What happens when people spend more time at home? They want more from their homes than in the past. In Arizona, home buyers are talking about outdoor features for entertaining and making their everyday lives more enjoyable. That’s right, living spaces are extending to the outdoors. Here are some of the top features that the real estate experts from HomeLight revealed in a recent survey of more than 1,000 agents from across the country, that are all about making those outdoor areas more enjoyable.
Photo by StudioNisho
Protection from the elements
Agents in Arizona and New Mexico said when it comes to backyards and outdoor dining areas, it’s all about creating comfort outside. For the approaching summer months, agents say buyers are eyeing a shade covering, especially for dining areas, and in fact 52 percent of top agent insights in our area recommended that as an add to appeal to buyers. A retractable sun shade might be worth considering if you have a very large space, or if your home has a dedicated outdoor dining area. A space with an umbrella can be used for staging to give people an idea of what’s possible.
Dining al fresco
It’s probably no surprise to hear that buyers see an outdoor cooking and dining area as highly desirable — but in 2021, we are talking about more than just a barbecue. Agents are seeing a trend towards full outdoor kitchens, especially in the South Central United States, where 50 percent of survey respondents said they are seeing this feature as a huge bonus. Some sellers are going all out with this upgrade to include a range, sink, wetbar, and refrigerator. Agents caution however, if you are upgrading to sell, consider the cost and how much space you have before going for a full upgrade — do you really want to sink money into a space that you won’t get to enjoy? Like with a sun shade, staging the area to show the possibilities can go a long way to help home chefs envision what’s possible.
Make it cozy with a fire pit
If you want to add a feature that can work for both summer and cooler months, you might want to consider a fire pit. More than 54 percent of agents surveyed across the United States pointed to a fire pit as a top outdoor upgrade, especially as social distancing remains the norm and people want to stay comfortable outside all year long. This is an ideal upgrade if you want to add some luxury to your backyard, without making it permanent, or breaking the bank. You can get an above ground design that you can move around to different parts of your yard, or opt for an in ground design if you have an ideal spot and want to make more of an investment for you or buyers to enjoy.
Privacy please
As outdoor areas are transformed into entertainment zones, privacy is becoming more important than ever. For homes that already have a fence or hedge, in 2021, they are becoming more thoughtful features to integrate into a backyard, with nearly 50 percent of agents saying buyers are paying attention to how this feature fits into an outdoor space.
Every backyard has its own unique appeal and it’s best to assess which areas to highlight and then see how you can incorporate any of these features into your upgrade when preparing to sell. If you are not sure what your timeline is for selling, you can take advantage of a pleasant backyard as we head into spring and summer, knowing that you are making upgrades that will appeal to buyers.
Call or email Realtor Fred Delgado for more info or to schedule a private showing. 602.308.8494 | Fred@FredDelgado.com.