Outdoor spaces can be amazing selling points for homes, especially in communities with as much natural beauty as Albany, Corvallis, and Lebanon. Creating new outdoor spaces adds enjoyment while you own the home, and choosing the right projects can help add value if you ever decide to sell. Our real estate agents have more on how to create outdoor spaces that both you and buyers will love.

Design Outdoor Spaces Buyers Will Appreciate

Start Small with Curb Appeal

Before making any big additions, it's well worth taking the time to handle essential curb-appeal tasks so you'll be building on a strong foundation. Here are a few key tasks, perfect for a sunny spring day:

• Make sure your lawn is healthy, well-maintained, and looking its best
• Trim trees and shrubs
• Remove natural debris that's built up over winter
• Keep kids' toys neat and tidy
• Pressure wash important surfaces like the driveway
• Consider adding plants and landscaping features for increased appeal
• Make sure exterior paint and your front door are looking great

Even if you don't add any new spaces, increasing curb appeal is essential to making a positive first impression on buyers, so these steps are worth the effort.

National Association of REALTORS® Study on Outdoor Spaces

From here on, we'll be citing data from a National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) study on the overall cost recovery and value of outdoor spaces. To build on the curb appeal theme, the three highest overall cost-recovery scores were for standard lawn care service (217 percent), landscape maintenance (104 percent), and overall landscape upgrades (100 percent).

Outdoor Kitchens Stand Out from the Pack

The only other outdoor feature to have a full 100 percent cost recovery in the NAR study was the addition of an outdoor kitchen. Outdoor kitchens are very popular among people who like to entertain guests, enjoy dining under the stars on spring and summer evenings, or simply have a special place for family meals year-round. The cost, potential features, and space requirements for outdoor kitchens vary widely, so you can choose a project that fits your budget and style.

General Use Spaces Also Win Big

Of course, an outdoor kitchen is even nicer with a great place to dine outdoors, so it's no surprise that general-use spaces like patios and decks score well in the NAR study, too. Adding a new patio had a cost recovery rate of 95 percent, while adding a new wood deck came in close behind at 89 percent cost recovery. Part of the appeal here is the wide-ranging utility of decks and patios. They're great for outdoor meals, family gatherings, playing with the kids, or just soaking up the sun, so they appeal to a wide variety of buyers.

Pools Are Riskier Additions

While pools appeal to many homeowners, their cost recovery rate of 56 percent was tied for the lowest in the NAR study. For some buyers, a pool is a major attraction, but for others, it offers neutral value or could even be considered a burden. This is primarily due to maintenance costs, time investment, and potential safety risks, especially for families with young kids.

Find a Home Where You Can Bring Your Dream Outdoor Spaces to Life

Searching for a home where you can create a true outdoor oasis for your family? Check out our new listings in Albany, new listings in Corvallis, and new listings in Lebanon/Sweet Home, to find a home that suits your style. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the area.