Why Your Fence Could Be Lowering the Value of Your Home

The fence in the rear of our West Hartford property wasn’t very impressive when we bought it, but it did the job. That’s what we told ourselves for the first several years, at least.

We didn’t really look at it closely until we thought about selling our house. Boards were bending, and the paint had faded into a spotty gray, and the timber was deformed in other spots. We thought it wasn’t a huge deal. A fence is a fence, right?

Nope.

You Should Pay More Attention to First Impressions

We had a local real estate agent come by to look at the property, and the first thing she said wasn’t about the kitchen we just restored or the gorgeous maple tree in the front yard; it was about the fence.

“This could be a red flag for buyers,” she said.

That hurt. But that was the wake-up call we needed. That fence didn’t simply appear tired. It was damaging how our house looked from the street, and maybe even its resale value.

How a Fence Can Work Against You: 

We always believed fences were a good thing. They make a yard seem finished, provide it with seclusion, and keep it safe. But as we saw, an old or poorly kept fence can do the reverse and we knew we needed to find a reputable fence company in West Hartford.

Here are some ways that your fence can be reducing the value of your home:

It looks like it hasn’t been taken care of. A fence that is leaning, broken, or worn down sends a message: this house hasn’t been taken care of. Buyers will notice, even if everything else is perfect.

It’s not the right style. A chain-link fence in a neighborhood with a lot of wood or vinyl panels might make your property look bad. Style is important, especially in West Hartford, where communities have their own unique flavor and charm.

It’s a maintenance hassle. If your fence appears like it needs fixing or replacing, buyers might include that cost in their offer or not even bother making an offer at all.

It breaks up the flow. A fence that isn’t in the right place might make a yard feel small or odd. Buyers desire outside space that is open, useful, and welcoming.

What We Did Next

We started looking into our choices when our real estate agent told us the hard reality. We didn’t want to just put new paint on a building that was already falling down. We needed a real improvement, something that would really make things better.

That’s when we called Cox Fence, a well-known West Hartford fence company. They came out, looked at what we already had, and helped us come up with a fence design that fit with our home, our aspirations, and the feel of the area.

They showed us how several materials and styles could go with the design of our home, make our yard feel bigger, and provide future buyers with what they want: seclusion, safety, and something nice to look at.

A Fence Can Raise Your Home’s Value—If Done Right 

Here’s the thing: a new fence can definitely help sell your home if it’s done right. Real estate salespeople often suggest that purchasers like properties that are ready to move into and feel “complete.” A good fence may make a big difference.

A well-built fence can do several things:

• Make your yard look better by framing it like a picture.
• Give your family and pets an overall sense of peace of mind and safety.
• Set the boundaries of your space while merging with the rest of the world.
• Show potential buyers that you take pride in your property.

It’s Not Just About How It Looks—It’s About Money

We thought of upgrading our fence the same way we thought of remodeling our bathroom or installing insulation: it was an investment in the value of our property. And it worked.

Our new fence not only made our yard seem cleaner and more polished, but it also made it feel more friendly and usable. When we put the house up for sale, everybody who came to see it said nice things about it.

We never thought a fence would be the most important thing. But in today’s economy, when first impressions are more important than ever, it was.

Don’t let your fence be the weak spot.

You might want to look at your fence again if it seems old or doesn’t fit your home anymore. If you’re contemplating selling or staying put, it’s worth asking:

Does your fence show how much your property is worth?

Is it making your curb appeal better or worse?

Would you feel safe buying a house with that fence?

If not, you don’t have to do it alone. Cox Fence has been helping homeowners in West Hartford choose beautiful, long-lasting fences that will last for years.

Your fence should add to the story of your home, not take it away. Call Cox Fence to find out what they can do for your place.