If you’re thinking about investing in your Santa Barbara home, chances are you’re also thinking about what parts of the house need sprucing up.

We already know that a few home improvement dollars can go a long way toward increasing your selling price. But where should you spend? For Santa Barbara homeowners, there’s more than conventional wisdom to consider.

For example, should you add a new pool or create an outdoor kitchen? Remodel bathrooms or add new cabinets? Upgrade plumbing or put in hardwood floors?

A new pool would be a top draw for buyers and really increase the value of your home if you were selling it in say, Austin or Phoenix – where lot sizes are bigger and it’s hot and dry for much of the year.

Here in Santa Barbara, with gorgeous beaches only a five to ten minute drive from just about anywhere and much smaller lot sizes, pools aren’t going to move the needle in the same way. Our state’s ongoing drought means that maintaining a pool comes at a higher cost, making it less attractive as a selling point.

So it’s important to consider what matters most to local buyers before making investment decisions. In my first in a series on home improvements for sellers, we’ll explore how to make the most of an outdoor living space to attract the quintessential Santa Barbara buyer.

Outdoor Living

It’s no secret our seaside town has one of the most desirable climates in the country (some say the world). Often called “Mediterranean,” the sun shines most every day and we’re blessed with warm and comfortable temperatures that make outdoor living a centerpiece of local culture.

So what does outdoor living mean to Santa Barbarans? A barbecue on the patio? A fire pit? Some furniture?

Sort of. There’s more to it, actually.

Outdoor living means there’s a flow between being outside and being inside. Doors are often left open all day, connecting the outdoor areas to the main house in a way that makes the space feel more like a family room than a mere patio.

Investments here can be affordable compared with other home improvement options. Here are a few ways you can help prospective buyers feel their new home reflects the local lifestyle.

#1: Access

One idea is to open the doorway or create a new threshold for an inviting and accessible atmosphere. The mediterranean style so popular in Santa Barbara is known for open design and living “outside.”

#2: Add Privacy

Since we spend so much time outdoors, giving the space a private atmosphere can also payoff. Consider landscaping improvements that create natural barriers so you can enjoy the outdoors without feeling as though the world is watching.

 

#3: Make It Cozy

It’s tempting to think that an outdoor space should look like one. Water resistant, heat resistant, and easy to clean patio furniture is a functional choice that makes perfect sense for many communities.

Here in Santa Barbara we view the outdoor area more like an extra family room than a backyard or place to set up and break down when the seasons change. Making the space look and feel like a cozy room can help buyers visualize their own outdoor lifestyle. Consider adding pillows, throws, and colorful containers to add a sense of warmth and relaxation to a patio area.

 

#4: Add A Fireplace

Outdoor fireplaces are quite popular – we’re coastal and temperatures dip once the sun goes down. A warm place to cozy up to means enjoying the space well into the evening. Be careful to consider how dry the surrounding vegetation is. Our drought has made lighting fires outside more dangerous than usual so make sure to create a safe environment if you decide to invest here.

 

Decisions

If your budget is limited, sprucing up an outdoor area can be an affordable way to enhance the appeal of your home without embarking on major remodeling or expensive repair projects.

In the weeks ahead, we’ll look at what matters to most in a Santa Barbara kitchen, how the drought has shifted buyers priorities, and what “curb appeal” means to local buyers.

Interested in learning how to maximize the value of your home by making improvements? I’d be happy to help! Schedule a free phone consultation below.

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