In a previous post, I debated whether it’s better to buy a house with one much bigger or an amazing view. A key point was that unlike increasing livable square footage, it is almost impossible to create or improve a view.
Of course, you can add a level to see the surrounding houses. But building a new 1,000 square foot level in San Francisco costs $1+ million and takes over two years – whether you can even is allowed. Who has the money, time or patience for that? And while you’re at it, you’ll probably have to move and pay high rent.
And let’s be real: the house in front of you will never voluntarily shrink to give you a better view. That would be like burning home equity for fun. In real estate, more livable square footage almost always equals more value. Investors build up, not down.
If you buy one house with expansion potentialyou can also cleverly build or reclaim a wasted interior space. Increasing the livable square footage of a home is not easy, but much more doable than improving the look of your home.
But there IS a way to improve the appearance of your home: through foresight, luck and a lot of patience. Let me explain a random situation that occurred at one of my rental properties.
How I improved the look of my home (and increased its value)
In 2014, I bought a fixer upper in Golden Gate Heights for $1.24 million. It was quiet, safe and had incredible panoramic ocean views. My wife and I weren’t willing to rent our old apartment in the Marina District for $7,600–$8,000 a month, so the obvious solution was to rent to people willing to pay that much.
At the time, I was only two years into early retirement. The economy was recovering, but we also planned to start a family, and I had promised my wife that. she can negotiate a severance package and to retire early if our finances still looked strong by the time she turned 35 in 2015. So we cautiously downsized to a comfortable three-person place.
After some exploring, I stumbled upon an old tired house with world class views. I could see myself writing in the living room or on a future deck on warm days. But there was one issue: a giant, sprawling eucalyptus tree that partially blocked the view of the lower level.
Research the tree blocking the view
During the purchase process, I saw an arborist trimming trees nearby and asked about eucalyptus. Its trunk was nearly four meters wide, meaning it was likely 120 years old. He also noticed early signs of the disease. Although eucalyptus trees can live up to 200 years, he didn’t think this one would.
“Worst case,” I thought, “this tree probably has 30 years left.” If I kept the house long enough and passed it down to my future children, maybe they would eventually enjoy an unobstructed view of the ocean. I was 34 at the time.
Over the next eight years, the tree continued to grow, approximately 6 inches taller per year, sprouting bright red leaves each spring. I love trees (planted a few myself), but losing more and more of the ocean view wasn’t ideal. At its rate of growth, it would soon block 50% of the view from Outerwear level as well.
Shock of 2025: The tree disappears
Then in July 2025, 11 years after I bought the house, I came back from my 5 week trip to Honolulu and the tree was…gone. Completely. Before we left it was there; five weeks later, Nada.
After politely asking years ago to trim it (and being turned down after doing it once), the neighbor decided to remove it altogether. He said the tree had become a liability with rotting branches and utility lines running through it. Removing him was the safest choice.
Poor tree. But also… hallelujah!
Suddenly my partially obstructed low-level view became fully panoramic again. And I didn’t have to worry about affecting the high-end look, for at least another 120 years!
The value of a house with a better view
The view is definitely better now than when I bought the house and much better than after the tree grew an extra 3–4 feet.
So of course I started thinking: How much is this improved look worth?
Like one personal finance enthusiastmy heart says the better view is worth at least $100,000 more because I would happily pay $100,000 more for this house with a better view.
And this is supported in part by the fact that I would have happily paid the $50,000 a professional quoted me to remove that tree to improve my view. Since the neighbor paid for it instead, it felt like he won a $50,000 lottery plus another $50,000 for the best look.
As a percentage of the property’s current value, $100,000 is about 4%. But quantifying the value of a view is tricky. Land, livable square footage, interior quality, location, and appearance are key components of home value. But panoramic ocean views it can be worth a small fortune. There are phrases like “million dollar views” and “priceless views” for a reason.
Going from no view to one stunning view can increase the value of a home by up to 50%, depending on the compounds. But my house didn’t go from zero to hero. It went from “good partially blocked view” to “completely unobstructed panoramic”.
So realistically, I estimate that removing the trees increased the value of my home 2%–4% or $50,000–$100,000.
If I ever sell, I will include before and after photos, just like I do with all remodelingto help buyers see the transformation and appreciate the time, cost and effort behind it.
In my experience, the value of a remodel increases once a buyer realizes how much time and effort went into it. So keep a spreadsheet of all items, costs, dates and work completed, along with before and after photos.
How to improve your view: Study the surrounding trees
One of the sad realities of aging is realization nothing it lasts forever. Everything breaks. Everything needs maintenance, from cars, roofs, water heaters, even century-old eucalyptus trees.
So if you’re looking at a home with a potentially great view but some tree-related setbacks, remember: trees eventually die and must be removed for safety reasons. In addition, trees can be trimmed if you negotiate properly with your neighbor.
Here’s what you should do before buying your home:
1. Study the surrounding trees
Spend time looking at any trees that affect your line of sight.
Then hire an arborist or gardener for free by looking for business and ask:
- How old is the tree?
- What is its estimated lifespan?
- Any signs of illness?
- Is it becoming a liability?
A tree trimmer can also provide free rough estimates. In addition, you can upload the tree to ChatGPT or Claude 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. A large branch or even the entire tree can fall and damage your home during a large storm. That’s why it’s important to understand the real cost of removal.
2. Ask the neighbor (politely)
Have your agent ask the listing agent to ask the neighbor if they are open to downsizing. A better view increases the value of your home, as well as theirs. They must love that logic, especially if you pay for the cut.
Pruning also helps improve the health of the tree, if done properly. But sometimes people need a push.
Offering a gift or a financial incentive works surprisingly well if it’s tailored properly. I’m happy for my neighbors to trim my trees for free, as long as the trees still provide privacy. I’m all for it cozy feeling at home which involves having a lot of vegetation around.
3. If the neighbor says no…
it happens Disputes over trees have led to lawsuits, neighbor wars and bad blood. If they are not open for felling, your only option is to estimate when the tree will eventually need to be removed.
Old residents sometimes hate it when potential new residents start demanding change. So, strategically, you might want to build a good relationship with your neighbors for a few years, offer them lots of little niceties, and then ask if you can pay to trim their trees. Your chances are greatly increased if you go this route.
4. Beware of new construction
Trees aren’t the only threat to views. Check:
- Pending permit applications for surrounding properties
- Remodeling planned
- If neighbors can legally build taller
Views and airspace are usually not protected. Then again, usually cities have ordinances where you can build as high as your neighbors.
It’s not strange to think so far into a picture
Some people will think I’m crazy to calculate the lifespan of a tree to estimate its future viewing potential. But when faced with one the housing affordability crisis, big money is at risk.
Thinking is FREE. Not thinking can cost you hundreds of thousands.
I’ve spent over 23 years buying and selling real estate and sharing what I learn so you can avoid making costly mistakes. A home is likely to be the largest purchase of your life. can make you rich or make life miserable.
Please don’t miss one professional inspection after you have done your check a few times. I don’t care how many people you bring to inspect the home over multiple visits, there is always something you will miss that will cost you money down the road.
My goal is to help you make optimal financial decisions so you can reach financial freedom faster.
And with a little foresight and luck, maybe you too can buy a house that magically takes on a better look 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 understand the potential benefits and liabilities of trees on and around your property?
