Outdoor Living Spaces: Pools, Kitchens, and Pergolas Buyers Want Now

 

 

By Shawn DoVale, REALTOR® — Faber + DoVale Team, Harry Norman, REALTORS®

Outdoor living space has moved from a nice-to-have to a genuine factor in how North Atlanta buyers evaluate a property, particularly at the move-up and luxury price points.

Here’s what’s showing up most often in buyer priorities, and what to consider if you’re weighing an investment in your own outdoor space.

Pools: Still a Strong Draw, With Caveats

A well-maintained pool remains a significant selling point in this market, particularly for buyers relocating from climates with a shorter swim season.

That said, pool age, equipment condition, and whether the pool is heated all factor heavily into how positively buyers respond — an outdated vinyl-liner pool with visible wear can read as a maintenance liability rather than an amenity.

Gunite pools with updated equipment and modern finishes (pebble or quartz aggregate) tend to hold buyer appeal longest.

Buyers should also budget for the ongoing cost of pool ownership — equipment, chemicals, and periodic resurfacing — when factoring a pool into their offer.

Outdoor Kitchens: From Grill Station to Full Second Kitchen

Outdoor kitchen expectations have expanded considerably.

A basic built-in grill still adds value, but the higher end of the market increasingly features full outdoor kitchens with refrigeration, sink plumbing, pizza ovens, and covered dining areas designed for genuine entertaining rather than occasional grilling.

The complexity and cost scale significantly with plumbing and gas line requirements, so it’s worth scoping a project against realistic use rather than aspirational use.

Pergolas and Covered Structures

Pergolas, covered porches, and cabana-style structures address a specific North Georgia problem: shade and rain protection extend the usable season on an outdoor space considerably in this climate.

A covered structure adjacent to a pool or kitchen area tends to make the whole space feel usable across more months of the year, which buyers notice even if they don’t articulate it directly.

Fire Features

Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces have become a common expectation in higher-end outdoor spaces, extending usability into the cooler months that bookend North Georgia’s mild winters. These range from a simple built-in gas fire pit to a full masonry fireplace as a focal point.

What Actually Affects Resale

Not every outdoor addition returns its cost equally. Generally:

• Well-executed pools and outdoor kitchens tend to support resale value and high ROI, particularly in higher price tiers where buyers expect them.
• Overbuilt or highly customized structures relative to the home’s price point can be harder to recoup — an elaborate outdoor kitchen on a modest-sized home may not match buyer expectations for that price range.
• Deferred maintenance on existing features (a neglected pool, a weathered pergola) can actively hurt marketability more than having no feature at all.

Before You Build

If you’re adding outdoor living space or other features specifically with resale in mind, it’s worth understanding what buyers in your specific price range and neighborhood typically expect — a conversation with your agent before breaking ground can help you scope a project that matches, rather than exceeds or undershoots, buyer expectations for your home’s positioning.

Considering an outdoor living upgrade before you sell — or want help finding a home with the outdoor space you’re picturing? The Faber + DoVale Team can help either way.

Shawn DoVale is a top-producing REALTOR® and Managing Director with the Faber + DoVale Team at Harry Norman, REALTORS®, specializing in Roswell, Alpharetta, Canton, Marietta/East Cobb, Woodstock, Sandy Springs, Milton, and Johns Creek.