If you’re considering selling your home, one of the best ways to increase the base value is to boost its curb appeal. The exterior of your home is like its shopfront, and by ensuring that it looks great, you can attract higher-paying buyers and ultimately make more on the sale. Here are five exterior upgrades that can significantly increase the value of your home.
1. Replace your siding
Old siding can instantly devalue your home. It tends to show environmental damage over time, especially light-colored vinyl siding, so water damage, mildew, and dirt can become evident. There are more modern siding options available now that are more durable and look great. You can choose from cedar shingles, traditional vinyl siding, and fiber cement siding to give your home an instant facelift. Make sure you work with an exterior home remodeling professional who can ensure the job gets done to the highest standard.
2. Update your front door
Upgrading your front door is one of the most inexpensive ways to boost your home’s curb appeal drastically. If your front door is outdated, you may want to swap for a modern option. That said, even a simple coat of paint can go a long way. For optimal curb appeal, choose a door that is black or charcoal. On average, you can raise your property value by around $6,000.
3. Clean up the landscaping
You don’t need to plant lush and exotic gardens to boost your curb appeal, but you need to clean it up. Overgrown shrubs and weed-infested gardens will make the exterior of your home look messy and unkempt, even if the house itself is in great shape. Something as simple as trimming the hedges and planting a few healthy plants will go a long way. When people come to view your house, they will look at how much work they need to do. If they identify the landscaping as requiring additional work and cost, then it will devalue the property.
4. Replace missing shingles
Your roof shingles face the most wear and tear of your entire home. They take a frequent beating from harsh winds or downpours of rain and snow, so you are bound to lose a few. Missing or damaged shingles can signal to new buyers that there may be a leak in the home, and it also looks displeasing in general. Have a professional come and replace any broken or missing shingles to make it attractive for buyers.
5. Fix up the gutters
Most homes have gutters that will collect rain and direct it off the house and into the yard, where it will drain off. If your gutters aren’t functioning correctly, then that water may leak into the walls and the home. They may begin to pull away from the house, or even dent due to a buildup of debris, which is why cleaning them regularly is significant. If your gutters are damaged, it will make the home look run down and decrease the value. It’s worth the cost to fix up the gutters, so they are in tip-top condition.
