One question that customers frequently ask us is whether adding outdoor lighting to their house will increase its value and reduce their house’s time on the market. After doing some research, it is clear that outdoor lighting does add value to your home, especially when it is coupled with well-done landscaping.
Judith Patriski, an appraiser and owner of Quad Realty Company. near Cleveland, Ohio strongly believes that good lighting adds value to homes. In an article by the National Association of Realtors, she estimates that for upper-bracket homes investing in outdoor lighting can yield a 50% return. Much of this return stems from the significant curb appeal that outdoor lighting gives your home. Guests and prospective buyers may see your house for the first time after dark, and a well-lit house offers a warm and inviting welcome. Patriski writes, “When you pull into a driveway and see a gorgeous home, you’re going to pay more for it.”
A strong majority of home buyers say that they specifically look for outdoor lighting in a prospective house. In the National Association of Home Builders’ annual survey “What Home Buyers Really Want”, 41% of people rated outdoor lighting as “essential” and 49% rated it as “desirable.” Altogether, 90% of survey respondents believed that outdoor lighting was important. The National Association of Realtors agrees and praises the many tangible benefits of outdoor lighting, including that it protects against slips and falls, accentuates the good features of your house, and welcomes guests by highlighting the front door. Prospective buyers value these benefits and actively seek out houses with outdoor lighting.
Outdoor landscape lighting works best hand-in-hand with excellent landscaping. Good landscaping can add as much as 28% to the value of your home as well as reducing the time that your house spends on the market by 10-15%. However, landscaping must be seen in order to increase your house’s value, and prospective buyers may see your house for the first time at night. Luminocity has many years of experience installing outdoor lighting that highlights key features of your yard, including trees, bushes, fountains, and pathways. A well-illuminated yard allows prospective buyers to appreciate your landscaping even when they view your house at night, adding to its curb appeal and ensuring that they return later for a second look.
Outdoor lighting also highlights the best architectural features of your house. It can illuminate your front porch with a soft glow or highlight the stately columns of your grand entrance. In addition to adding to your house’s nighttime beauty, outdoor lighting can simultaneously make your property a more difficult target for intruders. Outdoor lighting eliminates areas of deep shadow in your yard, reducing the likelihood that your house will be invaded. Some insurance companies give 5%-15% discounts to homeowners who have reduced or zero claims, further adding to the value of your outdoor lighting.
Whether you are entertaining dinnertime guests or showing your home to prospective buyers, a well-lit home offers an inviting and warm welcome. It increases a home’s curb appeal and highlights your home’s special features, ensuring that other people appreciate your home just as much as you do. If you are interested in increasing the value of your home and increasing its attractiveness to guests and prospective purchasers, contact us today for a free estimate.
