Adding value to any structure often begins with a look at its inside function, but curb appeal and gardens have begun to be recognized as important outside home improvements. Many people believe adding a pool will help increase the value of their home if they want to sell it, but it can actually lower the appeal to prospective buyers. Many people today are looking for homes with low maintenance, and their initial impression of a home is important. Adding curb appeal and a garden could be a better investment for residents and buyers alike.
Modern homes are now expected to offer residents an oasis from the outside world, and they need to look the part before prospective buyers ever see the inside. Landscaping has become a major business in many residential areas, and even the look of the structure can add value. Planting raised flower beds, trimming trees and bushes into pleasing shapes, and adding a back patio are all ways to increase curb appeal.
Many developers have found that adding pools to houses can actually be a less effective tool for sales, and they have begun to add pools as a community amenity. Prospective residents will have to pay maintenance costs, but they are spread throughout the community, and many of them are quite reasonable. Developers have found pool maintenance can be an issue for people with busy lives, and they would rather share their pool with others instead of taking time out of their lives to keep their own pool ready for use. Spreading out the costs and hiring workers is a way to add value to the home.
Outdoor areas have become a place where people can relax and enjoy life, so adding a patio can add value to an existing home. Surrounding it with greenery and furnishing it with style has become a new way to attract buyers looking for a suburban oasis.
