Selling your home can be emotionally challenging and surprisingly time-consuming, especially for someone who hasn’t done it before. Potential buyers will visit your home and criticize a place that has become more than just a roof with four walls to you. To top it all off, they’ll offer to buy your home for less money than it’s worth.
Fortunately, there are several exterior home upgrades you can make that can quickly increase its value, resulting in a big return on investment. Because when it comes to selling your home, curb appeal is everything. In fact, 71% of potential buyers say that the curb appeal of a home is an essential factor in their home-buying decisions. Here are some exterior upgrades and design ideas that can help increase your home’s curb appeal and resale value.
Upgrade your exterior doors
A front door says a lot about your home. It is the first thing your neighbors, and potential buyers will notice and walk through. Your home’s first impression rests on it.
Upgrading old exterior doors by painting or replacing them can work wonders. A top-notch front door will not only boost your home value, it will also make your home feel secure. What’s more is that it recoups up to 102% of the project’s cost, which is an excellent return on your investment.
Spruce up your landscaping
Both first-time and experienced buyers do a lot of research before buying a home. Since there’re tons of options out there, standing out from the competition (especially on the internet) is important. Most prospective homebuyers utilize the internet in their home research process, so you have to drive in potential buyers by showcasing your property in the best light possible. Upgraded landscaping can help in this regard. A quality landscaping update and other modest enhancements to your front exterior can net you up to a 215% ROI, get your home sold 10-15% quicker, and boost its value by 28%.
Add a fresh coat of paint
Paint is magic. Whether you’re updating the interior or exterior of your home, a fresh coat of paint can freshen up a dated interior or a tired-looking façade, and it’s not overly expensive either. However, you should be careful to avoid going overboard with your color choices. Choose colors that are neutral but inviting, such as white, tan or taupe.
Painting your home exterior can significantly impact its perception by potential buyers and get them to envision themselves in your home, increasing your home’s resale value and getting it sold quicker.
Let there be nicer outdoor lighting
Outdoor lighting improves your home ambiance at night, but stylish new fixtures will snazz things up during the day. If you’re on a tight budget and cannot get as many fixtures as you’d like, make sure you choose an area where they will get the most attention, like your home walkway or beside your front door.
You should also consider illuminating your landscape and ensuring your property can be seen during the day and night. Add ground lights to high bushes and accent trees, soffit lights to highlight your home’s architecture, or create a welcome glow near your front door with porch lights. This will not only illuminate your exterior and make it easier to navigate by guests and visitors, but it will also improve the look and feel of your home.
Pressure wash your exterior
Everything looks better after a wash! Many people do not realize how dirty their sidewalks and driveways are until they pressure wash the surfaces.
Luckily, renting a pressure washer is not costly (around $40-$100 per day), and an avid DIYer can handle the task. If you’re not ready to take it on yourself or don’t have the time, you can have your property pressure washed for an average price of $250. A good pressure washing can help rejuvenate and brighten up your home exterior, which can make a huge difference when it’s time to sell your home.
Add a privacy fence
A high-quality privacy fence will upgrade the security and look of your home. Fences can be made from a variety of materials, such as stone or wood, and are often between 4 to 9 feet high depending on where you live. Find the right style for your home, and it will be a welcome addition.
Fences help keep pets and kids safe and can even enhance your curb appeal. They can add style and interest and can help define your property. According to HomeAdvisor, homeowners pay between $1,674 and $4,081, or an average of $2,869, to install a wood fence, but you can expect to get a 100% return or more when it’s time to sell.
Update your windows
Updating old single-pane windows is an excellent way to improve your energy efficiency, modernize your home and add a level of security to your home. According to Energy Star, replacing your windows can help you save up to $465 on your energy bills.
Potential homebuyers will notice the value in energy-efficient additions. The windows will not only give your home a new life, but they can also help encourage homebuyers that your home is a good investment for them.
The bottom line is:
Curb appeal has a huge impact on the value of your home. And as you can tell by this list, there are several ways to upgrade the exterior of your home and increase its curb appeal to boost your home’s resale value.
Ready to tackle some exterior home improvements projects around your home? White Oak Construction can check those projects off your list and help boost your home’s resale value! We know home improvement inside and out and have been providing value to Hoosier homeowners since 1982! Schedule your FREE estimate now.
