People buy housing based on square ft, #rooms, and baths. That being said, re-couping landscaping depends on the housing market...

In a sellers market, you could have a moon-scape, and nobody would notice. In a buyers market it may be a differentiator, but that is subjective to how garden-savy is the buyer.

An immaculant golf-course quality lawn, coupled with a nice foundation planting, and a wishing well is a nice middle ground between the two extremes.

Well, if you are thinking resale, I always hear that swimming pools lower your resale opportunities since there are a lot of people who definitely don't want them.

Outdoor kitchens seem to be a big trend, and so are water features - but my gut feeling tells me an outdoor kitchen is going to do more for your resale than a water feature, since it is a usable feature. And some water features are more successful than others - some end up looking really, really awkward.

I think outdoor firepits & fireplaces are another big trend right now, too, btw, but you'd probably have to do something pretty elaborate for it to really make any difference resale-wise. But, who knows?

Some real estate professionals recommend spending 10% of the value of your home, which would be $150,000. We're hoping to spend $60 - 70,000 with out a pool.

I'm guessing you're in California. Hard to anticipate the direction of housing markets and "wow factors" are quite subjective. A well designed patio, with or without the outdoor kitchen, would be a plus I'd consider. Unless the water feature was the Cascade at Chatsworth, I would let that go as well as the pool for maintenance and water conservation issues. As for gardens, something to work with or around would catch my attention, but regardless of what was there, my own stamp would be put on it ultimately.

So, with a minimum of five years to reside where you are, do what suits you and your life style instead of trying to guess future housing trends. Focusing solely on that may be preventing you from enhancing your blank slate and enjoying your property now. There must be an endless array of plant material available to your climate which requires only a modest amount of maintenance.

My two cents worth. If you are looking to resell, don't worry so much about having a really tricked out yard(s) as the looks and condition of the inside of the house, especially the kitchen. We're in No. Calif and there was a large span of lawn in the front and back that looked really nice and a few roses bushes, and a painted deck. There were aggregate sections in the front and back in areas- it makes for a really attractive and clean look to the yards. The inside was nice and bright, and compared to others we saw in the same range it looked most like a model home.

I see lots of the outdoor kitchens and fireplaces shown at garden places and rockery places out here--- be aware that if you go to the expense of putting such a large stone thing in, a potential seller MAY not like your choice of stone and its coloration, or even want a outdoor fireplace-- and will not consider it buying the house. Same with design for a pool. What I see for sale in our area that is selling is a fresh and maintained looking exterior, well kept yards of nicely manicured lawns with some attempt at adding nice flowers and flowering plants. Some stone at a walkway up to the entryway area and front door looks very first class and has high curb appeal. Anything too "style" specific (asian, italian, tropical, ultra modern, etc.) ain't selling. Everyone's style is very subjective, what one likes someone else may not.

To see pics of our recent front and back landscaping and garden projects, ck out my Picture Trail:

careytearose

Here is a link that might be useful: look at Landsacping Projects 2007, Garden Style/English Style Decorating , and the Favourite ROSES albums

There are many parts of California - the central valley being one - where NOT having a swimming pool is considered a negative sale factor. Outdoor living seems to be a major trend throughout much of the west and features such as expansive patios/deck/terraces, outdoor kitchens or fireplaces and some sort of well-designed but rather conservative water feature are in high demand. It might make sense to put on your looky-lou personas and drive around your area checking out open houses or other for-sale situations and see what's out there and what they perceive the value to be. It might help to direct you towards improvements you will enjoy as well as realize a nice return on, as well as provide some design inspiration.

Wow, that's a great budget to work with!

If I had that much to work with,I would definetly hire a landscape designer to make sure it was done right with mature plants and lots of stonework.

A cobblestone driveway, stone wall fencing, and an Amish gazebo would be at the top of my list. I don't know what's popular in your region, but that's my wish-list.

I have enjoyed reading the input from everyone. We live in San Ramon - CA. As far as what we've been hearing is expected in a backyard design, gardenga148 hit the nail on head. Over the top. I'm hoping whatever we do will increase the value of the home or at least, get what we put into it.

I've made arrangements to meet with a landscape arcitect next week so I'll keep everyone posted. In the meantime, keep your suggestion and opinions coming.

Research done here in Quebec at the University of Laval came to the conclusion that it is the maturity of the landscape that sells, which translates as trees and grass. I also know from personal experience that when someone personalizes their landscape moving becomes less of an option. Designing a garden to please the real estate market may be one of the most soulless ambitions. Unless you believe that your taste is completely off the wall I would suggest that you design around the way you live, chances are you are not alone and at least you get to enjoy it for your five years and maybe longer.

