Fabulous Returns

Nicole Wisniewski

A study by RealEstate.com suggests that landscaping and hardscaping can deliver a return on investment as high as 150%, an ROI that puts it ahead of popular home improvement projects like kitchen or bathroom updates.

“When I bring a buyer to a home that features state-of-the-art landscaping and elements like a fire pit and high-end pavers, there’s an immediate assumption that the inside of the house will be as spectacular as the outside,” says John Duffy of Duffy Real Estate. “Now we have research that shows homebuyers will pay a premium for a nicely landscaped property, particularly one that features elements like an outdoor fireplace and finishes in stone or brick. The new mantra in home buying is location, location, landscape.”

According to RealEstate.com, for every dollar spent on upgrading a backyard or outdoor space, a homeowner can expect to get back anywhere from 60 cents to $2. With up to 14% added to the home’s resale value; on a $500,000 home, that’s nearly $75,000.

According to EP Henry-authorized hardscaping contractor Blase DeMichele of B. DeMichele Inc. based in Media, Pennsylvania, the most popular items being requested by homeowners today are:

•     Outdoor fireplaces

•     Covered outdoor spaces with kitchen components

•     Stone veneer sitting walls

•     Fire pits

•     Patio pavers

The American Institute of Architects reports that 7-in-10 architects have noticed an increase in outdoor living’s popularity, while only 4% noted a decrease. GP