November 2, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 23 (ARA) In a perfect world, no one would ever have to face the challenge of trying to sell a house when there is snow on the ground and the trees are bare. In reality, people have to sell and buy homes throughout the year. While winter may not be the optimum season to showcase your landscaping, there is one improvement you can make that will help you boost your home’s outdoor appeal no matter what the season: a deck. When potential buyers visit your home in winter, they might not be able to envision how green and lovely your backyard will look come spring. But they will be able to see with their own eyes the square footage that a deck adds to the home’s living space. Decks, patios, sunrooms, and porches have always been popular with home buyers, but real estate agents say that too often those spaces are neglected or not used to their best advantage. Yet outdoor improvements like a deck can significantly enhance your home’s value and appeal. In fact, at the time of resale, a deck will recoup, on average, about 73 percent of the original cost of building it, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report. “Anything that adds living space adds value, and the least expensive way to gain space is to build a deck or turn the one Selling out of season? A great deck makes a difference you have into an outdoor room by staging it so that it flows seamlessly with the rest of the house,” said Mary Beth Harrison of The Harrison Group, a Dallas-based real estate agency. “A great deck can set your home apart from others with the same interior floor plan or square footage, and deck additions typically add value when it comes time to sell.” The cooler temperatures of fall and early winter make the season a great time to add a deck to your home. If you already have a deck, you can enhance its appeal by adding simple touches and accessories. A bonus space -- for example, a tiny deck or rarely-used balcony off a master bedroom -- can be transformed into a romantic getaway by staging it with cozy, cushioned seating and a raised firepit. You can safeguard your deck and add designer style with a product such as Latitudes deck stones, 16-inch interlocking square tiles made of natural slate or granite. Deck stones can provide an effective fire barrier that is an asset under firepits or grills, or when used to create an outdoor kitchen. Lighting is another way to boost appeal. LED deck lighting kits, like those offered by Deckorators, are both practical and visually appealing. Adding lighting to a deck can be an important safety feature, and helps create a warm, welcoming mood for evening entertaining. Another improvement that speaks to both safety and visual appeal are deck railings. Decorative railings with ornate balusters, post cap, and post covers can give virtually any wood or composite lumber deck a distinctive look for a modest investment. “More than ever before, people look at their decks as outdoor entertainment areas,” noted Chris Fox of Universal Forest Products, producers of Latitudes composite decking and railing and Deckorators, a leader in deck railing systems and acces- sories. “For some, it’s a kitchen; for others, a living room. Decks can be party spaces or quiet retreats. With so many different types of deck materials, lighting, rail systems and decorative accents, it’s possible to turn a plain deck into a great outdoor space.” “Potential home buyers always react positively to nice decks that look like a great place to hang out,” Harrison added. “From a buyer’s perspective, if all else is equal, it’s true that the home with the best deck wins.”