How Does A Fence Increase The Value Of Your Home

Will Adding A Fence Increase The Value Of Your Home?

How Does A Fence Increase The Value Of Your Home

Privacy, security, aesthetics – these are probably the primary reasons that come to mind when considering installing a fence on your property.

Another reason you may not have thought of is the fact that it can increase your property value due to those above factors. Therefore, when it comes time to sell, a tastefully designed and functional fence could add a significant boost to your home’s price tag.

Although installing a fence may seem like a no-brainer, it’s important to remember it must be done right. Fencing is not always right for every home, and certain kinds of fencing can hinder a property’s resale value rather than help it.

With that being said, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when shopping for the right fence. If you’re looking for a budget friendly home improvement project to add value to your home, installing a fence might be a great option!  The amount it adds to your home’s overall value will depend on its design, functionality, and practicality.

Protecting Yourself & Your Home

The main function of a fence is privacy and safety. It creates a border, dictating where your property ends and someone else’s begins. Fences give home buyers a sense of added security – even if it is just a low-sitting picket fence. They minimize the risk of trespassing, as they send a clear message that anything beyond the fence is private property.

Furthermore, fences provide homeowners with a backdrop for “No Trespassing” signs. Without a fence, it is much easier for strangers to wander onto your property (and oftentimes, not even know that they are).

A fence’s subliminal promise of protection is an especially appealing factor for families. If your home is in a suburban area, where residents and interested buyers tend to be families with children, a fence can be a serious boost to your home’s selling potential.

Parents will pay good money to have a fence around their property – whether it’s to keep their children from running out onto the street or to give them peace of mind while they play out in the yard.

Buyers with pets will appreciate a fence for the same reasons, as they will be less likely to wander away or be endangered by passersby. In more urban areas, an enclosed front yard and backyard are most families’ only hope for a safe play space for their children.

Aesthetics & Curb Appeal

Fencing Can Improve The Curb Appeal – Learn How Fencing Can Increase The Value Of Your Home

An attractive fence can greatly improve the curb appeal of your home. Nobody can resist the quaint appearance of a polished white picket fence with roses poking through its slats and an elegant mailbox perched atop. Particularly when it comes to corner homes, fences can be beautiful and friendly structures that evoke a “Come on in!” sentiment more than a “Stay out” one.

What’s more, a home with excellent curb appeal is an excellent way to attract more home buyers and improve the overall first impression a buyer gets from a home.  Additionally, placing that “Open House” or “For Sale” sign beside a beautiful fence in a well-maintained front yard will make it more alluring to prospective buyers. Bottom line, a beautiful fence typically increases the number of prospective buyers.

Physical appearance plays an extremely important role in the price of a home. In fact, the American Society of Landscape Architects has even assessed that landscaping (which fencing falls under) can increase a property’s value by nearly 20 percent.

This means that, on a home valued at $200,000 (the median home price in the U.S., according to Zillow), a properly landscaped fence could add $40,000 to the selling price. HomeAdvisor estimates the national average cost of fence installation to be about $2700, which means a serious return-on-investment (ROI) for you as a seller.

Naturally, this general rule does not apply to all fencing types. Budget-friendly chain link fencing is not known for its curb appeal and can actually create a “fixer upper” feel to a home more than anything.

While chain link fencing can be excellent for large backyards with significant acreage where you want to establish boundaries, it is not a wise choice if you’re aiming for curb appeal. If a nice fence is not in the budget for you, it may be better to have no fence than a low-caliber one.

Other Considerations

The traditional picket fence is a classic, but there are a few other ways you can get bang for your buck. Depending on the kind of fencing you install, the more you could get for your home.

For example, a wooden fence is an excellent option for the mid-range budget. They’re sturdy, attractive, and can be stained to match other structures in your yard. Furthermore, they tend to blend in well with all kinds of home types, and seem to be a fail-safe option.

If you’re thinking about selling a luxury home in the future and considering a fence, vinyl fencing is the go-to. Not only is it practically maintenance free, with only the up-front installation costs to worry about, but it gives off a sleek and clean look. Furthermore, there is some heavy-duty vinyl fencing available that is essentially indestructible, truly protecting your property from trespassers and other unwanted visitors.

For the low-budget homeowner that still wants to establish space, live fencing featuring trees, shrubs, and bushes is a must. Hedges are great for this, as their height creates privacy. Live fencing has a lower upfront cost, although it can require more maintenance due to gardening demands.

Nonetheless, if you’re an avid gardener and don’t mind performing summer home maintenance tasks, you could save a significant amount of money by going the Live fencing route. Live fencing has the added functionality of shade provision as well. While this may not be the most logical option in drought-prone areas, it’s certainly a low-cost investment with a high payoff.

Do I Need a Fence At All?

Do I Need A Fence At All – Important Questions To Consider When Deciding

Fencing is not always a value-added feature and you may want to consult with an experienced realtor to assess whether fencing is the right option for your home. For example, if you live on a street or in a neighborhood where fencing is a rarity, it may not be as appealing a feature.

Many homeowners wonder how the market value of a home is determined.  It’s quite simple, the value of a home is determined by comparing the features of surrounding homes to the features of your own home.  Therefore, if none of the other homes around yours have fencing, it may not lead to as much of a payoff.

Additionally, fences can be a touchy subject between neighbors, and if your neighbors are accustomed to no fencing in the neighborhood, they may not be prepared for that kind of an obstruction. As a result, you’ll end up spending more money than necessary on attorneys to determine where property lines are and who will be responsible for maintenance costs.

HGTV Appraisal Expert Leslie Sellers also suggests that fences for higher-end homes may not be a good idea. With high-end homes where selling price is likely at its maximum, a fence may not necessarily make much of a difference and could detract from (or worse, obscure) the beauty of the home itself. That is, unless there is true need for it, such as in the case of high-profile residents or noise obstruction.

Partial fencing is also a viable option if you’re looking to save money but still increase your home’s allure. Installing a fence in the backyard only allows you to maintain privacy from neighbors without the exhaustive upkeep of all-around fencing.

If you live in a rural area, it can also prevent your property from being accessed by wildlife. Homeowners with very large backyards can use fencing to establish a sure property line, as well as exaggerate the largeness of the property’s acreage. A fence that appears far away feeds the illusion of immense personal space more than no fence at all, which creates unsureness more than anything.

The key to a lucrative, high-ROI fence is rooted in its usability, appearance, and context. Fencing done right can establish boundaries and evoke charm, while simultaneously enticing buyers and getting you the best possible offer.

Other Helpful Home Improvement Resources

• Is It Important To Get A Permit For Additions & Improvements via Bill Gassett
• HOT Summer Curb Appeal Tips via Luke Skar
• 6 Major Landscaping Mistakes To Avoid via Xavier DeBuck (ImmoAfrica)

About The Author: The above article “How Does A Fence Increase The Value Of Your Home” was written by Ellie Batchiyska.  Ellie is a writer for Viking Fence, a Texas-based residential and commercial fence supplier.

About Rochester’s Real Estate Blog: Rochester’s Real Estate Blog is owned and operated by Kyle Hiscock of the Hiscock Sold Team at RE/MAX Realty Group.

With over 35 years of combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise.

We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY.