How to Add Resale Value to your Home' s Exterior

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By Meri Rees
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curb appeal

Spring is the time when perspective home sellers tackle all of the needed projects to get ready to put their home on the market. With so many homes for sale, first appearances can mean a lot. Step back away from your home and try to look at it from a perspective home buyer's vantage point. How is the landscaping? How is the lawn? Does the home show "pride of ownership"? In today's market there are many ways to spruce up the curb appeal of your home, but, keep in mind that some add more than esthetics; some also add greater resale value. Even if you are not thinking about selling in the near future these tips can add value to your home now and in the future.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Camera
Critical Eye
Money to hire contractor or purchase supplies for improvement projects

Step 1

Small things like window boxes or flower beds can add great curb appeal. These can get a home noticed but not necessarily add resale value to your home. Once the small curb appeal issues have been resolved, think "big" for greater resale value .
Step 2

Try to imagine your home with a Bay Window in a bedroom or a Greenhouse Window off of a laundry room. Both will add depth and create a focal point that adds uniqueness that will take away from minor imperfections [like a small room]. Consider choosing a window that is low-maintenance and has an energy star rating for greater appeal.
Step 3

what needs changing?

One of the first things a perspective home buyer will notice is the front door. If there is nothing special about your door try replacing it with a lead glass insert door or adding decorative millwork around the entry door. Sidelights will add sparkle and shine both from the inside as well as the outside of the house. The added light will create space and make a narrow or small entryway seem larger.
Step 4

clean and fresh

Make sure the home looks well cared for. Check the exterior as though you were looking to buy the home. If the home is made of brick have it pressure washed and cleaned. If it is siding have it cleaned. If it needs painting, a fresh coat of paint will make even the oldest house look new.
Step 5

Replace the roof if it is near the end of it's life expectancy. Home owner's don't want to have to invest in large projects right off the bat. Replace it with a low-maintenance roof that can withstand severe weather. Some roofs now come with a 50 year warranty and can withstand hurricanes and severe temperature extremes.
Step 6

Take a good look at the driveway. If it is a blacktop driveway fill any cracks and seal it. If it is a concrete driveway keep it free from stains and acid rain etching by cleaning and sealing it on a regular basis.
Step 7

If the landscaping is out of control you may want to hire a professional landscaper to come in and prune and add colored stone to the landscaping. If the landscaping is over 20 years old you may want to replace it.
Step 8

Lastly, you may want to consider adding a stained glass window or a decorative glass accent window. These can bring in sunlight but still provide privacy. Bathrooms are great candidates for a stained glass replacement window. They add a touch of yesterday as well as elegance giving a perspective home buyer the feel of opulence.

Comments

Upon-Request said

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on 4/20/2009 So many great ideas for adding value to home exteriors!

sunshine11219 said

on 3/26/2009 good ideas

GreenGardenChic said

on 3/25/2009 Great ideas for good curb appeal. Of course I love step 7 the best.

sonni57 said

on 3/25/2009 Nicely done article on how to add value to a homes exterior.

Vanillatte said

on 3/24/2009 Excellent suggestions for adding resale value to your home. Our home is really old. It has the original slate roof which is now 115 years old!!