How Do We Create An Outdoor Space With Great Resale Value?

Dear Dave,

My wife and I have been in our new home for about a year now. We are considering putting in a hot tub.

We have a couple of different options to locate the hot tub and wanted your advice. One idea would be to put the hot tub on the small patio that is off our master bedroom. However, that would be the only access and we aren’t sure that is a good idea. The other option is to put it on our patio off the dining room - which would definitely be a more central location, but not as secluded.

Do you think it makes a difference for future resale potential? And if so, what do you think is best? Thanks for your feedback!

Joe and Sydney, Grand Junction

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Joe and Sydney,

Making improvements on your outdoor living space is always a smart move! For resale it is hard to beat the bang for your buck of outdoor home improvements.  Outdoor living spaces are very in vogue and there is little that lights the fire of a home buyer like a really well done outdoor living area. One thing to keep in mind is that hot tubs are a bit like pools, people either really like them or they really don’t and there generally is not much in between. If you simply add a hot tub to an existing deck or patio your financial return will likely be quite underwhelming, however creating a truly amazing outdoor space will add real money and end up being a real selling point when and if you ever decide to sell. All that being said, there are a couple of things you can do to maximize the space and the improvement.

First, concentrate on making the space not just a hot tub space. Make the effort and spend the time to create a space that provides not only a home for your hot tub, but a space that creates an atmosphere and ambiance of a true outdoor living area. Marry your hot tub with a multi-purpose area that serves as an entertaining or sitting area and see the impact soar. I am not sure it matters if you situate the hot tub off the master bedroom or off the dining area if you really create something wonderful. Both locations will have their appeal, if you go off the master you probably want something a bit more intimate and private and if you decide to locate off the dining area you want to shoot for making it conducive to entertaining. 

On another note, make sure to add the extra element of lighting to your area. Lighting is far too often overlooked as a very inexpensive item that provides high impact and is essential when trying to create a mood and ambiance. If you go the extra mile and enhance your landscaping to accentuate the new hot tub/entertaining area you will be well on your way to creating a space that many hot tub lovers and even those who are not will covet!

Dave Kimbrough

The Kimbrough Team

RE/MAX 4000, Inc. 

Is Xeriscaping A Good Idea For Re-sale?

Dave,

Our landscaping needs a complete overhaul! We were in the middle of drawing up plans to revamp our front and back yard when I ran across some ideas for xeriscaping online. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it in the first place! We would love the low maintenance aspect of it since my wife and I travel a lot. The only thing is we’re thinking of downsizing in a few years. Before we take the leap and jump all in on the idea, what’s your opinion on the style and furthermore if it will turn away buyers once we go to sell.

Love your column!

Cynthia & Bob, Grand Junction

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Cynthia and Bob,

I think it’s a great idea!  Xeriscaping is quite popular and can be very attractive, especially in our “high desert” climate that easily lends itself to that style.  The one hesitation I might have revolves around what type of home you have?  If your home/neighborhood lend itself to families with younger children then I might lean toward xeriscaping in the front yard and having some grass/yard in the back.   I totally get the low/no maintenance attraction, but people with younger kids tend to want a grass back yard for them to have a play area and gravel does not make the most inviting play area for younger kids!  If you take these things into account I do not believe you will have any issues when it comes time to sell, in fact it might be a selling point to many buyers who crave the low/no maintenance yard as peoples time only becomes more valuable as we all get stretched even more thin!   Again, great idea and enjoy your new landscaping! 

Dave Kimbrough

The Kimbrough Team

What Size Trees Should We Plant In Our Yard?

Dear Dave,

I have been out shopping at the local nurseries trying to get some ideas on landscaping materials. My home is about 7 years old and doesn’t have many established trees in the yard. There are different sizes of trees throughout the neighborhood. I want to know what you think is better to do - plant only a couple of large trees (due to the price) or plant about 3 times as many smaller trees (due to the price)?? My wife has one opinion and I have another - I won’t tell you which so you can give your honest opinion!

