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![treehouse](https://www.domino.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/11/kids-backyard-treehouse-home-value-domino-1.jpg?strip=all&quality=95)
A treehouse is never just a treehouse—it’s a pirate ship, the top of a volcano, a palace. When you’re a kid, having a hangout nestled between the branches is a little luxury, which explains why families looking to buy homes these days consider one a hot amenity. According to new research from Zillow, not only are outdoor features prompting faster sales, they’re associated with a higher sale price. For starters, properties that mentioned a treehouse in the listing description sold for 2.2 percent more (and five days faster) than expected, one-upping Jacuzzis; swing sets; and, yes, even pools.
While this doesn’t necessarily mean you should go and build a little leafy getaway of your own before you list your house or that a treehouse alone will yield a higher ROI, it is an indicator that if you’ve got one, flaunt it. Plus it doesn’t hurt to make a few low-lift, design-focused updates to the wood-clad structure (or put a spin on the traditional type altogether).
Make It Feel Like Home
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A mini version of her family’s mid-century ranch, Chelsey Nilson’s treehouse boasts a mod interior with orange-and-white–striped floors (they help hide dirt and dead bugs), chic solar-powered pendant lighting, and large plexiglass picture windows that flood the spot with natural light. Consider this the ultimate summer reading spot.
Build From the Ground Up
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If you don’t have a giant maple or pine from which to construct a house in the sky, simply start from the grass. Builder Randy Engler put his own spin on the elevated fort by opting for a 2 1/2-foot-high platform that holds a basic box with a hatched window for airflow, planters, and string lights.
Swing Into Action
Who said a treehouse has to have a roof? This family’s epic 55-foot-high ficus is outfitted with swings (which according to Zillow’s findings also help sell homes for 0.8 percent more than expected) and a ladder, making it equally majestic. Go ahead, parents: Tap into your imagination.
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