Are you hoping to turn a profit when you decide to sell your current abode?
One look at the latest Realtor cost-vs-value report reveals that exterior home improvements deliver the best ROI on your investment.
So if you want to boost your home’s curb appeal, attract more homebuyers, and get the biggest bang for your buck, read on.
These are the exterior home renovation projects that tick all the boxes.
1. Soup Up Your Siding
Siding dominates your home’s exterior, so it’s a good place to start working on curb appeal.
Replacing old, dilapidated siding with new steel siding will add enormous value to your home’s appearance and increase its price.
Yet there are some cheaper ways to set your siding straight.
The most common problems with siding are gaping, warping, and sagging. A good contractor can fix these issues quickly and affordably.
Other issues like faded or dirty siding only take a few hours of work to remedy on your own.
You can power-wash or paint your siding to give your home the fresh-faced appeal you’re looking for.
2. Refresh Your Paint Job
Refreshing your siding’s one of the ways a coat of paint can help refresh your home’s exterior.
A coat of paint can bring new life to your front door, your mailbox, your window frames, and your light fixtures.
It’s important to research the latest trending colors and ideas for exterior paint jobs before you get started.
Using the most popular shades of paint can win favor with fashion-conscious homebuyers.
Painting your home’s one of the easiest and most affordable home renovations to boost your home’s curb appeal.
3. Add Accents
Siding and painting are also one of the best ways to add eye-catching accents to your home’s exterior.
Bold colored accents are a hot trend in home design right now.
While painting your home, consider using a contrasting color on your front door, trim, shutters, or decorative woodwork.
Make sure the colors you choose don’t clash with what’s already there and don’t get carried away.
Accent colors lose their impact when they’re overdone.
When it comes to siding, you could opt for metal shingles, contrasting panels, and decorative trim as accents.
A band of stone veneer around the bottom of your house adds an instant element of luxury to your home’s facade.
4. Pimp Your Porch
Updating your porch or adding a new one adds a welcoming ambiance to your home.
Repair any sagging or broken balustrading. Paint the whole thing and refurbish the wooden deck of your porch.
Container plantings and hanging baskets are a charming addition to any porch, as are a seating area, hammock, or chair swing.
Updating your porch lighting improves your home’s security.
You can also create a symmetrical look by installing lights on either side of your front door.
5. Make a Grand Entrance
A cracked, weed-filled driveway’s one of the first things passers-by or prospective buyers will notice about your house.
If you’re replacing your driveway, some of the top materials to consider include concrete, chip seal, or gravel.
These are all attractive and hardy options that will last for years with little maintenance.
Often, a little TLC’s all a driveway needs to get back to looking its best.
Start by washing it with a power hose, remove weeds, and fill in any cracks.
Planting some flowers or shrubs along the edge of your driveway’s another attractive fix that creates an organized, cared-for look.
If you have a concrete driveway, you could also consider resurfacing it to save on costs.
6. Install New Garage Doors
New garage doors top the list of value-added home improvements year upon year.
Always consider your home’s design when installing garage doors.
Another big consideration when it comes to garage doors is the materials they’re made from.
Wood’s a timeless classic, and aluminum’s a low-maintenance option, while composite materials and stell are strong and appealing.
Modern-day garage doors include cost and time-saving features like remote controls, insulation, and automated access controls.
You’ll find a huge range of garage doors available to choose from nowadays, from different colors to garage door openers.
So, it’s important to discuss your options with a garage door contractor so that you can choose one that’s ideal for your home.
7. New Roofing Sells Homes
Your roof’s another eye-catching feature of your home, so make sure it always looks it best.
Keep your gutters clear, get any leaks repaired promptly, and know when it’s time to say goodbye.
New roofing delivers a high ROI when it comes to cost versus value.
After all, which prospective buyer wouldn’t relish the thought of avoiding roof repair and replacement for 10 years or more?
If you are considering replacing your roof, make sure you choose a top-notch contractor for the job.
Roof replacement’s an expensive fix, so you want to make sure it lasts.
A roofing company recommendation from the Better Business Bureau’s a good indication that you’ve found a reputable contractor.
8. Upgrade Your Windows
Painting isn’t always an effective fix for small, outdated window frames. Modern trends lean towards larger windows.
If you’re considering replacing your windows, these are some of your top choices:
- Double-hung windows
- Bay or Bow windows
- Sliding windows
- Casement windows
Be sure to choose a style that suits your home when deciding on new windows.
You can look for similar homes on the internet and see what looks good, or take a walk around your neighborhood to see what catches your eye.
Double glazing and window tinting are good options for energy efficiency.
9. Add New Shutters
Most homes have the same old non-functional shutters.
Add some class and style to your home by replacing these with modern options.
Country and mid-century style shutters are trending right now and can do a lot to enhance your home’s curb appeal.
Be sure to choose a style that complements your home’s exterior style.
Choosing shutters in a bold contrasting color is another way to add an accent feature to your home.
10. Landscaping Tips for Curb Appeal
Cleaning up your garden’s one of the quickest, easiest, and most effective home improvement ideas.
Keep your shrubs neatly trimmed, remove weeds regularly, and rake up any fallen leaves often.
A neatly mowed lawn’s a delight, and realtors believe that a lawn care service delivers one of the highest ROI’s around.
Container plants are a quick fix and they’re easy to care for, which can add appeal for prospective homeowners who want an easy-care garden.
Another thing to consider is planting water-wise specimens, especially if you live in a drought-prone area.
A garden path helps break up your green expanses of lawn and draws the eye towards your front door.
Ground pavers and stepping stones both work well to create a welcoming aesthetic.
Other attractive garden assets include seating areas, water features, and stone sculptures.
11. Add a Fence
Fences add plenty of value to a property.
Depending on the style you choose, they can increase your privacy, boost security, and provide a barrier for pets and children.
A fence also provides a clear delineation of your boundaries and helps your house stand out in a neighborhood where fences are a rarity.
12. Install Solar Panels
Solar panels are hardly a decorative feature and their main appeal lies inside your house.
However, they do send a clear signal to onlookers.
A solar panel installation on your home’s roof shows that savings are in store when someone buys your house and can seal the deal for prospective homebuyers.
How to Pay for Home Renovations
Some home renovation costs can seem daunting at first.
The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to do everything at once.
You can DIY many exterior improvements at an affordable price, and only need to hire contractors for the bigger jobs.
Unless you want to sell your home fast, or you have a serious problem like a leaking roof, you can save up for most of the big-ticket items over time.
If you want to apply for credit, most banks offer good rates on personal loans for home improvements.
You could also refinance your mortgage, use a credit card, or apply for a government loan.
Get More Out of Your Exterior Home Renovation
Apart from increasing the value of your home, these home renovation ideas can help increase your desire to spend more time outdoors, and pave the way to more fun family interactions.
An exterior home renovation is only one way to make your world a better place though.
Check out my website for more tips on how to make your life easier and more enjoyable.