To sharply increase your home’s value, you need to take on a major renovation project, right? Not necessarily. There are quite a few small scale changes and improvements you can make that will really pay off when it comes to your return on investment. In fact, you can increase your home’s value by as much as 25-30% by focusing on a few aspects of your home’s appearance, specifically the exterior curb appeal.
Improve the First Glance
Do you have a large amount of siding on your home? If so, you have probably noticed how over time, weather and seasonal temperature extremes can leave your siding looking dull and dirty. Maintaining your siding yourself isn’t that difficult, and makes a huge difference in your home’s appearance. Use a pressure washer on any stains and accumulated dirt and grime, then take a soft cloth to those harder to reach nooks and crannies.
Other places where regular cleaning and maintenance will make a lot of difference include any fencing around your house and your garage doors. If a fresh coat of paint isn’t enough to bring your garage doors back to life, you can feel good about replacing them. Today’s new garage doors are more energy efficient than older models, and your return on investment for replacements is around 90%. As for fencing, make sure any posts that are rotting or worn are replaced, and if you have a hedgerow acting as a natural fence, keep it neatly trimmed.
Keep Up the Greenery
Well-landscaped homes sell for 5-10% more than homes where the lawns have been neglected. A healthy green lawn makes your home look inviting and welcoming even in the colder months. Your yard should not be made up of grass alone though. You can create visual texture and make your home even more appealing by planting a few types of trees and shrubs of varying heights, widths and flowering times. This small additional effort will boost your home’s curb appeal year-round.
Details Matter
Sometimes the smallest details can make a surprisingly big impact on your home’s value. Painting your front door is a great idea, whether its to freshen up the current color or to add a new and vibrant pop to your home’s appearance. Shiny new hardware and fixtures for your front door are also a quick and easy way to update your curb appeal. And don’t forget the house numbers – over time your original numbers may have faded, so a new set will better match the newly painted front door and upgraded fixtures.
Staging….It’s Not Just for the Inside
Whether you’re inviting prospective buyers into your home or just entertaining guests, keep in mind that they will see your front porch and entryway before they see the inside of your home. If you have the room for it, your front porch should include comfortable seating, a decorative table, and a few potted flowers and plants. If you have only an entryway with no real porch, you can still create an appealing space with a festive wreath and attractive welcome mat.