How to Update the Exterior of a Ranch House

Ranch style home

Updating your home is often necessary to help your house retain its value in a difficult market. Your house will be compared to other, newer homes to establish whether it feels current or whether a new buyer will feel it is necessary to update the home to modern standards. Older ranch style homes often look very similar to each other. A few changes can transform a dated appearance and make the house look well-maintained and modern.

Things You'll Need

• Photographs
• Photocopies
• Tracing paper
• Marker
• Tape
• Color palette
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Establish a budget for updating the exterior of your home. This will give you a benchmark of how extreme or conservative your choices can be throughout the process. Consult with your city planning department or home owner's association to determine if any limitations exist to home improvements in your area.

2. Check out newer subdivisions in your area that have one-story homes. Take photographs of design features that seem to be popular in your area. Note the house colors, the use of different veneers, shutters, niches, different types of roofing, window styles, porch styles and landscaping. Keep in mind that all of these elements work together to create the feeling of a modern and current home.

3. Take photographs of your home on all sides. Enlarge these photographs at a photo copy store to 11- by-17-inch size paper. You want to be able to clearly see the details of your own home.

4. Tape your photocopies on a table. Cover the photocopies with tracing paper. Using your photographs of current and modern homes in your area, draw elements onto the tracing paper. You will quickly note that adding elements such as cultured stone to a facade may completely change the look of your home. Create several different looks and variations that will allow you some expense flexibility. See which design gives you the most curb appeal for the best cost.

5. Get a color palette from your local paint store. This is a collection of paint chips. Identify the most popular local color combinations. Cut up several of the larger paint chips and tape them to your drawing to see which color groups enhance the other changes you have made to your house drawing.

6. Price out the cost to translate your updated design into an exterior renovation. Keep your budget in mind. Choose the most effective and cost-conscious updates. Allow 10 percent for unexpected costs and you are ready to update the exterior of your home.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to a real estate agent who specializes in homes in your area. Ask her about the most important improvements you should make when updating the exterior of your home.

References

• Renovation Design Group: Avoid Pitfalls Of Overbuilding
• Remodeling Center: Ranch Style Home Ideas