Outdoor Improvements That Can Add Value to Your Property
The Property Perspective is a weekly radio show on 919 FM, airing every Tuesday at 4:15 PM with Al and Lesedi on The Drive Train.
Episode 19 | The Property Perspective with Etchells & Young
Spending R50,000 on your garden does not automatically add R50,000 to the value of your home.
In Episode 19 of The Property Perspective on 919 FM, Harry looks at which outdoor improvements can genuinely improve lifestyle and buyer appeal, and why homeowners should think carefully before pouring money into upgrades that may only suit their own personal taste.
In This Episode
Harry shares practical ideas for improving outdoor spaces without unnecessarily overcapitalising on the property.
Harry discusses:
Why spending more does not always add the same amount in value
Water-wise gardens and lower-maintenance landscaping
Outdoor lighting for appeal and security
Covered patios and outdoor living areas
Curb appeal and the importance of first impressions
Braai areas, pools and entertainment spaces
Why niche improvements may not appeal to future buyers
How to avoid overcapitalising on your property
Watch Episode 19
The Property Perspective airs weekly on 919 FM.
Outdoor Living Has Become an Important Selling Feature
South Africans spend a significant amount of time outdoors.
Braais, patios, pools and outdoor entertaining form part of how many families use their homes, which means these areas can influence a buyer's impression of a property.
Harry explains that outdoor spaces are increasingly being considered as an extension of the home's living space rather than simply the garden around it.
Spending R50,000 Does Not Automatically Add R50,000 in Value
One of the most important points in the episode is that improvement cost and added property value are not the same thing.
You may personally love a particular upgrade, but the next buyer may not place the same value on it.
Harry recommends balancing the lifestyle benefit you will enjoy while living in the property with how broadly appealing the improvement is likely to be when the home is eventually sold.
1. Consider a Water-Wise Garden
A beautiful garden does not need to require huge amounts of water or maintenance.
Harry recommends looking at water-wise planting, succulents and other options that can create an attractive outdoor space while reducing the amount of water needed to keep it looking good.
This can make the garden easier to maintain for the existing owner while also making the property more manageable for a future buyer.
Be Careful With Expensive Landscaping
Large landscaping projects can become expensive very quickly.
Harry cautions against assuming that moving soil, creating elaborate beds or spending heavily on specialised landscaping will necessarily produce the same return when the property is sold.
If you love gardening and will enjoy the improvement yourself, that has value.
But if your primary objective is return on investment, there may be other outdoor improvements where the money is better spent.
2. Use Outdoor Lighting to Improve Appeal
Good lighting can change the way a property feels without requiring a massive renovation budget.
Harry points out that many buyers view homes in the late afternoon or early evening.
Well-positioned exterior lighting can highlight the entrance, walkways, garden and entertainment areas while also improving the feeling of security.
Modern LED lighting can create this impact without needing to use large amounts of electricity.
3. A Covered Patio Can Become Another Living Space
A covered patio is one of the outdoor improvements Harry sees as particularly useful for South African homes.
Add a braai, dining area or weather protection and the space can function almost like another room.
In the episode, Harry gives the example of clear roll-down blinds that can close an entertainment area during winter and open it completely during summer.
This creates a space that can be used for a much larger portion of the year.
4. Don't Underestimate Curb Appeal
The first few seconds matter when a buyer arrives at a property.
Improving curb appeal does not necessarily require a huge budget.
Clean paving, trim the garden, remove weeds, tidy the entrance and make sure the property looks cared for from the street.
Harry suggests that simple improvements such as neat water-wise planting, pebbles and good lighting can make a meaningful difference to the initial impression of a home.
5. Create an Outdoor Entertainment Area
For many South African buyers, outdoor entertaining is part of the lifestyle they are looking for.
A practical braai area, comfortable patio, pool or fire pit can create a place where family and friends naturally gather.
Harry's focus is not on making the area extravagant.
The goal is to make the outdoor space usable, inviting and connected to the way people actually live in the home.
What If You Live in a Complex?
Owners in sectional title developments may have less freedom to make major exterior changes.
Scheme rules may limit what can be altered, especially where the outside appearance of the property is affected.
But there are still smaller improvements that can make a difference, such as attractive pot plants, balcony furniture and keeping exclusive-use areas neat and inviting.
Communal pools, clubhouses and braai areas can also provide the lifestyle appeal that an individual unit may not have space to offer.
Be Careful With Very Personal Improvements
One of the lighter examples in the episode is the idea of adding a koi pond.
It may be perfect for an owner who loves keeping fish, but it is also a specialised feature that requires maintenance and will not appeal to every buyer.
This is a useful rule for renovations generally: the more specialised the improvement, the smaller the pool of buyers who may see it as added value.
Personal enjoyment matters, but do not automatically assume your favourite feature will be equally valuable to someone else.
Avoid Overcapitalising
Before committing to a major improvement, consider the value of your home and the general price level of properties in the surrounding area.
Harry cautions against spending far beyond what the local market is likely to support.
Certain improvements may be worthwhile because you will personally enjoy them for years, but that is different from expecting the full cost to be recovered when the property is sold.
Know whether you are spending for lifestyle, resale value or a combination of the two.
Lifestyle Sells
The strongest outdoor improvements are often the ones that help a buyer imagine actually living in the property.
A braai area where friends can gather, a covered patio for family meals, a neat garden or a pool connected naturally to the entertainment space can make a home feel more complete.
Harry's advice is to focus on practical outdoor living rather than simply spending money for the sake of upgrading.
A Key Takeaway
Great outdoor spaces do not have to be hugely expensive.
Focus on improvements that make the property easier and more enjoyable to live in while still appealing to a broad range of future buyers.
Water-wise planting, good lighting, a neat entrance and a practical outdoor entertainment area can often do more for a property than an elaborate, highly personalised project.
Improve the lifestyle, but keep the future resale market in mind too.
What Is The Property Perspective?
The Property Perspective is Etchells & Young's weekly property segment on 919 FM.
Each episode explores a different aspect of property - from rentals and property management to buying, selling, legislation, sectional title living and the everyday questions property owners and tenants face.
Follow the series as we unpack more of the issues that matter to Johannesburg property owners, buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.
Thinking of Selling or Improving Your Property?
Before spending heavily on renovations, it helps to understand what buyers in your area value and where improvements are most likely to make a difference.
Speak to the Etchells & Young team for professional advice on your local property market and how best to position your home for sale.
