A study by realestate.com suggests that landscaping and hardscaping—adding walkways, patios, walls, and other man-made structures to your property—can deliver a whopping return on investment as high as 150 percent, an ROI that puts it ahead of popular home improvement projects like kitchen or bathroom updates. By comparison, a basement remodel has a ROI of 77 percent, attic bedroom, 84 percent, and minor kitchen remodel, 83 percent.
According to the study, for every dollar spent on upgrading a backyard or outdoor space, a homeowner can expect to get back anywhere from 60 cents to two dollars. With up to 14 percent added to the home's resale value—on a $500,000 home, that's nearly $75,000.
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"Most homeowners don't embark on a yard project looking ahead to the day they will eventually sell their home," says J.C. Henry, CEO of EP Henry, a manufacturer of architectural concrete masonry products. "But it's nice to know that the day-to-day enjoyment of a beautifully designed yard can be capped by an impressive ROI when it comes time to sell."