In a previous post, I debated whether it’s better to buy a house with a big lot or one with an amazing view. A key point was that unlike increasing livable square footage, it is almost impossible to create or improve views.
sure, you can Add a level to take a look at nearby homes. But building a new 1,000-square-foot level in San Francisco costs $1+ million and takes more than two years – If You can also take permission for this. Who has the money, time or patience for that? And while you’re there, you’ll probably need to move and pay exorbitant rent.
And let’s be real: The house in front of you is never going to willingly shrink down to give you a better view. That would be like burning home equity for fun. In real estate, more livable square footage almost always equates to greater value. Investors move up, not down.
If you buy a home with expansion potential, you can also create or smartly reuse some of the unused indoor space. Increasing a home’s livable square footage isn’t easy, but it’s more than possible to improve the look of your home.
but there Is One way to improve the look of your home: through foresight, luck, and a lot of patience. I would like to share an unexpected situation that occurred at one of my rental properties.
How I improved the look (and increased the value) of my home.
In 2014, I bought a fixer-upper in Golden Gate Heights for $1.24 million. It was quiet, safe and had amazing panoramic views of the ocean. My wife and I were unwilling to rent out our old Marina District place at $7,600-$8,000 a month, so the obvious solution was to rent it out to people who would willingly pay that amount.
At the time, I was only two years into early retirement. The economy was recovering, but we were also planning on starting a family, and I had promised my wife that she could negotiate a severance package and retire early if our financial situation was still strong in 2015 when she turned 35. So we prudently reduced the size to a comfortable space for three people.
After some research, I found a tired old house with world-class views. On warmer days I could see myself writing in the living room or on the future deck. But there was one issue: a huge, broad eucalyptus tree was partially blocking the view of the lower level.
Researching a scene-obscured tree
During the purchasing process, I saw a tree cutter nearby cutting trees and asked about eucalyptus. Its torso was about four feet wide, meaning it was probably 120 years old. He also saw the initial symptoms of the disease. Although eucalyptus trees can live up to 200 years, they didn’t think so.
“Worst case,” I thought, “this tree probably has 30 years of life left.” If I keep the house long enough and pass it on to my future children, perhaps they will eventually be able to enjoy an unobstructed ocean view. I was 34 years old at that time.
Over the next eight years, the tree grew, growing about 6 inches taller annually, producing bright red leaves each spring. I love trees (I’ve planted several myself), but losing more and more ocean view wasn’t ideal. At its growth rate, it will soon block 50% of the view upper Level also.
Shock of 2025: Trees disappear
Then in July 2025, 11 years after buying the house, I returned from my 5-week trip to Honolulu and the tree was… gone. completely. It was there before we left; Five weeks later, nada.
When I politely asked about cutting it down years ago (and was refused once I did), the neighbor decided to remove it completely. He said the tree has become a liability because of rotten branches and utility lines running through it. Removing it was the safest option.
Poor tree. But also… Hallelujah!
Suddenly my partially obstructed view of the lower level became completely panoramic again. And I won’t have to worry about the upper level view being affected for at least the next 120 years!
Value of a house with a better view
The view is undeniably better now than when I bought the house, and even better than it was after the trees grew an additional 3-4 feet.
So of course I started wondering: What’s this better view worth?
As a personal finance enthusiast, my gut tells me that the better view is worth at least $100,000 more because if this house with the better view came on the market I would happily pay $100,000 more for it. I could pay $200,000 more, but that shows my bias.
And this is partially supported by the fact that I would have happily paid the $50,000 quoted by a professional to remove that tree to improve my view. Since the neighbor paid for it, it felt like I’d won the $50,000 lottery and also $50,000 for a better view.
As a percentage of the property’s current value, $100,000 is about 4%. But it is difficult to determine the value of a scene. Land, livable square footage, interior quality, location and view are the main components of a home’s value. But the panoramic ocean views may be worth a little money. Phrases like “million-dollar views” and “priceless views” are there for a reason.
going from no view to one amazing view Depending on the composition, the value of the house can increase by up to 50%. But my house did not become a hero from nothing. It went from “good view partially blocked” to “completely unobstructed panoramic”.
So realistically, I estimate that tree removal increased the value of my home. 2%-4%, or $50,000-$100,000.
If I ever sell, I will include before and after photos, as I do with all remodeling, to help buyers see the transformation and appreciate the time, cost, and effort behind it.
In my experience, the value of a remodel increases when the buyer understands how much time and effort went into it. So keep a running spreadsheet of all items, costs, dates, and work completed, along with before and after photos.
How to Improve Your Perspective: Study the Trees Nearby
One of the sad realities of aging is the realization Nothing lasts forever. Everything breaks. From cars, roofs, water heaters to age-old eucalyptus trees, everything needs maintenance.
So if you’re looking at a home with a potentially great view, but some tree-related obstructions, remember: Trees eventually die and must be removed for safety reasons. Also, trees can be cut if you negotiate properly with your neighbor.
Here’s what to do before you buy your home:
1. Study the surrounding trees
Spend time looking at every tree that hits your line of sight.
Then hire an arborist or gardener for free looking for business and ask:
- How old is the tree?
- What is its estimated lifespan?
- Any symptoms of illness?
- Is this becoming a liability?
A tree trimmer can also give a rough estimate for free. Additionally, you can upload the tree to ChatGPT or the cloud and ask the same questions. Their answers are usually pretty solid.
Please be aware of the potential liability of having a large tree on or near your property. During a major storm, a large branch or even an entire tree can fall and cause damage to your home. This is why it is important to understand the true cost of removal.
2. ask the neighbor (politely)
Have your agent ask the listing agent to ask the neighbors if they are open to trimming. A better view increases the value of your home, and theirs too. They should like that argument, especially if you pay for the trimming.
If pruning is done properly, it also helps in improving the health of the tree. But sometimes people need a hint.
Offering a gift or financial incentive works surprisingly well if prepared properly. I’m happy to have my neighbors cut down my trees for free, as long as the trees provide privacy. I’m a fan of the cozy feel of home that includes lots of vegetation around.
3. If the neighbor says no…
it happens. Tree disputes have led to lawsuits, neighborhood wars and bloodshed. If they are not ready to be cut down, your only option is to estimate when the tree will eventually need to be removed.
Longtime residents sometimes hate it when new potential residents start demanding change. So strategically, you might want to build a good relationship with your neighbors over several years, give them lots of little things, and then ask if you can pay them to cut down their trees. Your chances increase greatly if you go this route.
4. Beware of new construction
Trees aren’t the only threat to ideas. check:
- Pending permit applications for surrounding properties
- planned reconstruction
- Can neighbors legally build higher?
Views and airspace are usually not protected. Again, cities usually have rules where you can build at the same height as your neighbors.
It’s not strange to think this far ahead for a scene
Some people will think I’m crazy for calculating the lifespan of a tree to estimate its future viewing potential. But when you’re facing a lack of housing affordability, a lot of money is at stake.
Thinking is free. Not thinking can cost you thousands.
I’ve spent 23+ years buying and selling real estate and sharing what I’ve learned so you can avoid costly mistakes. A home will likely be the biggest purchase of your life. It can make you rich or make your life miserable.
Please do not skip the professional inspection after doing your inspection several times. I don’t care how many people you bring to inspect the home on multiple visits, there is always something that you will miss that will cost you money later on.
My goal is to help you make optimal financial decisions so you can achieve financial freedom sooner.
And with a little foresight and luck, maybe you too can buy a house that magically has a better view one day.
Readers, have you ever improved the look of your home? If so, how did you do it and how much did it cost? Do you realize the potential benefits and liabilities of trees in and around your property?
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