Get Real: A deck may make the difference

Posted by Beth Alois on June 6, 2013

Summer is almost here and the exterior of a home becomes even more important when putting your house on the market. This time of year buyers will spend more time outside looking at your property and envisioning what their summer barbecues and family playtime will look like.

The addition of any amount of usable real estate to a property increases value. Customized decks and personalized outdoor living areas are a hot trend in home improvement upgrades. A great-looking deck in the photos on your home’s Internet website may entice more people to ask for an appointment.

Building or updating an existing deck isn’t simply a great investment; it also provides opportunities to personalize your backyard and customize the look to your taste. And with many families staying home during the summer to save money, why not think about creating the perfect location for entertaining?

Deck experts agree that multi-level decks are the most popular now. These are a series of decks connected by stairways or walkways, which are aesthetically pleasing and can be used for different purposes. One level can be used to catch the sun, one level can be positioned for shade and another can be set close to the house for entertaining and grilling.

Wood decks have always been the most popular, but caring for them is tough. They will rot over time, are subject to insect infestation and require a great deal of maintenance to keep the wood from fading. Accordingly, people are embracing composite materials for their decks. These cost significantly more but will last longer and require less maintenance.

For those homes that already have a deck, it’s important to make sure that it’s still in good shape and adds to the attractiveness of a property. You can change your deck’s appearance with interesting balusters to match other decorative accents on your house or yard and other unique touches to make the deck a personal haven. Meanwhile, railings offer a good opportunity to pull in color and ornamental detail that complements the house.

By designing your deck with accents, lights and unique accessories, you can transform your backyard into an outdoor retreat one will never want to leave. Buyers can imagine catching up with friends over a grilled dinner in the evening or curling with a book in a lounge chair on a sunny afternoon.

Talk with your local realtor to discuss how changing your deck or adding a new one will impact the value of your home. Your realtor can also give you a list of contractors to consult with about options and costs.

* Beth Alois and Jim DeFrank can be reached at 610-388-3700. Prudential Fox and Roach, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated broker member of BRER Affiliates LLC. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are registered service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential.