For most property owners, exterior fencing is viewed as merely a functional element—it encloses a yard, separates a property from others, and limits visibility between neighbors. However, a well-designed and properly maintained exterior fence, in addition to providing functional benefits, significantly impacts the perceived value of a property and how prospective purchasers view it prior to viewing it inside.
Aspects of the Condition, Design, Appropriate Usage, and Functionality of the Exterior Fence Impact How Buyers Perceive a Property
While the presence of a fence is a critical aspect of how a buyer perceives a property, the condition, design, suitability to the property, and whether a fence resolves issues or creates additional ones are equally significant aspects of a buyer’s perceptions regarding the property. An understanding of each of these elements enables a property owner to invest wisely in their property’s exterior fencing, regardless of whether they plan to sell in the near future or simply wish to maintain their property’s value over time.
Initial Assessments Upon Pulling Up to the Property
A buyer forms an opinion about a property within a matter of seconds after pulling into the driveway. The front fence is part of the initial visual assessment of a property. As such, a well-maintained front fence that is designed to suit the style of the residence contributes to positive first impressions. The front fence communicates to a buyer that the property was well taken care of, and the owner was detail oriented.
Poorly maintained front fences communicate a completely opposite impression. Lean posts, broken palings, rust stains, or the presence of overgrown vegetation entwined in the fence send the message that the property was not well maintained. Additionally, the buyer begins to wonder about what other parts of the property were neglected. Regardless of whether the house itself is in good repair, poorly maintained fencing may create uncertainty about other aspects of the property.
Style Compatibility Matters Too
The compatibility of the fence style installed by an expert in fencing brisbane (or elsewhere) to the type of home being sold is just as important as the condition of the fence. An ultra modern horizontal slat fence installed appears out of place and detracts from the homes architectural character. Conversely, an outdated style that is reminiscent of the 1970s when the majority of the property has been updated creates visual dissonance. The fence does not have to be expensive or elaborate; it simply needs to be suitable for the property and well maintained.
Appeal to Specific Buyer Groups
Properties with well-perimeter fenced properties appeal to certain demographic groups of buyers based upon their desire for security and/or privacy. Family oriented buyers who have young children see the confined outdoor space as a major benefit. Buyers who own dogs seek out properties that have existing fencing to contain their animals. Individuals who value the privacy of their backyard are willing to pay more for homes that provide that level of separation from neighbors and street traffic.
Working with experienced service providers is beneficial during this process. Providers who offer services that allow homeowners to choose fencing that will attract desired types of buyers and assist property owners in making the best decision for their home’s marketability.
Private Outdoor Space and Security Perception
The perception of security extends beyond containing pets. Well-maintained fencing that surrounds the backyard provides a buyer with a sense of private outdoor space that is separated from the street and pedestrian views. This creates a feeling that the outdoor space is an extension of the living space, rather than an unsecured yard. Generally, properties that provide this private outdoor experience will receive higher sales prices than comparable properties without the same type of fencing.
When Fencing Creates Problems
Not all fencing enhances property value. Certain types of fencing can negatively affect a property’s saleability and value. Boundary disputes are the most significant problem that can arise. If the fence is constructed in the incorrect location relative to the property line, it can create a legal problem that must be disclosed to prospective buyers. This can either kill a deal altogether or force the sellers to discount the sale price to compensate for the cost and inconvenience of resolving the boundary dispute.
Non-compliance with local pool fencing requirements is another deal killer. Homes with pools must have fencing that complies with current regulations. If the pool fence does not comply with local regulations, prospective buyers will either reject the property or demand that the seller bring the pool fencing into compliance before closing on the property. The cost to bring the pool fencing into compliance can exceed $5,000 and directly affect the sale price of the property.
Fortress-type fencing can also create problems for property owners. While some degree of security can be an advantage, extremely tall or fortress-type fencing can be detrimental to a property’s value. Buyers do not want a property that feels like a maximum-security compound or a fortress. Buyers begin to question the reasons behind the extreme measures and may view the property as oppressive rather than secure. There is a fine line between providing sufficient security and building a fortress, and crossing that line will be detrimental to the value of the property.
