In a earlier put up, I debated whether or not it’s higher to purchase a house with a larger lot or a tremendous view. One key level was that not like growing livable sq. footage, it’s almost not possible to create or enhance a view.
Certain, you may add a stage to peek over surrounding homes. However constructing a 1,000-square-foot new stage in San Francisco prices $1+ million and takes over two years – if you may even get it permitted. Who has the cash, time, or endurance for that? And whilst you’re at it, you’d most likely must relocate and pay sky-high hire.
And let’s be actual: the home in entrance of you isn’t going to voluntarily shrink itself to provide you a greater view. That might be like torching dwelling fairness for enjoyable. In actual property, extra livable sq. footage virtually at all times equals extra worth. Buyers construct up, not down.
In the event you purchase a dwelling with enlargement potential, you too can construct out or well reclaim some wasteful indoor area. Rising a house’s livable sq. footage will not be simple, however much more possible than enhancing your property’s view.
However there is a method to enhance your property’s view: by means of foresight, luck, and a complete lot of endurance. Let me clarify a fortuitous state of affairs that occurred at certainly one of my rental properties.
How I Improved My Dwelling’s View (and Boosted Its Worth)
In 2014, I purchased a fixer-upper in Golden Gate Heights for $1.24 million. It was quiet, secure, and had unbelievable panoramic ocean views. My spouse and I weren’t keen to hire our outdated Marina District place for $7,600–$8,000 a month, so the plain resolution was to hire it out to individuals who would willingly pay that quantity.
On the time, I used to be solely two years into early retirement. The financial system was recovering, however we have been additionally planning to begin a household, and I had promised my spouse that she may negotiate a severance bundle and retire early if our funds nonetheless seemed strong by the point she turned 35 in 2015. So we prudently down-sized into a spot snug for 3 folks.
After some exploring, I came upon a drained outdated dwelling with world-class views. I may see myself writing in the lounge or on a future deck on heat days. However there was one problem: a large, extensive eucalyptus tree partially blocking the lower-level view.
Researching the View-Blocking Tree
Through the shopping for course of, I noticed an arborist trimming bushes close by and requested in regards to the eucalyptus. Its trunk was almost 4 ft throughout, that means it was probably 120 years outdated. He additionally observed early indicators of illness. Though eucalyptus bushes may dwell to 200 years outdated, he did not suppose this one would.
“Worst case,” I believed, “this tree most likely has 30 years left.” If I held the home lengthy sufficient and handed it right down to my future youngsters, perhaps they’d ultimately get pleasure from an unobstructed ocean view. I used to be 34 on the time.
Over the subsequent eight years, the tree saved rising, roughly 6 inches taller yearly, sprouting brilliant purple leaves each spring. I like bushes (I’ve planted a number of myself), however shedding increasingly ocean view was not best. At its progress price, it could quickly block 50% of the view from the higher stage too.
The Shock of 2025: The Tree Vanishes
Then in July 2025, 11 years after I purchased the home, I returned from my 5-week journey to Honolulu and the tree was… gone. Fully. Earlier than we left it was there; 5 weeks later, nada.
After I had politely requested years earlier about trimming it (and been declined after doing so as soon as), the neighbor determined to take away it altogether. He stated the tree had turn into a legal responsibility with rotting branches and utility strains operating by means of it. Eradicating it was the most secure selection.
Poor tree. But additionally… hallelujah!
Immediately my partially obstructed lower-level view turned totally panoramic once more. And I now not needed to fear in regards to the upper-level view being impacted, for at the very least one other 120 years!
The Worth of A Dwelling With a Higher View
The view is undeniably higher now than after I purchased the house, and much better than after the tree grew an extra 3–4 ft.
So in fact I began considering: What is that this improved view value?
As a private finance fanatic, my intestine says the higher view is value at the very least $100,000 extra as a result of I’d fortunately pay $100,000 extra for this dwelling with a greater view.
And that is partially supported by the truth that I might have gladly paid the $50,000 quoted by knowledgeable to take away that tree to enhance my view. Because the neighbor paid for it as a substitute, it felt like profitable a $50,000 lottery plus one other $50,000 for the higher view.
As a share of the property’s present worth, $100,000 is about 4%. However quantifying the worth of a view is hard. Land, livable sq. footage, inside high quality, location, and examine are the primary parts of dwelling worth. However panoramic ocean views will be value a small fortune. There are phrases like “million-dollar views” and “priceless views” for a purpose.
