There are many aspects of your home’s exterior that you can improve to make a good impression on potential buyers. You don’t need a huge budget or lots of time; just a bit of creativity and effort will go a long way. Here are some tips to get started:
1. Make sure your home is well-maintained
This includes keeping the lawn mowed, the bushes trimmed, and the paint or siding in good condition. A well-maintained home looks cared for and is more likely to sell for a higher price. Inspect your home regularly and take care of any repairs that need to be made. For example, if your roof is leaking, fix it right away. A leaking roof can cause extensive damage, depending on where it is located, and the repair costs can be extremely high.
2. Give your home a fresh coat of exterior paint
A new coat will make your home look fresh and clean. It also improves insulation and energy efficiency, which can save you money in heating and air conditioning costs. You’ll need to do some research to find out if painting is cost-effective for your area. You might discover that a fresh paint job is not worthwhile since paint now lasts so long, especially with low or zero VOC paint. Newer homes often have a much longer life span than older homes, meaning they don’t need as many repairs as often as older homes do. Some newer homes might not even require any major exterior repairs for the first 10 to 20 years.
3. Update your landscaping
Plant some flowers, lay down some new sod, or add a few decorative stones to make your home look inviting from the street. Your landscaping doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it should look tidy. If you need help making over your landscaping, some professionals can help you with planting designs or new materials.
4. Add some new windows
Newer windows are better insulated and energy-efficient than older ones. A few replacement windows can increase the overall value of your home significantly. Installing new windows may cost a significant amount of money upfront, especially if you need more than just a few replacements. You’ll want to determine how much your utility bills would go down due to the improved insulation to decide whether it’s worth it for you financially. Some homeowners have even found that their utility bills went down so drastically after a window replacement that they ended up making a profit on their investment.
5. Clean the exterior of your home
This includes washing away any dirt, mildew, or algae from your siding or deck and power-washing wood to restore its natural color and shine. Your home will look much better with a clean exterior, but make sure you keep this work up if it’s not too high of an ongoing maintenance cost for you.
6. Upgrade your front door
A new front door can help increase the overall value of your home because it increases curb appeal. Because many homeowners tend to neglect their exteriors, a beautiful front door can be an easy way to stand out from the rest. There is a wide range of materials and designs you can choose from for a new front door.
You can even repaint your existing one in a color that suits your tastes better. If you’re unsure what kind of door would look best on your house, some professionals can help you with the design process. And don’t forget to add outdoor doormats to help keep dirt out of your house.
7. Add some new siding
This can be done to match or improve upon your home’s existing exterior. You might also want to check the condition of your current siding. You might discover that it needs replacing due to wear and tear, weather damage, rot, or other factors. New siding could increase the value of your property because it improves insulation and energy efficiency, making your home easier to heat and cool. It’s also often better at keeping out water than older types of exterior materials. However, if the cost is too great for you, some alternatives accomplish similar results.
8. Improve curb appeal in common areas
If there are spots near or around your home that aren’t accessible by potential buyers, spruce them up! For example, if there’s a patch of grass between two driveways that seem out of reach, add some plants and shrubs to create a more inviting path for owners. It doesn’t take much work to make a good impression on people who are thinking about buying your home. Just by making a few small changes, you can make a significant impact on the overall appearance of your exterior.
9. Don’t neglect your roof
A new coat of paint or shingle can go a long way in improving the look of your home’s roof. If you have any broken or missing tiles, now is the time to replace them. Be sure to take care of any other roof repairs that may be necessary so that your home doesn’t start to leak during bad weather. Neglecting your roof can lead to much more expensive repairs down the line.
In conclusion, there are many ways to improve the exterior of your home without spending a fortune. By taking some time and effort, you can make your home look more inviting and increase its value in the eyes of potential buyers.
