Selling your home in boom times can seem like quite a different proposition from what we have today. But Pelican Bay and Bay Colony real estate veterans know that there are many factors that aren’t subject to change. One of them is the basic arithmetic of residential space: bigger sells for more.
That’s where you -- if you’re an area homeowner thinking about selling your home this summer or fall -- can have make a real impact. Especially if you think ‘deck’!
A backyard deck can add outsized value to any home by providing functional outdoor space – truly adding to the square footage of usable living area throughout the seasons when weather allows. The square footage on the listing may not reflect it, but when it comes to showings and open houses, prospective buyers will remember the expansive feel that a wide deck provides.
If selling your home is in prospect, and you are planning to build or remodel your own deck, one first decision has to be made: use real wood or composite materials? A deck constructed of either will generate additional interest and value when it comes to selling your home -- but each offers its own benefits and drawbacks.
Wooden decks are considerably less expensive to install than their composite counterparts. Because you can stain wood to any color and shade, it’s easy to create a look that is compatible with the rest of your landscaping. And let’s face it -- wood offers unmatched natural beauty.
On the downside, wood decks require plenty of maintenance. Sanding, sealing and staining may be worthwhile projects, but are not everybody’s first choice for how to spend Saturday and Sunday.
On the other hand, while composite decking probably retains a smaller percentage of its installation cost, with a composite deck, virtually no maintenance is required – a fact that some prospective buyers will appreciate. The boards, often made of recycled materials, do not fade, splinter or split, as wood can. Despite the early composite offerings that were clearly fake, many now closely mimic the look of natural wood.
When it comes to selling your home in our area, your remodeling decisions can play a decisive role. If you are considering selling your home, contact me anytime to compare notes: I’m here for my clients from first step to last.
Comments(3)