Going from no view to an superb view may increase a house’s worth by as much as 50%, relying on comps. However my dwelling didn’t go from zero to hero. It went from “good view partially blocked” to “totally unobstructed panoramic.”
So realistically, I estimate the tree removing elevated my dwelling’s worth by 2%–4%, or $50,000–$100,000.
If I ever promote, I’ll embody before-and-after view images, simply as I do with all transforming, to assist consumers see the transformation and recognize the time, price, and energy behind it.
In my expertise, the worth of a rework will increase as soon as a purchaser understands how a lot effort and time went into it. So preserve a operating spreadsheet of all gadgets, prices, dates, and work accomplished, together with earlier than and after images.
How To Enhance Your View: Examine the Surrounding Bushes
One of many unhappy realities of growing old is realizing nothing lasts ceaselessly. All the pieces breaks down. All the pieces wants upkeep, from vehicles, roofs, water heaters, even century-old eucalyptus bushes.
So in the event you’re eyeing a house with a doubtlessly nice view however some tree-related obstacles, keep in mind: bushes ultimately die and should be eliminated for security causes. As well as, bushes will be trimmed down in the event you negotiate correctly along with your neighbor.
Right here’s what to do earlier than your property buy:
1. Examine the encircling bushes
Spend time each tree that impacts your sightline.
Then rent an arborist or a gardener at no cost in search of enterprise and ask:
- How outdated is the tree?
- What’s its estimated lifespan?
- Any indicators of illness?
- Is it changing into a legal responsibility?
A tree trimmer may also give tough estimates at no cost. As well as, you may add the tree to ChatGPT or Claude and ask the identical questions. Their solutions are often fairly strong.
Please pay attention to the potential legal responsibility of getting a big tree on or close to your property. A big department and even all the tree may fall and harm your property throughout a serious storm. For this reason it’s vital to know the reasonable price of removing.
2. Ask the neighbor (politely)
Have your agent ask the itemizing agent to ask the neighbor in the event that they’re open to trimming. A greater view will increase your property’s worth, and theirs too. They need to love that logic, particularly in the event you pay for the trimming.
Trimming additionally helps enhance the well being of the tree, if accomplished correctly. However generally folks want a nudge.
Providing a gift or a monetary incentive works surprisingly properly if framed correctly. I am completely happy to have my neighbors trim my bushes at no cost, as long as the bushes proceed to offer privateness. I am all about that cozy dwelling feeling that features having numerous surrounding vegetation.
3. If the neighbor says no…
It occurs. Tree disputes have led to lawsuits, neighbor wars, and unhealthy blood. In the event that they’re not open to trimming, your solely choice is to estimate when the tree will ultimately should be eliminated.
Lengthy-time residents generally hate it when new potential residents begin asking for change. So strategically, you could need to construct a great relationship along with your neighbors for a number of years, supply them numerous small goodies, after which ask in the event you will pay to trim their bushes. Your possibilities go manner up in the event you go this route.
4. Be careful for brand spanking new development
Bushes aren’t the one menace to views. Verify:
- Pending allow purposes of surrounding properties
- Deliberate remodels
- Whether or not neighbors can legally construct larger
Views and airspace often aren’t protected. Then once more, often cities have ordinances the place you too can construct as excessive up as your neighbors.
It’s Not Bizarre To Assume This Far Forward For A View
Some folks will suppose I’m loopy for calculating the lifespan of a tree to estimate future view potential. However while you’re going through a housing affordability crunch, large cash is at stake.
Pondering is FREE. Not considering can price you lots of of hundreds.
I’ve spent 23+ years shopping for and promoting actual property and sharing what I study so you may keep away from pricey errors. A house will probably be the largest buy of your life. It may possibly make you rich or make your life depressing.
Please do not skip out on a skilled inspection after doing your personal inspection a number of instances. I do not care how many individuals you carry to take a look at the home throughout a number of visits, there’s at all times one thing you’ll miss that may price you cash down the highway.
My aim is that can assist you make optimum monetary choices so you may obtain monetary freedom sooner.
And with slightly foresight and luck, perhaps you can also purchase a house that magically will get a greater view sooner or later.
Readers, have you ever ever improved your property’s view? If that’s the case, how did you do it and the way a lot did it price? Do you understand the potential advantages and liabilities of bushes on and surrounding your property?
