If your neighbors drive or walk by your home and aren’t impressed with what they see on the outside, there is a high chance they wouldn’t want to know what’s inside either. After all, ‘curb appeal is something that every homeowner should consider to make their house feel and look welcoming.
Not to mention, it is something that shouldn’t be ignored when it comes to increasing your houses’ value on the market. That said, most of these homeowners overlook the outside of their house, which ultimately leads to potential buyers making judgments before even setting foot inside.
So, while curb appeal isn’t the only factor that potential home buyers consider when searching for a property they like, it undoubtedly influences their first impression, which plays a critical role in their house-purchase decision.
Performing some much-needed exterior upgrades will go a long in getting top dollar for your property. Let’s look at a few exterior updates you can do to your home to add to its value.
Replace your home’s main doors.
Not every exterior home upgrade requires a significant renovation project. For example, replacing your home’s main entrance and garage door alone can achieve excellent results without breaking the bank.
Plus, you can save a lot by utilizing your existing motorized garage door opener. But, by spending a couple of hundred bucks, you can achieve a brand new, fresh look at the end of your driveway.
Consider installing a steel door as far as the main entrance goes because it’ll leave an excellent first impression on potential home buyers for low maintenance, durability, and security.
In addition, if you’re in California, where the Sun never rests, give your patio some sun protection and aesthetical appeal by installing a shade cover. How? Google the term outdoor shade cover Irvine CA to find shade covers you like and have them installed asap.
Repair or replace your roof.
It is a no-brainer to start exterior upgrades from top to bottom, so your home’s roof is the first thing you should consider when checking out for any damage. In fact, according to a NAR(National Association of Realtors) remodeling impact report, you can quickly recover around 107 percent of the entire roof repair costs at the time of reselling, making it a critical exterior upgrade you should consider doing.
That means, if a new roof costs $10,000 to install, you will recover around $11,400 at resale.
Furthermore, houses constructed 15 to 20 years ago will indeed show signs of damage, more so if your home is located in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions.
Moreover, roofs constructed from slate, cedar shakes, or asphalt shingles can also experience issues over time, resulting in water damage and costly repairs. So, swapping out your current roof with one made of durable, more reliable material will save you a lot of money and hassle involved in replacing it.
Plus, it will add value and aesthetical appeal to your home’s outside in the process.
Replace the siding.
Many homeowners have faced issues with particular types of siding brands, including mold problems and poor durability. With that in mind, even if your siding looks as good as new, chances are you will end up facing unwanted questions from potential home buyers, especially those who have a keen eye for the little details.
On the other hand, if your siding has no life left in it, you probably need to replace it as soon as possible with vinyl or fiber-cement siding; otherwise, mold growth can creep inside and affect other areas of your home.
Moreover, it is also an energy-efficient, low-cost method to increase your home’s curb appeal and market value simultaneously. In fact, as per the Remodeling Impact Report cited above, replacing old siding is one of the most effective ways to increase home value, ranked only behind new windows and new roofing.
Get a paint touch-up.
Unless you know your way around a paint gun or brush, consider doing yourself a favor and contacting your local professional house painters instead. After all, applying a fresh coat of paint to your home’s exterior is an upgrade that every homeowner should perform from time to time, more so if you’re located in an area that experiences a lot of rainfall.
Plus, this exterior upgrade will leave potential buyers stunned while increasing your home’s value in the process.
A fresh coat of paint is an excellent and cost-effective way to give your home’s exterior an uplift. That said, if you recently painted your house, only focus on the trim, front door, window frames, and other areas that have flaking paint.
Furthermore, before applying new paint, don’t forget to pressure wash the exterior walls to remove any mold, dust, and dirt that might’ve been deposited over time.
Do some landscaping.
Maintaining a beautiful front garden can also add value to your home while increasing its exterior’s aesthetic appeal. However, you will probably have to hire a professional landscaper to guide you in the right direction to achieve such a thing.
That said, a few strategically flowers, trees, shrubs, and plants will make a world of difference when potential home buyers look at your home from the outside.
Moreover, flowers and trees attract wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and butterflies, attracting potential home buyers.
However, it doesn’t mean that your landscaping efforts have to be comprehensive. Instead, you can ask for advice from reputable landscaping professionals or your gardener for low-maintenance plants that offer you the best bang for your buck.
Conclusion.
Upgrading your home’s exterior involves a lot more than conducting a few cosmetic changes. Whether it’s replacing your roof, maintaining a lush garden, replacing the siding, or a combination of the three, your home’s exterior usually sets the mood for what’s inside.
Not to mention, it is the first thing potential homebuyers will look at when searching for houses to purchase. So, consider the exterior upgrades discussed above and include them in your upcoming home renovation projects to increase your home’s curb appeal and add thousands of dollars to your home’s value.
