Adding a deck offers the best return on investment for your backyard.

SUMMER UPDATE #4: THE DECK

Your ROI: Excellent

Why excellent: People simply love decks and compared to, say, a swimming pool (average cost: $15,000), they're relatively cheap (figure about $2,000-$5,000 or more, depending on where you live in the country and what you're looking for).

As DeSimone raves, "A deck is easy to build, brings the outdoors in and is instantly valuable." Lai agrees, calling it "probably the most dependable investment a consumer can make to their backyard."

What to focus on when you're building: Like the outdoor rooms, you want your deck to fit in with the character of the house. It should look like the original home builder constructed it and not as if it was some hasty add-on.

And don't forget about the lighting, cautions Lai. Think compact fluorescent bulbs and LED lighting, which are very energy-efficient. You might even want to go with solar-powered lights. From an energy standpoint, says Lai, "Every bulb makes a big difference, really, and this can help pay that deck project much faster."

It's also something that customers are expecting, says Lai, and so once again, investing in energy-efficient lighting can pay off when you do sell it. Of course, if you really go all out and revamp your backyard, you may just never want to sell your house.

NEXT: Tips for Four Summer Season Home Updates >>

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• Adapt Your Home to Its Selling Season
• Home Seller's Guide
• Budget Friendly Ways to Add Home Value
• Selling Smart in a Buyer's Market
• Home Staging Guide
• Tools and Calculators