them to keep the look going, they could end up being an expensive regret. Adding elaborate landscaping that will require a team of professionals to maintain to the standard that they were at when first put in isn’t going to be a great investment for you, over the long term. Also, trends in gardening change, so stick with a classic look that will appeal to you and future buyers alike.
A shed for the extras
A decent sized, good quality shed is a worthwhile addition. Not every home comes with a garage and if yours doesn’t, a shed is useful for the garden tools, mower and so on. You can get really nice ones in different styles that will suit your available space; and as long as it is under 10 square metres,
you don’t need a permit in the City of Toronto.
Alfresco dining spot
Whether you build a deck or you use patio stones to create an outside eating area, complete with gazebo, pergola or umbrella, a designated space to be able to sit and sip a drink without treading on the grass is a must. One of the biggest reasons people want outdoor space at all in the city is to be able to skip going to the restaurant and have their very own patio to enjoy on a summer day, with the BBQ going, and friends arriving. The newer composite materials that deck builders are using will cost a little more up front but will last a long time and add to your home’s value.
TIP: If you’re adding a deck, don’t go bigger than 1/5th of the available yard space. Anything bigger will be overwhelming.
If you have the space and the time, add trees
Trees are a hefty investment at the outset but they are an elegant, long term addition that create shade, as well as privacy. Just be careful of where you add them on your property, as future home renovation projects can be impacted by ‘significant’ trees, as can the ease with which you get rid of a tree, even if it’s on your property.
Check out my earlier post on this topic for more details on that issue. If you live in a new development in particular, having trees will add extra value to your home, as they typically don’t come with any.
Look at your house from the road
If you are thinking of selling in the next while, curb appeal counts. The first impression people have of your home is the one they get walking up the drive or walkway to the front door. Make sure to wow them with a clean, well maintained look. Paint the door, upgrade the porch railings, fix any retaining walls or pathways that might have gotten moved or bumpy thanks to the freeze / thaw patterns we see every winter. A little goes a long way with the front of the house but don’t ignore it!
Skip the pool
A lot of people disagree on pools: do they add value or don’t they? I’ve written about this before—
The Pros and Cons of a Home with a Pool—and the bottom line is that they are a major expense, both at the outset to put in and, over the longer term, to maintain. You aren’t likely to recoup your investment in the sale price of your home either as there’s quite a large segment of buyers who aren’t interested in the bother of a pool.
These investments in your outdoor spaces can add anywhere from 10 – 40 percent return on investment, so they are definitely worth considering from a resale point of view. They are also the kind of updates that make a house a home, so that your outdoor living space becomes functional and enjoyable too.
