There are many things homeowners do to improve the appeal and value of their home when they are trying to sell it. They will do expensive renovations, change the landscaping and carry out important repairs. Lately, homeowners have even added home staging to the arsenal of tools they have at their disposal for marketing their homes.
But very few homeowners think of the impact adding a simple fence would have on the home’s value. A fence around the perimeter of your home will help maximize its curb appeal and set the stage for what visitors will encounter inside the home. In addition to being ornamental, says Bigham & Associates LLC, a fence has functional benefits that will help it make your home more attractive to buyers.
If you have never considered adding a fence to your home, you should because there is evidence that premium fencing around your home with well-maintained gardens can improve the home’s value by as much as 20%.
But why is a fence one of the best additions to make to your home when trying to sell it?
Why buyers pay more if a home has a good fence around it
A fence serves four primary purposes. And buyers will pay more for a home in order to gain these four benefits.
Safety
A sturdy perimeter fence ensures the safety of the children and pets inside a home. Owners of small pets and parents with little children may be reluctant to buy a home if it lacks proper fencing. Even if they could install the fence themselves, most buyers want to avoid the cost and trouble of doing renovations to a recently-purchased home. Instead, they will prefer to pay higher for a home if it already has the type of fencing they want.
Security
A fence serves as a psychological and physical deterrent to criminals. It makes the home less attractive for unauthorized entry. Also, if the home has a swimming pool, the fence can help prevent unauthorized access to the pool area. This protects the homeowner from liabilities that may follow incidents at the pool. Furthermore, in a home that is close to a forested area or grassy field, fencing it will help keep wild animals out of the premises.
Privacy
If a home is near a busy road or in a highly-populated area, the fence will solve some of its privacy issues. Even if the home is in a relatively secluded environment, fencing can keep nosey neighbors and passersby out of homeowners’ business. Furthermore, a fence serves as a buffer to reduce noise pollution from the surrounding areas. Essentially, a privacy fence will let homeowners get more use out of their yard.
Charm
There is no denying the understated charm of a picket fence or any other type of ornamental fencing. It helps to define the boundaries of your home and accentuates other elements of the front yard. Even if a fence serves no practical purpose, its mere presence and the decorative features on it can help the listing photos of that home standout.
Things to think about when installing a fence
Fence placement
Where you put the fence matters; it can enhance or diminish the home’s value. A high fence in the front yard may block the home from view and make it less attractive. But the same height of fencing at the back can improve privacy and block unpleasant sights from view.
The fencing material
A chain-link fence, though aesthetically-pleasing, will not improve the sales price of your home. Conversely, a wood, aluminum, and cast iron fence will result in significant improvements to the value of the home. The ROI of adding these second types of fencing can be as much as 50%.
Quality of installation
Quality of installation will add or deduct from the fence’s overall appeal. When adding a fence to improve the value of your home, having a professional do it is recommended. A fence needs to be properly installed if it will be able to withstand the force of wind, rain, and wild animals.
Fence maintenance
The appearance of a fence and the ease with which it can be maintained are factors prospective buyers think about. The fence type most likely to improve your home’s value is a wood fence. But this type of fencing also comes with important maintenance requirements; it needs to be sealed and stained.
Fence design is critical
Before you install a fence around your home, look at the trends in your neighborhood. A fence will have more value if it fits the dominant style of the neighborhood. It should not deviate from the neighborhood’s aesthetics. Secondly, the fence should match the style of your home. If a home has a modern minimalistic design or Victorian-era architecture, you should look for a specific fence design that will complement and even enhance its style.
Adding a fence to your home is one of the least difficult but highly-impactful additions you can make to the home. You should think about doing it today!