Expert Advice: Investing in Outdoor Living
November 8th, 2013 | by ml
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Homebuyers today want outdoor living spaces that blend great design, comfort and functionality. Experts from Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty offer advice on choosing outdoor amenities that will add value to a home.
Lucinda Buford
Your outdoor room is really ‘undiscovered’ square footage in your home, and comfort and relaxation is the key. The outdoor space should be covered, to keep out the glare and heat of the sun during the day. Include a fan, to cool things down even more. Install a system to keep mosquitoes and other pests away. Add a water feature for pure relaxation, and a television for hanging out and watching a movie or a ball game.
Susan Baldwin
In the Texas heat, you need a beautiful pool. But what buyers are really looking for is a pool area that serves as a seamless extension of the indoor living area. When you design and stage your rooms – both indoors and out – keep that in mind. And consider adding a fountain, because the sound of water creates tranquility. People want more than entertainment value out of an outdoor room; they’re looking for a retreat.
Claire Dewar
Having a terrace that’s covered to allow for comfortable, living room-style furniture is highly desirable, so the terrace in effect becomes an additional living space. A lot of my clients also are asking for more green space. They don’t want the entire back yard to have patios and decking – they want to see trees, flowers and lush, green plantings. They want to feel like their outdoor living space is immersed in nature.
Christy Berry
It has really gone beyond the outdoor living room, with the pool area, built-in grill and outdoor fireplace. Buyers are looking for a jumbo television screen by the pool, misters for keeping cool on hot days, and even devices to cool the pool water when it warms up too much. They want sports practice areas for their kids and play yards for their dogs, both complete with turf that doesn’t ever need to be mowed. They want to expand the usefulness of the entire yard for outdoor living.
Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty is Dallas’ luxury real estate leader, with more than 200 agents in five offices located throughout Dallas-Fort Worth and access to the global Sotheby’s network, including more than 11,000 agents in more than 650 offices worldwide. CEO Robbie Briggs independently owns and operates Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty. For more information on escapes and second homes, ranch and land, and luxury homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and beyond, go to briggsfreeman.com.
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