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Why a Nice Backyard Is Crucial for Resale in California

How To Sell Real Estate

Why a Nice Backyard Is Crucial for Resale in California

In California, outdoor living is a way of life. The state's mild climate allows residents to enjoy their yards year-round, making a beautiful backyard a significant selling point for homes. Here’s why investing in your backyard can pay off big when it comes time to sell.

1. Extends Living Space

A well-designed backyard effectively increases the usable living space of a home. Buyers in California often look for outdoor areas where they can entertain, relax, and spend time with family. Features like patios, decks, and outdoor kitchens can make a backyard feel like an extension of the home’s interior.

2. Boosts Property Value

A nice backyard can significantly boost your property’s value. In a competitive real estate market, homes with attractive outdoor spaces tend to command higher prices. Simple additions like a well-maintained lawn, garden beds, and comfortable seating areas can make your property more appealing and valuable.

3. Enhances Aesthetic Appeal

First impressions matter, and the backyard is no exception. A well-kept backyard can make a home look more inviting and well-cared-for. Buyers are likely to be drawn to properties with lush landscaping, beautiful flowers, and functional outdoor spaces.

4. Provides Privacy and Tranquility

In bustling California cities, a private, tranquil backyard is a sought-after feature. Buyers appreciate having a space where they can escape the noise and hustle of everyday life. Adding elements like fences, tall plants, or water features can create a serene retreat that appeals to potential buyers.

5. Supports Sustainable Living

California buyers are often environmentally conscious and value sustainable living. Features like drought-tolerant landscaping, native plants, and efficient irrigation systems can make a backyard more appealing. These eco-friendly elements not only save water but also reduce maintenance costs, making the property more attractive to buyers.

6. Increases Functionality

Functional outdoor spaces are highly desirable. Buyers look for backyards that can serve multiple purposes, such as areas for dining, play, and gardening. Incorporating versatile spaces that cater to different activities can make your home more attractive to a wide range of buyers.

Tips for Improving Your Backyard

Improving your backyard doesn’t have to be costly. Here are some budget-friendly tips to enhance your outdoor space:

  • Landscaping: Plant drought-resistant plants and maintain a green lawn.
  • Seating Areas: Add comfortable seating with shade options like pergolas or umbrellas.
  • Lighting: Install outdoor lighting to highlight key features and provide safety.
  • Garden Beds: Create garden beds with colorful flowers or vegetables.
  • Privacy Features: Use fences, hedges, or screens to add privacy.

Conclusion

A nice backyard is a valuable asset for resale in California. It extends living space, boosts property value, enhances aesthetic appeal, provides privacy, supports sustainable living, and increases functionality. Investing in your backyard can make your home more attractive to buyers and help you achieve a higher resale price. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just want to enjoy your outdoor space, improving your backyard is a smart move.

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Complaints prompt Carlsbad to remove traffic circles City will install all-way stop signs instead of roundabouts at two Kelly Drive intersections A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) A vehicle maneuvers through the traffic circle at Park Drive and Kelly Drive in this view looking north up Kelly Drive. Above left is Laguna Riviera City Park, behind it is Kelly Elementary School. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) By PHIL DIEHL | [email protected] | The San Diego Union-Tribune UPDATED: June 20, 2025 at 6:15 AM PDT Carlsbad’s City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to remove two traffic circles, or small roundabouts, that residents said were “a failed experiment” installed in 2013 as a pilot project. Homeowners near the traffic circles at two intersections on Kelly Drive said the traffic circles encourage speeding and create a safety hazard for children walking to the nearby Kelly Elementary School. “It is a mess, truly a mess,” said Sheila O’Neill, who volunteers as a crossing guard at the school. “The roundabout nudges cars closer to the crosswalk and kids crossing the street … all-way stops would be great. It would make next year so much better.” Traffic circles are different from roundabouts, although the terms often are used interchangeably. Traffic circles require less space and generally are placed in residential areas. Roundabouts are larger, sometimes with landscaping, usually have pedestrian crosswalks set back from the intersection, and are installed on busier streets and thoroughfares. Carlsbad approved the interim traffic circles for two intersections on Kelly Drive — at each side of Kelly Elementary School — one at Park Drive and the other at Hillside Drive. Each one is essentially a circle of small ceramic bumps or domes on the asphalt at the center of the intersection for vehicles to drive around. The bumps are small enough that cars can drive over without damage. “This was a well-intentioned experiment, but it’s time to acknowledge its failure,” said Steve Linke, a resident and former member of the city’s Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission. Council members agreed with the speakers. One of the options presented to the council was to proceed with a final design, environmental studies and permits for roundabouts to replace the Kelly Drive traffic circles. Instead, the council voted to remove the traffic circles, resurface the roadway with a slurry seal, and install all-way stop signs. Also, the council directed city staffers to consider the costs and benefits of other possible improvements such as bike lanes, crosswalks and curb ramps, and bring that information back at a future meeting. “It’s a good opportunity to step back, catch our breath and listen to what our residents are saying,” said Councilmember Keven Shin. “I feel like an all-way stop would create a lot of safety for the kids.” Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, shown at right, where underground pipeline work continue in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman / For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Teenagers on e-bikes ride south on Kelly Drive approaching the traffic circle at Hillside Drive, at right, where underground pipeline work is underway in the middle of the circle. At right is the east end of Hillside Drive. (Charlie Neuman/For The San Diego Union-Tribune) Earlier this year, the City Council hit the brakes on the long-planned installation of a roundabout to replace the traffic signals at the beachfront intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Carlsbad Boulevard. That project also faced widespread community opposition. And the council has said that sometime soon it will reconsider a still unbuilt roundabout that it approved in 2023 for the intersection of Cannon Road and Carlsbad Boulevard. Roundabouts and traffic circles are elements of a “complete streets” program that Carlsbad has been working on for several years. The program’s goal is to prioritize safety for everyone on the roads, whether they are driving, walking or biking. In March the City Council approved five traffic circles to be installed at intersections in the older downtown Barrio neighborhood starting in 2026. Barrio residents generally supported the installations because they are expected to help control traffic and reduce speeding. The city obtained about $4 million in federal funding for the Barrio traffic circles. Originally Published: June 19, 2025 at 7:50 AM PDT

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