Do Stone Walls and Wood Fences Add Value to Your Greenwich Home?

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Fences and stone walls are distinctive and enduring elements in New England. Whether they are traditional stone walls or split-rail wood fences, visitors and residents alike are charmed by these borders. But have you ever wondered…do fences and walls add value to your Greenwich CT home?

Here’s what I know from my years as a real estate professional:

Stone Walls

What’s more New England than an old-stone wall? Or a new stone wall that looks like a 250-year old stone wall? These stone borders add personality and historic charm to vintage homes and help newer homes to fit into the landscape.

Does this type of fence add value to your home? The answer is yes, it can. If the wall is at the front of your home, it should be well-maintained to increase the overall value of the property. Crumbling stone walls in the depths of a property aren’t detrimental for the right buyer – someone who is looking for a traditional experience. If you want to add a stone wall to your property before sale, you’ll likely make back the cost or experience a slight bump from it. According to this infographic, you’ll experience a 100% return on your investment.

Old-Style Wood Fences

Classic wood fences add to the overall “brand” of your home, for example: a rambling old farmhouse with split-rail fencing; a cottage with a white picket fence; a rustic cabin with an Adirondack-style fence.

On the positive side, wood fences are durable and blend with the natural elements surrounding them. A well-maintained wood fence with wonderful landscaping can be a beautiful asset. On the negative side, aging fences with missing rails or insect-infestation damage are going to make potential buyers think twice. Just like outdated bathrooms and kitchens, buyers think about all they need to do to make the home current. If you’re selling your home and don’t already have a wood fence on your property, don’t add one: it won’t add much value compared to material and construction costs.

Today most full-time and seasonal Greenwich homeowners know that well-maintained fences – whether stone, wood or other material – make good neighbors and happy future home owners. The key term is “well maintained.”