First impressions are critical, and little impacts someone’s perception of your home quite like its outside appearance. If you are trying to sell your home, then you owe it to yourself to max out your curb appeal and do everything you can to ensure that shoppers’ first look at your property makes them go “wow!” Early summer is a great time of year to make improvements to your home’s exterior: not only is prime real estate season (summer) about to kick into full swing, but most homeowners are still flush with the proceeds of their income tax returns. Consider a few relatively simple and inexpensive projects that will make tons of difference in how your home looks on the outside.
The first potential project on your to-do list? Taking a hard look at the condition of the most important door in your house: the front door. You’d be amazed how much your front door functions as the “eyes” of your home; an instantly-noticeable feature. Buying a brand-new, energy-efficient door is a potential tax write-off for next year, and could make a world of difference in curb appeal. If your current door is in pretty sturdy shape, consider sprucing it up with new hardware: knobs/handles, knockers, and locks. It will give your home a fresh, updated look!
Another great project on which to invest is better lighting around the outside of your home. Not only does exterior lighting put a nice emphasis on your walkways and landscaping, but it also makes your home more secure. You could add motion-sensor lights or spring for lighting fixtures that you can put on a timer to go on after sundown. This way, your home will look as bright and inviting at night as it does during the day.
What state is your garage door in? You’ll notice that we’re not asking about what’s inside the garage; but rather the garage door(s) itself. A new garage door will only set you back a couple of thousand dollars, but it will make a world of difference in curb appeal. You might not mind that dented, slightly-rusted garage door, but it’s a guarantee that your potential buyers will.
Our last suggestion for amping up your outdoor appeal? Add a deck or patio. It doesn’t cost that much, and it’s almost like adding another room to your house. Buyers LOVE outdoor living space. Give them a place to enjoy some sunshine, and your house will look a lot more appealing.
No matter which project(s) you choose, making your home’s exterior a priority during the coming summer months will only pay off for you in the end. Whether you are planning to stay in your home for some time and will get to enjoy a prettier place to live, or are trying to sell and want to keep your home competitive in a nice neighborhood, outdoor projects should be something you consider. These improvements need not even cost an arm and a leg, as we’ve shown!
