Invest in Your Backyard Oasis without Monthly Payments

As the last of the snow finally retreats and the first hints of green appear, Canadian homeowners experience a familiar shift. We stop spending as much time cooped up inside and start getting excited to return to our outdoor spaces (without a parka). Spring is the natural season for a home check-up, but it is also a time to revisit and evaluate your backyard potential.

Maintenance is a priority, but many of us dream of moving beyond simple repairs to create a true backyard retreat. The hurdle is usually the financial gap between that vision and the significant upfront investment required to build it. Below, we’ll walk through how to prep your yard for the season, the upgrades that actually add value, and an innovative, debt-free way to fund your ultimate staycation.

Your Home Maintenance Checklist for the Spring

The freeze-thaw cycle can be harsh on our properties, often leaving behind a long to-do list. A quick spring inspection and a bit of proactive maintenance can prevent expensive surprises later in the year when you’re enjoying your outdoor space. It also protects your property’s value.

• Safety first: Before dreaming up a new deck, inspect your current roof, walkways, and detached structures (like a garage or shed) for any winter damage or rot. A safe foundation is key.
• Clear the way: Clean out gutters and downspouts clogged with winter debris to ensure proper drainage away from where you plan to build or relax.
• Check the exterior: Mend cracks in exterior concrete and touch up siding or trim.
• Clean up: Thoroughly clean your driveway, porch, patio, and deck to remove winter grime and debris.

No-Regret Improvements According to the Professionals

Once the chores are done, the fun begins. According to a recent survey by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute of Canada,¹ a vast majority of Canadians (79%) see their yard as a true extension of their home. In fact, more than 3 in 4 recent yard owners have financially invested in their outdoor spaces in recent years.

Whether your favourite way to spend time outside is gardening, lounging, cooking, being active, or playing with pets, the right environment makes all the difference. But how do you know which upgrades are actually worth the investment? When we look at analyses from professional real estate appraisers and top garden designers, certain improvements stand out. If you are looking to invest in a backyard oasis, these improvements consistently deliver enjoyment value:²

• Decks, Patios, and Built-in Seating: These create a permanent, low-maintenance foundation for relaxing and entertaining. The Appraisal Institute of Canada specifically lists decks in its top five renovations for highest enjoyment value.
• Privacy Enhancements: For many homeowners, a backyard only feels like an oasis when it offers some seclusion. High-quality privacy fencing is a massive value-add and also makes the Appraisal Institute of Canada’s top five list for enjoyment.
• Low-Maintenance Landscaping: Replacing struggling grass with native perennials or stone pathways reduces weekend chores while dramatically boosting curb appeal. The Appraisal Institute of Canada notes landscaping as a top driver for homeowner enjoyment.
• Pergolas and Screened Porches: Designers love these additions because they add much-needed shade and protection from the elements.
• Dedicated Fire-Pit Areas: These create a cozy focal point that is great for entertaining guests late into the evening. (But be sure to check first if your city allows fire pits.)
• Outdoor Kitchens: While a larger upfront investment, designers agree these transform your yard into a highly functional primary dining space.
• Ambient Outdoor Lighting: Hardwired landscape lighting or high-quality string lights extend the usability of your yard well into the night and make the space feel intentionally designed.

What Does a Backyard Oasis Actually Cost?

Creating a professional-grade backyard is a substantial investment. For example, recent estimates in the Greater Toronto Area show that a minor backyard overhaul can easily reach $35,000, while a major transformation can quickly exceed $100,000.³ 

Many homeowners instinctively turn to traditional debt products like a HELOC or a cash-out mortgage refinance to fund these sorts of projects. If you can easily qualify and comfortably manage the payments, these are excellent solutions. However, for many others, strict income stress-tests can make these options unattainable. Even if you do qualify, a new monthly payment obligation can add financial strain. This is especially true if you are retired on a fixed income, have fluctuating earnings, or simply want to preserve your borrowing capacity for unexpected family needs.

A New Way to Fund Your Vision: The Clay HESA

If you want to maximize your backyard’s potential and invest in your home without the burden of new monthly payments, a HESA from Clay Financial offers a flexible path forward. 

A Home Equity Sharing Agreement, or HESA, is a new financial contract that allows homeowners to access a portion of their home equity without taking on more debt or making monthly payments. It provides you with a lump-sum payment today. In exchange, you’ll make a payment at the end of the HESA equal to the original amount you received plus (or minus) our share of how much your home has appreciated (or depreciated) since the beginning of the contract.

The HESA has a flexible term, ending when you sell or transfer your home, or after 25 years. You also have the option to buy out the agreement anytime after the first 5 years. There is no age restriction and it preserves your existing equity, as it only shares in the future change in the value of your home.

The advantages for a backyard project are clear:

Lump Sum Cash: Receive the funds you need upfront to pay contractors and buy materials allowing you to start projects when you want.

Zero Monthly Payments: Because a HESA is not a loan, there is no interest rate and no monthly bills to worry about. Your day-to-day cash flow remains completely untouched.

Home Improvement Adjustment: We believe you should reap the rewards of your own hard work and investment. If your new backyard oasis increases the appraised value of your home at the end of the HESA, this feature ensures you keep 100% of the incremental appreciation that results from those specific improvements.

Step Into the Backyard You’ve Always Imagined

You shouldn’t have to choose between creating a beautiful outdoor living space and maintaining a comfortable monthly budget. The equity you’ve diligently built in your home is a powerful tool. By using a HESA, you can move from staring at a spring to-do list to enjoying total relaxation, making your wealth work for you without taking on new debt.

Ready to see what a HESA could look like for your backyard project? Get a free, no-obligation estimate in minutes on our website to find out how much equity you could access.

1. Survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute of Canada (2023). ↩︎
2. Based on analysis by The Spruce (2025) and the Appraisal Institute of Canada (2023). ↩︎
3. Indicative pricing from a Toronto-based landscaping business. ↩︎