If we are entering into a several year drought situation here in northern California, which is entirely possible, I think it would definitely be a selling point to have a less water intensive landscape, that reduces the amount of lawn to the bare minimum, and utilizes climate appropriate plants. EBMUD water bills are only going to continue to climb upwards, and lawns and azaleas which are predominant landscape choices in San Ramon just suck up the water.

I'd suggest that a pool will probably not give you 100% return on your investment, and would use most of your intended budget just for the pool. However, if the pool is well integrated into the garden and is something your family would enjoy and give you life long memories, why not build one? Swimming pools certainly do act as an entertainment magnet and attract both adults and kids to stay at home, but only if the pleasure outweighs the maintenance effort and costs, and the increased risk of an accident due to young children doesn't apply.

Again, an outdoor kitchen can make alot of sense if you actually will use it and enjoy it, but will also soak up alot of your intended budget, leaving not alot for planting and irrigation.

As a landscape architect/designer who has worked on alot of model home landscapes over the years, what seems to help sell the home in regards to landscaping is to give it curb appeal at the front, and to frame views attractively from the inside of the home looking out. Well designed and proportioned patios or decks that provide outdoor living space in logical proximity to the family room and/or kitchen, and maybe a semi-secluded entry courtyard for taking morning coffee and giving you some usable yet private outdoor space at the front might help distinguish your house from the competition when you resell. Provide some areas with sun, some areas with shade, accentuate your good views and screen the less attractive ones. These are all pretty basic landscape principles for any new garden, not just for resale. Knowing that lot sizes are small in San Ramon and California in general compared to elsewhere in the country; anything that you can do to make your garden appear spacious and well layed out and give you privacy will add more value.

I would also advise you to avoid high water using plants and stick to mediterranean climate plants that you like the appearance of, and limit or eliminate a lawn altogether. You might appear very prescient when you go to sell if you can tout your relatively low water bill for landscaping. I also wouldn't worry so much about making wrong choices in the landscaping, as you might be surprised at how often a buyer says they bought your house for the garden, and love it just the way it is, and then procede to tear it all out and start over! I have seen exactly this with several gardens I put in for the sellers/neighbors, and then watched it get ripped out.

Thanks everyone. We've been in the home for a year now. Originally I had planned to go with a nice but relatively basic backyard. Listening to friends and seeing what other people have done, I lost my own perspective some where along the way.

Thanks Bahia! I started a list of what needs to be done to execute your suggestions. For example we have a courtyard -I can fence in the courtyard and fill in some of the plant area so we can have a seating area. :)

Hubby and I just went through this... we decided against the pool. We just didn't think that we'd be able to recoup the cost of a pool in the short amount of time that we'll be living in our home.

BTW _ I just did a search of houses for sale in San Ramon and browsed through the houses in your price range. I didn't see any that had a pool. Lots of them had built-in BBQs (I wouldn't even call them backyard kitchens), and one had a firepit... overall it was simple CA elegance. Save your money... don't eat up your future equity with a pool... use that equity towards a pool in your permanent home someday!

I watch the HGTV and DIY shows all the time. The very best thing to do in warm climate places is to have a yard seating area with a table, chairs, water feature, and shade. Because outside living areas are all important in warm climates bright flowers and flowering trees are a must.
Pebble stones retain heat and should be avoided. Flat slate or another cold stone should be used instead.
At least that is what they always say.
My daughters home in NM had crushed lava rock and pebble. She had it taken away. It raised the temperature greatly. Her kids couldn't even walk on it with flip flops it got so hot.
Misting hoses will cool an area efficently. She has a back of the home deck with them. Evenings outside are lovely and cool because of them.

We are about 90% sure we're going to put in a pool. I'm in the process of getting 3 bids from reputable companies in the area.

We're swaying towards stamped concrete. Is pebble rock the same as aggregate.

I love HGTV. Have you seen the newest show, Get Out, Way Out?

I haven't seen Get Out, Way Out,? but will watch for it!
I am sure that you understand the seriousness of the pool? Insurance will skyrocket, pets sometimes drown, and the need for very high fencing in populated area's.
I do believe that the pebble rock is the same as aggregate.
We were considering a pool too, then the neighbors cat climbed their fence and drown. End of story ....
No pool for us, thanks. Have fun with yours.!!!