The addition of a fence to your home can serve several purposes. It can be used for privacy, it can stop wild animals from getting into your yard, and it can even help keep your pets and children safely in the yard. Did you know that it can also add to the value of your home, should you decide to sell?
Based on several factors such as material and maintenance, installing a privacy fence will increase the marketability of your home when you decide to sell the property.
Here are some ways a fence can increase the value of your home:
Position of the Fence
Having a nice fence can have decorative benefits like enhancing the appearance of your yard and home as a whole. If you live in a home with an aesthetically undesirable view out back, a strong, tall fence can block the view and create a much more aesthetic look for your backyard.
If the fence is placed correctly and is of a certain standard, it can have quite an impact on your home value. For example, a fence in the front yard may reduce the curb appeal of your home. However, a high-quality fence in the backyard can increase the value of the property.
Monetary Value vs. Purpose Value
While the fence may have monetary meaning for you, it may not to the buyer. Most homeowners like to have privacy in their backyard and a beautiful fence can be the perfect solution.
Homeowners that have pets or small children may consider a fence as a prerequisite when searching for a home and could be reluctant to purchase a home without one. Rather than spending money on installing a fence themselves, they may think that a higher price on a house with one already installed is worth the extra money. For the buyer, this means less time spent building a fence or finding a builder. You might even save a bit of money!
Fence Material
An important aspect that could be the difference of whether or not your fence becomes a valuable asset or forces the value of your property down, is the fence material. Wood fences among others, could potentially net at least 50 percent of the cost of materials and installation upon resale. This is mainly due to the look of the fence, as solid fences are considered more aesthetic can other options.
However, not every fence will greatly increase your home’s value. For example, a chain link fence is a less costly option to consider when buying a fence, but it is not as nice to look at as a solid wood fence thus it likely won’t increase the resale value as much.
Fence Maintenance
Regardless of how well a fence is built, it still needs to be well maintained over the years. If you install a wood fence, one of the most common and aesthetically pleasing materials, it is important to stain or seal the fence. Doing so will prevent the fence from rotting or being destroyed over the years.
If built with quality materials, with a high-level of craftsmanship and is well maintained, installing a fence has the potential to increase the resale value of your home!
Professional Installation
Having a professional install your fence can have positively impact the value of your home. If a good team installs the fence properly, it will stand the test of time even as it is subject to the harsh winters we experience here in Ottawa. Years after installation, the quality will hold and increase the value of your home when your ready to sell, and without significant additional costs.
If you do attempt to install the fence yourself, your lack of experience could result in a fence that falls below a home-buyer’s standards and might not add value to your home. In order to ensure the fence doesn’t decrease the value of your home, you may have to make an additional investment in the fence before showing the property.
If you’re considering an investment in a fence, feel free to contact Deluxe Fencing and Decks to ensure that your fence will look good as new when you’re ready to sell your home.
