When potential buyers stop by to view your home, or even search for available properties online, their first impression will not be of your home’s living room or kitchen; their first impression will be of your home’s exterior. The curb appeal of your home can be the deciding factor on whether a buyer ever sets foot inside. You’ve probably considered new flooring, touching up your wall paint, and removing popcorn from your ceiling to increase your home’s value, but what have you done to bolster your home’s exterior? Here are four things you can do to improve the exterior of your home and increase its resale value.
1. Clean Up Your Home Exterior
Wind, rain, ice, and snow — the exterior face of your home has been through a lot. Years of shielding you from the elements can take quite a toll on your house, and chances are the signs of wear and tear can be seen on the outside of your home. So, why not give your home’s face a touch up? Revitalizing your home’s exterior begins with a thorough cleaning. Pull out the pressure washer and hose down the trim and sidings of your home. Many times, this alone will wash away years of grime and weathering. At the very least, it will show you spots where paint has chipped and faded, giving you a clean surface to add some touch up paint.
2. Give Your Lawn and Garden a Manicure
A beautiful home can be seriously hampered if buyers have to weave through knee-high crabgrass and overgrown bushes just to get to the front door. Keeping your lawn clean and accessible will allow buyers to see all your property has to offer. For starters, you should try to keep your grass short and green, with clean, crisp lines dividing lawn and pavement. Landscaping can give your property an extra flair and add to the value of your home as a whole.
3. Invest in Your Backyard
When sprucing up your home’s exterior, don’t forget about your backyard. While the backyard might be an afterthought for some buyers, having a private, relaxing space tucked away in the back of your home can be an added bonus for many buyers. There are many directions you can take to improve the value of your backyard. You can make it a private oasis, or the perfect spot for a barbecue. Whatever direction you take, don’t underestimate the power of having a patio space in the back of your home. A patio will be seen as a blank canvas for buyers, who can take that extra floor space and transform it however they see fit.
4. Patch Up Your Roof
The roof of your home isn’t just important for the aesthetic quality of your home. Your roof is on the front line when it comes to defending your home from the elements. If there are any vulnerabilities in your roof, it can lead to big problems down the road. As you prepare to sell your home, you need to make sure that your roof is in tip top shape. Your first step might involve you climbing up a ladder, or perhaps getting an expert to appraise the condition of your roof.
Of course, you need to be careful when getting your roof appraised and watch out for potential roofing scams. These types of scams typically occur when crooked contractors take advantage of the naiveté of the consumer. The best way to avoid falling victim is to have several contractors view your home. If you find that they’re all giving you the same estimate for repairing or replacing your roof, then chances are they’re giving you a fair estimate.
When selling your home, it’s important to remember that buyers will be looking at the outside of your home just as closely as the inside. It’s also important to remember that your home is just one in a list of many other homes they’re considering. When competing with other homes, it’s attention to the little details that will make your home stand out to buyers.