How To Boost The Value Of Your Rural Property

There’s an abundance of factors that influence the resale value of properties in Australia, and these factors can differ between metropolitan and regional property markets. Things like proximity to towns and facilities, soil and land quality, zoning regulations and land covenants, among other factors, add to the complex formula of rural property value here in Australia. Many of these are outside the control of the property owner, focusing your efforts on simple improvements is a great way to spend your resources.

If you’re wondering how to increase the value of rural property without investing money in renovations, some simple and affordable strategies can go a long way. The trick to increasing the value of your rural property is to lean into its strengths. For some properties, that will be the size of the land, and for others it could be the fusion of nature on the property with the house, creating a natural paradise.

The below strategies to boost your property value apply specifically to regional homeowners looking to maximise their acres. Here are our top tried and tested techniques for improving your rural homestead on a budget.

• Invest in suitable property fencing for privacy
• Create a low-maintenance Aussie oasis in your garden
• Freshen up exterior walls and cladding with a coat of paint
• Bring the outside in with organic elements
• Don’t forget about your perimeter fencing

1. Invest in suitable property fencing for privacy

Fencing serves many purposes, in the city and rural areas. They offer privacy, security, protection from weather conditions, segregation from wild animals and enclosures for farms and animals. What’s often neglected for rural properties though is the safety and seclusion full-length fencing affords homes – even if your farmhouse happens to be hundreds of metres away from your land’s actual perimeters and perimeter fencing.

If you have a large area of land, installing Colorbond fencing around your house can help keep your wider land plot sectioned off for various needs, improve your home security, and also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home in contrast to the wide open green spaces or forested areas that also fall within your land plot.

And if you live on a small rural property, installing Colorbond fencing around the whole property can give you all of these benefits as well as to outline the perimeter of your property.

There are many reasons that Colorbond fencing is an ideal choice. It’s made to stand the trials of the Aussie outback. It's also a cost-effective, durable and practical fence that adds to the aesthetic value of your property. They come in different styles and colours, so you can find the perfect fit for your natural oasis. For buyers looking for a rural property, fencing like this offers them privacy, security and protection. And for rural property owners who are looking for ideal fencing for wind protection, you’ll find the height and solidity of Colorbond fence panels to be an ideal natural barrier that protects your garden and home from harsh, damaging winds.

If you have a pool, you’ll need to make sure its fence is up to standard before you sell. Choosing to update your pool landscaping or replace your pool fence with a high-end design can make a huge impact on the aesthetics of your garden and property and appeal to more buyers for a low-cost investment. We recommend our Designer Pole pool fencing for a compliant and visually pleasing solution.

2. Create a low-maintenance Aussie oasis in your garden

Incorporating a wonderful garden into a rural property makes a similar impact to an internal renovation, and costs a fraction of the price. Thankfully, here in Australia we have no shortage of access to low-maintenance garden plants, which is why more homeowners are swapping out their water-hungry rose bushes for more sustainable and low-maintenance native Australian gardens.

You can work with a local landscaper if you want to get really serious about it; otherwise, it’s easy enough to plant some heavy-duty plants that beef up your garden. A good landscaping design principle is to include a mix of different-sized plants. Using Hampton style planter boxes will add texture and style throughout your garden with smaller plants scattered among larger plants and trees.

Focus on how you can create an outdoor sanctuary that is protected from the elements. Paving an area that is free from sand and weeds, and adding grass and native plants can quickly transform your outdoor space into a luxury Australian oasis, which is the reason many buyers seek out rural properties. You can do much of this work yourself too, and you get to try your hand at some landscape design and gardening. The payoff for your property value will far outweigh the cost.

3. Freshen up exterior walls and cladding with a coat of paint

Painting the exterior walls of your sheds, house and fences is a cost-effective way to bring vibrancy and visual appeal to your overall property. It offers an excellent return on investment. And let’s face it, it’s probably necessary after facing the brute force of the Australian sun day in and day out.

For rural properties, you’ll ideally want your home’s exteriors to be hardy and durable – especially if you’re living in an arid region where you can expect colour fading. Here, we recommend sticking to the original colours, something light that won’t fade fast, or if you’re feeling confident, you can try a more bold colour, like a light green or red to add some character.

Again, if you have any experience in painting, you can repaint your property yourself. However, if you have doubts about your capabilities, it’s always best to call in a professional, especially if your property is about to enter the market.

4. Bring the outside in with organic elements

Those searching for a rural property are likely to have an affinity with nature, Australia and farm life. However, we all need the comfort and safety that the indoors bring. The idea of bringing the outside into your home is about blending the environments for a more harmonious and seamless living experience, not about making the inside uncomfortable. An effective way to do this is with big glass windows that help you absorb the beauty outside from the comfort of your home. Adding indoor greenery and plants also makes a big impact.

For a more thorough approach, try to incorporate natural elements and features into the furniture and features of your home. For wood, you could incorporate wooden beams, replace metal and plastic furniture with wooden pieces or add wooden floorboards to a section of your home. You don't need to do a full renovation to add these elements either, so it offers a fantastic design investment to budget for.

Next, think stone. How about sealing exposed brick walls with a concrete finish or even stone cladding? You could replace shower floors with laid stone or install stone tiles to a feature wall.

Bringing the outside in might feel minor, but when it comes to determining property value, a lot of emphasis is placed on how a house makes people feel, and investing in the design is a cornerstone in appealing to buyer emotions.

5. Don’t forget about your perimeter fencing

Finally and as we mentioned, perimeter fencing is integral for larger rural properties. Installing fencing across the boundary of your property line acts as physical sectioning of your land. For potential buyers, it immediately shows them how much land is on the property so they can bring the square meterage figures into reality, and it often looks much bigger in person.

Equally important,perimeter star picket fencing shows that land is ready to be utilised to its potential, and there won't be disputes with neighbouring properties over land ownership. It tells aspiring buyers that wild animals won’t intrude on the property, thus protecting crops and livestock if buyers are hobbying or professional agriculturalists.

If you have internal sections of your land already zoned off with additional fencing, such as an area for livestock or crops, it’s best to leave this in when selling your property. You might want to reinstate these sections before you sell by opting for high-quality and durable PVC post and rail fencing. Potential buyers might like the additional fencing infrastructure already installed, and if not, it is cheaper to remove it than to install it.

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Rural properties are full of flavour—from the extra land that many possess, the surroundings of Australia's iconic native flora and fauna, and the weather conditions that few other properties around the world endure. All of this amounts to a large variance in value; some buyers will love what you’re selling, while others are better off sticking to the city.

The key to boosting your rural property value is to lean into its strengths and features while making sure it’s protected, private and secure. You don't need a total renovation to do this; with some effective fencing that withstands the harsh heat, leaning into your design skills and choosing wisely where to invest in upgrades, you’ll see its value jump up quickly.

Want to secure outback-tested fencing supplies for your outback property? Then you’re in the right place! Get in touch with our team here at Outback Fencing to learn more about how our Australian fencing supplies can boost the resale value of your outback property.