You’re not ready to sell your home now, but you will when the time comes. Until then, you will have to think about what enhancements to opt for that will justify a higher asking price in addition to rising real estate values in your area. Along with plans to remodel bathrooms and the kitchen, which always guarantee hefty returns, you should also think about exterior upgrades that do more than attract buyers who are willing to match your asking price.
However, it pays to be cautious when it comes to choosing and implementing curb appeal improvements you think could increase your home’s resale value. The reality is that not all of these possible improvements could translate to a hefty return.
There’s a good chance that you will unknowingly go for projects that can do more to reduce your home’s resale value than increase your potential returns. Here’s a list of curb appeal projects you can undertake safely that will lead to a higher price once the right time for selling comes around:
1. Go for a Landscaping Overhaul
A good curb appeal improvement is best started with your landscaping. Look to it for high resale potential, considering that most buyers are willing to put in offers within and around your asking range. Once you list your home, there’s a high chance that it will immediately receive high-value offers on account of how well the landscaping looks. After all, people will assume at once that the property itself is well-maintained, and you’ve put in a lot of work to justify a high asking price.
As you look towards improving your home’s landscaping, make sure to keep the front lawn well-nourished by adding fresh mulch and trimming the grass to an optimal height. Planting extra vegetation around the property is also a good idea, as most high-end buyers prefer homes with lots of greenery. You may also want to refurbish walkways and driveways to create extra outdoor spaces. In that case, you may have to rely on professional landscaping and interlocking service for recommendations that will make the most of your time and money.
2. Freshen Up the Exterior Structure
Keep in mind that your landscaping isn’t the end-all and be-all of your home’s curb appeal. It’s the main structure itself that should be highlighted. Exterior structural and aesthetic improvements should focus on giving your home an updated look, making it seem as though it has been kept in pristine condition for decades.
This would mean fixing your entire roofing system, especially if its underlying framework has been subject to water and termite damage. Don’t just fix what’s on the surface, as such issues could still be major deal-breakers once they’re disclosed during a negotiation.
You should also consider repainting your home’s exterior with a new coat of the same color or a new hue. Especially if you have owned the property for more than ten years, evidence of age will manifest through the chipping, fading, and peeling of the previous paint layer.
You just have to make sure you’re choosing a neutral coat, such as beige or white. When done right, these structural and aesthetic improvements will convince home buyers of the effort you put into maintaining the property and making sure it endures the test of time.
3. Construct a Deck
This home improvement project may set you back thousands of dollars, but the expense is well worth it. If you don’t have one already, a deck is a desirable exterior feature, pushing high-end buyers to match your asking price. That’s because a deck serves as an extension of the main structure’s outdoor living space, offering possibilities for turning it into a venue for intimate gatherings and even an additional space for storing flower boxes and other decorations.
So long as you have enough in your home improvement budget, a deck could be a good enhancement to your home’s curb appeal. You just need to make sure that it’s at the right size. As you do so, determine how big a deck your home should have by looking at other properties being listed on the local market. From there, you will have to decide the kind of material you will want to use. Natural wood is always a popular option, but more durable ones like PVC panels are just as appealing to buyers who want nothing more than extra outdoor spaces.
4. Freshen Up the Garage
The garage is considered an essential part of your home’s curb appeal, so it shouldn’t be left out of any major exterior renovation you’ve planned out. A garage that looks poorly maintained and falls short of modern aesthetic standards could be a major deal breaker, even if you poured the bulk of your resources toward upgrading the main structure. Considering that the garage door is the largest entryway that buyers see first, you wouldn’t want to single it out from your home improvement efforts.
Opt to refurbish your garage in a way that aligns with the upgrades you’ve made on the rest of the exterior. Clean the driveway using a pressure washer or replace it with durable pavers that match your walkway. It’s also important to replace the roofing and garage door with more durable and modern-looking materials. You might also want to add exterior lights that will accentuate your home’s form, allowing it to stand out even at night.
Endnote
You might not be planning on listing your home for sale this year, but until then, you have plenty of time to improve its curb appeal. Begin with these essentials so you will get a good return and fuel your next purchase.
