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Expand Outdoors, Increase Your Home's Value

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Expand Outdoors, Increase Your Home's Value

With many Americans experiencing a financial pinch these days, there is a growing trend among homeowners nationwide to look to the outdoor areas of their own property for not only relaxation and entertainment value, but to also expand their living space and thereby, increase their home's value.

Through my national network of leading real estate professionals, the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have learned that homeowners across the country are spending more time at home and showing an increased interest in outdoor living areas. By sprucing up your patios, porches and decks, you are making your home more livable now and more attractive to future buyers.

Stylish patios and outdoor rooms with comfortable furnishings and convenient cooking and eating areas provide new opportunities for recreation and relaxing family times. A recent survey by the Propane Education & Research Council, found that 35% of homeowners have a finished outdoor room and 34% say they are planning to design one in the next year or two.

Some of my clients are even foregoing expensive vacations in favor of putting in a swimming pool. The reality is, however, that you do not need to make a major investment to improve your outdoor living areas. Here are five quick additions that will make an immediate difference:

1. Outdoor lighting units
2. Gas grills with cooking and food preparation surfaces
3. Outdoor fire pits or fireplaces
4. Patio heaters
5. Mosquito/bug eliminators


In any market, financial planners all agree, real estate is the best investment one can make. Increasing the value of that investment with features that extend and enhance the family living area is always a wise decision. For more information and ideas, feel free to e-mail me...and be sure to pass this on to family and friends who are ready to explore the "great outdoors."

Sincerely,

Le-Ann Vicquery

Kristen Correa, Broker
Kristen Correa Real Estate & Reedy Creek Realty Services - Keller, TX
I love coffee & real estate. I am out of coffee!

You are right -- don't forget your outside living space for added value! My husband doesn't generally score this well and make me this happy, but he made a very cool outdoor grill and fireplace recently and he did an amazing job. It looks very professional. I couldn't help but brag about him when I saw your post. So pardon me if I brag a sec :) I'm still a lil bit excited about it! If anyone wants tips on do-it-yourself, he's the MAN! p.s. We know we still have finishing touches and landscaping yet, but didn't he do a great job?

grill and fireplace

Apr 01, 2010 04:37 PM
Gary Swanson
Century 21 Harris & Taylor - Grants Pass, OR

Le-Ann, that is exactly what we are planning to do this summer.  Add on to our patio, and install a permanent barbecue area.

Apr 01, 2010 05:16 PM
Diane Williams
Pell City, AL

An outdoor living space adds life to a home.  Excellent post.

Apr 01, 2010 06:03 PM