Thanks-

Lee and Jenni, Fruita

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Lee and Jenni,

Ok, this is an easy one for me and I will be honest!  Go with the larger trees.  Planting saplings in the yard and waiting 7 more years for them to become trees is for sure one of my pet peeves.  We are currently planting some trees at my own home and my wife and I banter this issue back and forth virtually every day the tree planting topic comes up. 

She says, in a few years they will mature out etc… and I say that I would prefer them to look somewhat mature now I don’t want to wait years to enjoy them.   I won’t tell you who will win at my house, but at your home I hope the bigger tree vote wins! In my opinion this is one instance where bigger really is better! J  Happy planting.

Dave Kimbrough

The Kimbrough Team

How Do We Spruce Up Our Winter Curb Appeal?

Dave,

We are getting ready to put our house on the market and need your advice. Our home’s landscaping and curb appeal is super cute when everything is blooming in the spring…the only problem is that it’s not spring! When you drive up to our house it’s just kind of…blah. Everything is brown and dead right now. Any tips for kicking up curb appeal in the winter? We really want to make a good first impression on buyers and could use some serious help!

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Trish

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Trish,

Wow…. You are wise to be thinking about your home's curb appeal during winter. Few people put enough emphasis on their homes curb appeal even in the summer, but to have that on your list of “to-do’s” this time of year is seriously being on the ball. Believe it or not, there are quite a few things you can do to spruce up your homes curb appeal during winter and it all starts with de-cluttering!

What do I mean by de-cluttering? You can start by trimming back over-grown bushes and trees (make sure to consult an arborist before you go to crazy on trimming thing back). Rake up and dispose of dead leaves and sticks that seem to pile up in entryways, walking paths, window wells, decks, and patios. Don’t be afraid to even cut your lawn on a day where we get some warmer (40-50 degree) temps. I know that sounds over the top, but you can have a fresh-looking lawn and a quick cut and trim will definitely spruce it up. I am always amazed at my neighbor’s yard. He will cut and trim his yard sporadically even over the winter and it always looks clean and fresh! I wish I had his dedication! Once you have it cleaned up, consider the thought of some new plants. Even in winter, they can make a serious impact with an affordable price tag!

You can bring in colorful pots or planter boxes and plant some smaller evergreen trees or shrubs (small pines, junipers, boxwoods etc) around your front door and entryway that will add color and at the same time provide added pops of green in an otherwise brown and drab western Colorado winter. In the same vein of adding color, don’t be afraid to put a fresh coat of paint on the front door and even shutters (easy to install if you don’t have them already) on some of the warmer days that we can have here in the Grand Valley. I think that people assume that you can not paint at all during winter, however, there are some paint brands (McCormick is one of them) that allow for painting when temperatures are as low as 35 degrees! This may at least give you an opportunity to add a pop of color if you choose. While you are at it, you might also consider a quick refresher on the old mailbox (that is if you don’t use a neighborhood cluster box). You might hit that with a quick paint touch up at that same time and the same color as the door. If you have a front patio or porch area you can still stage it with outdoor furniture and add a few new cushions to freshen up the winter look. Any of these ideas are low cost, moderate to high impact ideas that should be quite easy to implement. Lastly, don’t overlook the opportunity to upgrade your exterior lighting to improve the look of your home in the winter.

Keep in mind that it gets dark earlier this time of year and many buyers will be exposed to your home during dark or low light times and upgrading or adding to your lighting can make a big impact. Don’t be afraid to play with some brighter bulbs, new lights, lanterns, directional landscape and path lights to help make your home come to life. Lighting can have a dramatic impact on a homes curb appeal, especially during the winter months when the night hours are much longer. Lastly and easy upgrade is to change out your address numbers on your home. Even something that small can have an impact as there are now many different types of house numbers and even some that even light up!

I hope this gives you a few ideas of things you can do to freshen up your curb appeal during the winter! Curb appeal is one of the things that provide the highest return on investment and can deliver a huge impact. Best of luck with winter selling! Merry Christmas.

Dave Kimbrough

The Kimbrough Team