As we have documented in many articles on this site before, the pandemic has brought upon several new trends in real estate. Perhaps the most popular trend has been the desire for more space in the home. With this said, another area that has gained in demand is outdoor living. With more Americans making efforts to socially distance themselves outdoors, items such as backyards, outdoor kitchens, and other outdoor entertaining areas of the home have gained in popularity. As a matter of fact, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) reports a 65% uptick in membership interest for outdoor living projects this year.
The most desired outdoor features
As a whole, the pandemic has pushed many homeowners to upgrade their living spaces to become more comfortable and versatile. This is certainly the case when it comes to outdoor spaces. A recent survey of home design professionals and home builders found the following most common outdoor trends:
- Year-round gathering spots: An overhaul of outdoor seating and spacious layouts ranked high on the list. Fireplaces and firepits were common for many states. Of course, in South Florida features such as tiki huts have been highly sought after upgrades.
- Privacy: As more Americans use their backyards for items such as meditation, exercise, rest and recuperation, privacy has become even more important.
- Backyard cottages: Also known as “granny flats” or accessory dwelling units, backyard cottages have increased in popularity. In particular, these dwellings are being used to house elderly family members who may have returned from an assisted living facility or adult children in need of a temporary home. Other homeowners are opting to use these cottages as rental housing for additional income or as a home-based office or gym.
- Outdoor connectivity: An interesting observation has been the increased popularity of these outdoor spaces having connectivity. With more Americans working remotely, many expressed their desire to work outside. Of course, who wouldn’t want to set up their office in their tiki hut out back?
Summary
As with many of these recent housing trends, it is important for homeowners to take note. Whether you are considering listing your property for sale or not, it is always good to stay up-to-date on the latest desirable features. In the event that you decide to list your home for sale, many of these outdoor features can be updated to maximize the return on your investment. After all, when marketing your property for sale you always want to make it desirable to as many prospective buyers as possible.
Are you thinking about selling your home? We can help. Contact Live South Florida Realty, Inc. today for a free consultation on how to get top dollar for your property.
