In a earlier publish, I debated whether or not it’s higher to purchase a house with a bigger lot or an amazing view. One key level was that in contrast to 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’ll be able to even get it permitted. Who has the cash, time, or endurance for that? And whilst you’re at it, you’d most likely have to relocate and pay sky-high lease.
And let’s be actual: the home in entrance of you is rarely going to voluntarily shrink itself to present you a greater view. That might be like torching house fairness for enjoyable. In actual property, extra livable sq. footage nearly at all times equals extra worth. Buyers construct up, not down.
In the event you purchase a home with expansion potential, you may as well construct out or well reclaim some wasteful indoor house. Rising a house’s livable sq. footage will not be straightforward, however way more possible than bettering your private home’s view.
However there is a method to enhance your private home’s view: via foresight, luck, and an entire lot of endurance. Let me clarify a fortuitous scenario that occurred at one among my rental properties.
How I Improved My House’s View (and Boosted Its Worth)
In 2014, I bought a fixer-upper in Golden Gate Heights for $1.24 million. It was quiet, protected, and had unbelievable panoramic ocean views. My spouse and I weren’t keen to lease our outdated Marina District place for $7,600–$8,000 a month, so the plain answer was to lease it out to individuals who would willingly pay that quantity.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 start out a household, and I had promised my spouse that she could negotiate a severance package and retire early if our funds nonetheless regarded stable by the point she turned 35 in 2015. So we prudently down-sized into a spot snug for 3 individuals.
After some exploring, I came across a drained outdated house with world-class views.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: an enormous, large eucalyptus tree partially blocking the lower-level view.
Researching the View-Blocking Tree
In the course of the shopping for course of, I noticed an arborist trimming timber close by and requested in regards to the eucalyptus. Its trunk was almost 4 toes throughout, which means it was doubtless 120 years outdated. He additionally seen early indicators of illness. Though eucalyptus timber 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 all the way down to my future children, perhaps they’d finally take pleasure in 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 shiny pink leaves each spring. I really like timber (I’ve planted a number of myself), however shedding increasingly ocean view was not ultimate. At its development fee, it might 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. Utterly. 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 grow to be a legal responsibility with rotting branches and utility strains operating via it. Eradicating it was the most secure alternative.
Poor tree. But in addition… hallelujah!
Out of the blue my partially obstructed lower-level view turned absolutely panoramic once more. And I not needed to fear in regards to the upper-level view being impacted, for a minimum of one other 120 years!
The Worth of A House With a Higher View
The view is undeniably higher now than after I purchased the house, and much better than after the tree grew a further 3–4 toes.
So after all I began considering: What is that this improved view value?
As a personal finance enthusiast, my intestine says the higher view is value a minimum of $100,000 extra as a result of I’d fortunately pay $100,000 extra for this house 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 an alternative, it felt like profitable a $50,000 lottery plus one other $50,000 for the higher view.
As a proportion of the property’s present worth, $100,000 is about 4%. However quantifying the worth of a view is difficult. Land, livable sq. footage, inside high quality, location, and examine are the principle elements of house worth. However panoramic ocean views may be value a small fortune. There are phrases like “million-dollar views” and “priceless views” for a motive.
Going from no view to an superb view may enhance a house’s worth by as much as 50%, relying on comps. However my house didn’t go from zero to hero. It went from “good view partially blocked” to “absolutely unobstructed panoramic.”
So realistically, I estimate the tree removing elevated my house’s worth by 2%–4%, or $50,000–$100,000.
If I ever promote, I’ll embrace before-and-after view images, simply as I do with all remodeling, to assist patrons see the transformation and recognize the time, value, 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 maintain a operating spreadsheet of all gadgets, prices, dates, and work accomplished, together with earlier than and after images.
How To Enhance Your View: Research the Surrounding Timber
One of many unhappy realities of getting older is realizing nothing lasts without end. Every thing breaks down. Every thing wants upkeep, from automobiles, roofs, water heaters, even century-old eucalyptus timber.
So for those who’re eyeing a house with a probably nice view however some tree-related obstacles, keep in mind: timber finally die and should be eliminated for security causes. As well as, timber may be trimmed down for those who negotiate correctly together with your neighbor.
Right here’s what to do earlier than your private home buy:
1. Research the encompassing timber
Spend time each tree that impacts your sightline.
Then rent an arborist or a gardener without cost searching for enterprise and ask:
- How outdated is the tree?
- What’s its estimated lifespan?
- Any indicators of illness?
- Is it turning into a legal responsibility?
A tree trimmer can even give tough estimates without cost. As well as, you’ll be able to add the tree to ChatGPT or Claude and ask the identical questions. Their solutions are normally fairly stable.
Please concentrate on 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 injury your private home throughout a serious storm. This is the reason it’s vital to know the sensible value 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 private home’s worth, and theirs too. They need to love that logic, particularly for those who pay for the trimming.
Trimming additionally helps enhance the well being of the tree, if completed correctly. However typically individuals want a nudge.
Providing a gift or a monetary incentive works surprisingly effectively if framed correctly. I am blissful to have my neighbors trim my timber without cost, as long as the timber proceed to supply privateness. I am all about that cozy home feeling that features having a number of 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 possibility is to estimate when the tree will finally should be eliminated.
Lengthy-time residents typically hate it when new potential residents begin asking for change. So strategically, you might need to construct a very good relationship together with your neighbors for a number of years, supply them a number of small goodies, after which ask for those who will pay to trim their timber. Your possibilities go manner up for those who go this route.
4. Be careful for brand spanking new development
Timber aren’t the one menace to views. Test:
- Pending allow purposes of surrounding properties
- Deliberate remodels
- Whether or not neighbors can legally construct larger
Views and airspace normally aren’t protected. Then once more, normally cities have ordinances the place you may as well construct as excessive up as your neighbors.
It’s Not Bizarre To Assume This Far Forward For A View
Some individuals will suppose I’m loopy for calculating the lifespan of a tree to estimate future view potential. However once you’re dealing with a housing affordability crunch, large cash is at stake.
Considering is FREE. Not considering can value you a whole bunch of 1000’s.
I’ve spent 23+ years shopping for and promoting actual property and sharing what I be taught so you’ll be able to keep away from pricey errors. A house will doubtless be the most important buy of your life. It might make you wealthy or make your life depressing.
Please do not skip out on a professional inspection after doing your individual 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 can value you cash down the highway.
My aim is that will help you make optimum monetary selections so you’ll be able to obtain monetary freedom sooner.
And with a little bit foresight and luck, perhaps you can also purchase a house that magically will get a greater view at some point.
Readers, have you ever ever improved your private home’s view? If that’s the case, how did you do it and the way a lot did it value? Do you notice the potential advantages and liabilities of timber on and surrounding your property?
