13 Outdoor Upgrades That Will Instantly Increase Home Value

When it comes to enhancing your curb appeal or elevating your backyard, the tried-and-true basic hardscape ideas like building a fire pit, adding an outdoor kitchen, or laying down patio pavers obviously come to mind. But, who said outdoor upgrades have to stop there?

We were curious to know what the other practical, less-thought of outdoor upgrades are that increases your home value, and after speaking to multiple experts, we found 13 ideas to try.

Land Clearing

Do you own a lot of land? If so, then one of the best ways you can increase your property value is by making your acreage more useful, whether it's for you or potential homebuyers later on. "Land clearing will also add great curb appeal to your property," says Alli Motsinger, owner of Tobacco Ridge Clearing, Grading, & Septic Co. "Opening up your property to allow for more usable land for recreation, farming, or build sites can truly beautify your property. While this is more costly, the upkeep and maintenance will be a lot easier over time."

Compared to other ideas on this list, like forestry mulching, land clearing can be pretty costly depending on how much you're clearing off and the type of species you're having removed. "Another cost factor to consider is the topography of the property that lends to the difficulty of the project. If clearing the property, the means of disposal of the removed vegetation will also be added to the end cost," she says.

Forestry Mulching

Similar to land clearing, forestry mulching is another way to clear unwanted trees or shrubs on your property while enhancing yard aesthetics at a reduced cost.

"Forestry mulching is a wonderful, cost-effective option to add value to your lot by cleaning up smaller vegetation and downfall around established vegetation by eco-friendly methods without disturbing the soil," Alli says. "This method leaves the root systems intact without causing sediment erosion issues."

But our favorite part of this unthought of upgrade is that it creates what Daniel Motsinger, who also owns Tobacco Ridge Clearing, Grading, & Septic Co. with Alli, calls a "park like scene in your own backyard" from the left behind mulch. "This is a better option than total clearing if you are not looking to sow grass or plant a crop but are wanting to have more usable space in your wooded or recreational areas. Forestry mulching is also a good way to gain back lost property due to encroaching wood lines," he says.

Fence Installation

Other than it's privacy benefits, Luke Beerman who is the CEO and Founder of Freedom Fence, says installing a fence of any kind (though preferably anything other than a chain link) has several other benefits in terms of increasing your property value. "Adding a fence to your home is one of the very ways to improve its market value. A fence can help you attract certain types of home buyers, highlight specific features of your home, help you avoid disputes with neighbors, and make your yard more usable," he says.

Special Feature Enhancement

If you're like us, then the houses that catch your eye when residential shopping are the ones with pool or other special features in the backyard, so why not make your home an instant eye-catcher? Upgrade your property and value by adding certain special features to your property like a pool, sauna, or shaded area like pergola or gazebo.

"According to the National Association of Realtors, 42% of homebuyers view a sauna as a highly desirable feature. By installing one, you can make your property more attractive to potential buyers, potentially increasing your home's resale value by 50-80%," says Dr. Raleigh Duncan, the CEO and Founder of Clearlight.

Build A New Addition

Once you clear off extra space around your property, entice future homebuyers even more by making the area multifunctional with a new addition. Home add-ons don't have to be attached to the primary residence. There are several new additions you can build on your property like a pool house, in-law suite, ADU (accessory dwelling unit), garage shop, and more, like a totally envious functional shed.

"Homes priced with an ADU are about 35% higher on average and show a 1.5X return on the retail cost of the product, according to a study by Porch.com," says Jeremy Nova, co-founder of Studio Shed. "Homeowners are increasingly adding ADUs to their backyards, drawn by the potential for a substantial increase in property value and a strong ROI and they are a smart investment, thanks in part to new regulations across the country that are making them easier to build."

Refresh Windows

Has it been a while since your house has seen new windows? Remember that not every upgrade has to be a grand design. Some of the best outdoor upgrades can be updating necessary parts of your home, like your windows, which can beautify outdoor aesthetics with certain color and style choice.

But, more importantly, the phrase "new windows" is appealing to potential homebuyers since it erases an expensive task they'll have to take care of in the near future. "Consider replacing your windows especially if they are not energy efficient or double-paned," says Debbie Mathews, an interior designer in Nashville, Tennessee. "This can help to reduce utility bills which can be very attractive to homebuyers and increase your home's aesthetic appeal."

Maintain The Yard (Minimally)

"First and foremost, a well maintained and manicured yard that requires little maintenance can bump the value of your home by as much as 10%," Mathews informs. "Buyers want to feel that when they purchase a property that it has been well cared for with plant material that appears healthy and robust."

So, in essence, make sure you keep up with routine yard mowing and plant a couple of low-maintenance shrubs or flowers around in your front porch flower bed to elevate the curb appeal without all the work. To really incentivize prospects, Mathews says installing an irrigation system is another way to attract homeowners by making your landscaping more functional and time-saving.

Illuminate Differently

One of our favorite DIY project to complete in a weekend is updating interior lights, but what about your outdoor lights? It's true to enhancing your landscape lighting or replacing your exterior fixtures can increase your property value since it makes your house look more attractive and inviting.

Replace The Roof & Gutters

Another one of the less-flashy-but-totally-worth-it-for-your-sale is updating your home's roof and gutters. "Replacing a roof can be very expensive but it is usually one of the first questions a potential homebuyer will ask-"How old is the roof?"," says Mathews. "An old, dirty, stained roof is not only unattractive but also has the potential to leak which can cause extensive and very expensive damage to a home's interior."

As for the gutters, Mathews says roof replacements are typically when homeowners are encouraged to replace their gutter system. "Gutters need to be functional in order to channel water away from the home's foundation," she says. "When gutters get old or rotted they can spring leaks in undesirable locations as well as serve as an eyesore to a home's exterior facade."

If you want a better-looking alternative to the gutter downspouts, Kristi Weaver who is a designer at Freemodel, says rain chains, rain barrels, and planters are places to start to enhance your home's aesthetics. "Visually they are much more pleasing than an aluminum downspout, and when it rains they can create a relaxing, soothing sound. Combine them with a rock garden or a flower garden, and rain chains are a great way to harmonize your property with nature," she says.

Repaint The Siding

Whether you want to create a new exterior look or cover up some chips, you can't go wrong with repainting your home's siding. "Updating the siding, whether by repainting or adding different types, can significantly increase the home's value. A simple change above the garage door can add visual interest without much cost," says Jospeh Patrick, a home construction expert at Lamont Bros. Design & Construction.

Although this is a simple change to create a brand new home look, painting the siding can be challenging if you don't have the proper tools (or time), so you might want to hire a professional to do it!

Swap The Garage Door

Similar to your windows, it might be time to treat your home to a new garage door. Not only does this upgrade elevate your exterior design, it also presents you with a 102% ROI when you go to sell!

Create A Custom Entry

"When considering outdoor upgrades that add value to a home, I recommend focusing on the entryway and front facade," Joseph Patrick of Lamont Bros. Design & Construction says. "Enhancing the entry, such as replacing outdated light fixtures and updating the front door, is a simple yet highly effective way to boost ROI." And one of his favorite ways to do it is by creating a custom entry with a timber frame.

Not only does this material give your front entrance a beautiful new addition (especially if your home doesn't have a front porch already), but it also helps to increase the strength since tiber is highly durable.

Update The Front Door

If you're looking for an outdoor upgrade to complete yourself, Mathews says to look no further than your front door. "I believe that a well tended front door that has a fresh coat of paint or stain can make a huge impression on potential homebuyers," she says. "Perhaps replacing your front door altogether is the best option. Maybe a new style that is in keeping with your home's architecture or adding glass."