• The window to act is coming fast: Homes in the D.C. area listed in the last two weeks of April earned the highest sale prices last year, per Zillow.

The big picture: D.C. buyers put a premium on private outdoor space — think: tightly boarded fencing and layouts that block sight lines from neighbors or taller buildings.

• "It's especially important because you're in a city and everything is obviously a lot more crammed together," real estate agent Alison Scimeca tells Axios.
• Installing a fence averages $3,234, with sellers potentially recouping 50% of the cost in resale value, per Angi (formerly Angie's List).

Zoom in: For city pet owners especially, a fully fenced yard is a top priority, real estate agent Harrison Beacher tells Axios.

• "A lot of folks in smaller properties are not as concerned about playing space for little humans, but a lot of them will have a pet."
• The same idea holds in the suburbs, where growing families want to open the door and let kids and four-legged friends roam freely, he says.

Beyond fencing, other ways to boost outdoor appeal and value include:

• Power wash brick and stone so they "don't look mildewy," Scimeca says.
• Add flower pots or bushes that can hold up through the colder months (and provide privacy from neighboring buildings).

Yes, but: Don't go overboard, Beacher says. A couple of planters can suggest gardening potential without intimidating buyers who don't have a green thumb.

The bottom line: You don't have to do it all, Scimeca says. "It depends on the space you have."