Age vs. Condition
An older fence that is well maintained is preferred to a new fence that is poorly maintained. Age is less important than condition and function. A 15 year old timber fence that has been properly maintained—re-painted as needed, damaged sections repaired, posts straightened—is still a contributing factor to a property’s appeal. A 5 year old fence that has been neglected and shows signs of rot, lean or damage is a liability.
Property owners frequently believe that an old fence must be replaced in order to sell their property. That is not always the case. If the fence is structurally sound and appears well maintained, buyers will generally accept it. A fresh coat of paint or stain can give a fence that is aged a new appearance. Repairing leaning posts and repairing damaged sections of the fence can address the most apparent problems without requiring the entire fence to be replaced.
However, when a fence reaches the end of its useful life, it must be replaced before the property can be listed for sale. Buyers will not purchase a property at fair market value knowing they will immediately have to spend $5,000-$10,000 to replace the fence.
Choices of Materials and Maintenance Perception
Different materials used for fencing convey different messages and create different maintenance expectations. Timbers used for fencing appear well when newly applied and well-maintained but require continued attention (i.e., painting, staining, repair) and buyers understand this and take it into consideration when assessing the ongoing costs associated with owning a property.
Colorbond and powder-coated steel fencing is attractive to buyers who prefer low-maintenance options. These products last longer with fewer applications of maintenance, which is an attraction to busy professionals and buyers who do not wish to engage in frequent maintenance activities related to the fence. Although the initial appearance of Colorbond and powder-coated steel fencing may not have the charm of timbers, the advantages of durability and low maintenance may outweigh the aesthetics of timbers for many buyers.
Vinyl and composite fencing materials also offer low-maintenance options. High-quality materials are crucial in this regard, however—low-quality vinyl that shows signs of fading or brittleness indicates a low-quality decision made by the previous owner(s), which raises concerns about other cost-cutting measures that may have been taken by the previous owner(s).
Wire and chain mesh fencing are used primarily for functional purposes, although they may provide some appeal to buyers who have specific needs (e.g., to confine large dogs, protect large properties that cannot afford the expense of other types of fencing). However, in most residential settings, solid or semi-solid fencing styles are more likely to contribute to property appeal and value.
Appropriateness to Neighborhood
Choices of fencing must align with the general neighborhood fencing style. In neighborhoods where most residents have little to no front fencing, installing a solid front fence across the front of a property makes the property stand out—but not in a favorable manner. The property appears defensive or anti-social compared to the surrounding neighborhood. Conversely, in established neighborhoods where substantial fencing is common, properties with little to no fencing will appear unfinished or less secure than the surrounding properties.
This is not to say that every fence must resemble the neighbor’s fence, but rather, it is essential to be aware of the general approach to fencing in your neighborhood and avoid constructing a fence that is drastically different from the surrounding neighborhood standards. Significant deviations from the neighborhood standards may cause a property
ROI – Return On Investment
A full fence replacement (as a pre-sale upgrade) usually does not return its entire cost in a higher selling price. If the existing fence is working okay and is an attractive fence, you may get some value out of upgrading to a nicer fence, however, it is unlikely you will get enough value back to justify the expense of a complete new fence. Your best option is to identify and repair any damage, paint any section that needs painting, replace any damaged sections at a fraction of the cost of a complete new fence to achieve the majority of your appeal enhancement.
In addition to being very costly to install, a full replacement of the existing fence is usually necessary for fences that are structurally unsound, do not comply with local regulations, or create a negative impression of the property that harms the overall curb appeal of the property. In this case, a new fence does not necessarily increase the value of the property, but rather, it prevents the buyer from losing money due to the problem fence.
The greatest ROI occurs when you install proper fencing on a property that has no fencing installed on it, and the buyer is expecting fencing. Installing a quality boundary fence on a property in a family oriented community where the buyer is going to expect a quality fence anyway will provide a great ROI, since you are providing a solution that the buyer was going to have to provide themselves.
Right Fencing = Right ROI
To obtain a positive impact on property value through fencing, consider the fencing as part of the overall property presentation, versus as a separate feature. The fence should complement the home, match the neighborhood, be in good condition, and meet the typical needs of the buyers in that area. You do not have to spend a lot of money, nor do you have to build a elaborate fence, just make sure the fence is suitable for the area, and properly maintained. When you take care of the basic elements of fencing, you can be confident that the fence will contribute positively to the property’s appeal and value, instead of negatively affecting it.
