The Yard Fire Pit Placement Mistake That's Hurting Your Home's Value

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

When your backyard is a magnet for neighborhood get-togethers, fire pits keep the party going well into the evening. From inexpensive kits to built-in structures, there are many fire pit ideas that will turn your outdoor living space into the perfect oasis. According to Zillow, improving your outdoor entertaining space with a fire pit adds a 1.1% premium to your home's sale price. But according to Rachel Stringer, real estate agent at Raleigh Realty, if you locate your fire pit too close to certain features, potential buyers may see an expensive fire hazard they'll have to relocate or remove instead of imagining themselves enjoying it with friends.

"Putting a fire feature too close to the house, trees, or the property line is usually not a great idea when you are thinking about resale," Stringer told House Digest during an exclusive interview. "Buyers tend to worry about safety and possible code violations, and they may see it as a problem they will need to fix." The real estate expert cautioned that the wrong placement can also make buyers feel like your yard is too small or cramped. "Something like a fire pit can help prospective buyers see the house as a home ... so while it might not change the appraised value on paper, it can make your home stand out in a crowded market and lead to more interest when you list." But if you put your fire pit right next to your house, onto a small patio, or too close to a fence, she said the cramped feeling "can be a turnoff for people who want to enjoy their outdoor space."

Checking your local town and HOA regulations, chatting with your insurance company about coverage, and placing your fire pit on a pad made from non-combustable materials are among the crucial safety tips to consider when installing a fire pit. But positioning it correctly is one of the most important things to keep in mind, especially if you plan to sell your home for top dollar. "If a fire pit is positioned too close to the home or other hazards, buyers might look for a discount to cover the cost of removing or moving it," Stringer said during her exclusive interview with House Digest. "This can range from a few thousand dollars for basic removal and repairs to even more if it has damaged the patio or surrounding landscaping."

If you can't afford to build a large stone structure, you may consider repurposing common items into a DIY backyard fire pit. The internet is full of ideas, from using leftover landscaping bricks to vehicle wheel rims, old washing machines, or even a satellite dish! Although these may work for a while, if you're planning to sell your home in the near future, you should probably opt for a portable option like the popular Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 Smokeless Portable Fire Pit from Amazon, which you can easily take with you when you go. "Beyond the financial side, buyers might also feel uneasy about the safety of the setup, which can make them less excited about making a strong offer," Stringer explained.

So, what is the ideal location for a fire pit? According to Stringer, you should prioritize both the safety and natural flow of your space. "The best spot to add a fire feature is going to be where it feels like it belongs," she explained during her exclusive interview with House Digest. "At the same time, it obviously needs to be a safe enough distance from the house and any foliage or trees." Stringer recommended placing your fire pit on existing patio areas, which are a natural gathering spot for outdoor entertaining. The real estate expert added that being thoughtful about your fire pit placement lets potential buyers see the feature as a bonus rather than an obstacle that gets in the way, or worse, a potential fire hazard that could cause problems.

If you're considering outdoor upgrades like adding a fire pit to boost your property value before listing, it's also important to consider the overall scale of your home and yard. "A small, well-placed fire pit with a few chairs around it can create a cozy spot that buyers can imagine enjoying without feeling like they will need to take on a big project after moving in," Stringer said. She also recommends adding fresh mulch, trimming your plants, and making sure the surrounding area is tidy. According to the real estate expert, these small details "can help tie everything together so that the fire pit feels like a natural part of the yard rather than something that was added just to catch a buyer's eye."