Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Outdoor Decks are a Worthwhile Investment

Regardless of market conditions, a nice outdoor deck is a feature any homebuyer can appreciate.
According to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS), the size of the average deck on an upscale home has doubled to about 700 square feet in the past 10 years.
Most decks (90 percent) are added as a remodeling project, particularly by families with young children. Parents like the idea that children can be outdoors, yet contained in a safe place.
The JCHS survey also determined that the cost of the average deck project was approximately $10,347. Although a large investment, the improvement tends to pay off well at resale. According to the 2007 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling magazine, a wood deck addition yielded an 85.4 percent return when the home was sold, one of the highest cost recovery rates.
Aside from serving as an inviting haven for relaxation and entertainment, decks can improve the aesthetic appearance of the home and increase its potential resale value.

Smitha Ramchandani is a licensed real estate professional at Weichert Realtors' Morristown West, New Jersey office. She is a Certified Buyer Specialist, a Home Marketing Expert and also an expert in buying and selling of townhouses and condominiums. You can reach Smitha at: 973-252-8245 (Res.) or online at: http://www.Morris-Homes.com or http://www.TheTownhouseExpert.com or http://www.TheTownhomeExpert.com