Improving your home's curb appeal drastically increases the value of your home. We regularly consult with homeowners looking to sell their homes for more, and recommend implementing these curb appeal services. Here are the top 11 curb appeal upgrades to help increase the value of your home.
1. Landscaping
Keeping your lawn well-maintained with regular mowing, edging, and fertilizing is one way to boost curb appeal but if you’re really trying to make a statement, plant colorful flowers, shrubs, and trees to add a unique look to your home. We also recommend mulching garden beds to give a neat and tidy look. Well-designed and well-maintained landscaping done by a professional can increase the value of your home by as much as 10% to 12%. For this type of value increase, expect to pay between $5,000 to $15,000.
2. Front Door
This one is so UNDERRATED, most homeowners don’t realize how much value a bold fresh new front door adds to your home's curb appeal. A simple fresh coat of paint on your front door can make a big impact. You’ll want to choose a bold color that complements the rest of your home. Consider upgrading the hardware as well as this is the first thing someone touches when they enter your home. The average return on investment (ROI) of replacing your entry door is 68.2%, so if you’re wondering if buying a brand new front door is worth it?? Yes it is. In fact, some experts say that a new front door can add up to $24,000 to a house's perceived value.
3. Lighting
Upgrading your home's outdoor lighting to highlight pathways, gardens, and architectural features can drastically increase curb appeal and the value of your home. Lanterns, sconces, or LED fixtures can enhance aesthetics. LED lighting is attractive to many potential buyers and add curb appeal. LED lighting is a highly desirable feature because each light bulb will last significantly longer, are significantly more energy-efficient, and more eco-friendly than regular light bulbs. This helps homeowners (or future buyers) save an average of about $225 each year on utility bills and bulb replacement costs, according to the Energy Saver. Studies show that homes that are energy efficient can net home sellers around 2.7% more than those with homes that aren't considered energy efficient.
4. Exterior Paint
We highly recommend repainting the exterior of your home to add significant curb appeal, especially if it’s looking worn or faded. Depending on how old your home is, you may want to also consider replacing damaged parts of your home’s siding. Updating the color with an up to date color that is desirable and addressing peeling paint can drastically improve the appearance of your home. Studies show that the estimated ROI on an exterior paint job is around 51% while Consumer Reports says that enhancing your home’s exterior, including paint touch-ups, can boost home value by 2-5%.
5. Windows and Shutters
We recommend cleaning your windows inside and out, no one, especially home buyers, want to look outside a dirty window and see black gunk in between the cracks, let alone touch it! Cleaning your windows and updating shutters can enhance the home’s architectural features and add to its curb appeal. If your windows have failed and/or you have the budget to replace them, experts estimate that you can get an 85% return on investment for installing new windows in your home. Depending on the windows and how high-end you wanna go, expect to pay anywhere between $200-$1,500 per window.
6. Gutters and Downspouts
Although new gutters don’t really add much to a home’s curb appeal, make it a routine to keep your gutters clean and in good condition especially in Washington state where we have a ton of trees. They can get clogged and damage your home.. Nothing screams an old house when you see gutters sagging on a home. Also new gutters are NOT cheap, Gutter installation costs homeowners an average of $3,900 for standard aluminum gutters, with a typical cost range of $2,300–$6,000 for 200 linear feet. Clean them gutters!
7. Walkways and Driveway
A solid way to add value to your home's curb appeal would be to repair any cracks or damage in your driveway and walkways. Adding borders or paving stones creates a polished look to the home. This outdoor space is the third-most-prioritized feature for homebuyers. When it comes to your driveway, having a professional paver revive your driveway can bring a return on investment of 109% and curb appeal!
8. Porch and Entryway
Some quick and simple things you can do to add instant curb appeal without breaking the bank would be to add a new doormat, some potted plants, and/or outdoor furniture to make the entryway more inviting. Ensure that the area is well-lit and clean. Most home buyers will have an emotional draw to the home and could envision their family living there when it looks inviting to the eye.
9. Roof
That roof will be seen as a buyer approaches the house and a well maintained roof is essential to the curb appeal of a home. If the roof is in poor condition, consider repairs. A well-maintained roof not only enhances curb appeal but also protects your home. Hopefully you’re not in a position where you need to replace the entire roof as it does not bring in a 100%+ return on investment, but it will significantly improve the likelihood of a faster sale as most buyers would want this addressed in an inspection. Consider color matching shingles that need replacement and give it a good pressure wash to remove any moss build up. A new roof can increase the value of a home by anywhere from 5% to 20%
10. Fencing
Fencing is an important factor to a home's curb appeal. Buyers want separation between homes and oftentimes request a fully fenced home when they are buying brand new homes. To improve the curb appeal of your home, consider repairing or replacing any damaged fencing. Like roofs, you'll want to maintain these as the ROI is not 100%. According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report, homeowners can expect a return on investment of about 70% for a new fence. A fresh coat of paint or stain on a fence will make a drastic impact on your home's curb appeal. If your fence is in terrible shape, consider replacing it. New fencing will run you anywhere between $1,000-$10,000.
11. Clean Up
As for our final recommendation, deep cleaning will add the cherry on the top to the curb appeal of your home. Remove clutter, such as old garden tools, broken planters, or unsightly trash cans. A clean and organized front yard immediately improves the appearance. Walk around the house and make sure it’s spotless, as a dirty home can impact the psychology of a buyer's perception of your home.
Conclusion
We would highly recommend implementing all of these curb appeal strategies to make your home more attractive, inviting, and/or you’re looking to sell it for more. Whether you're preparing to sell or simply enjoy a refreshed look, if you are in the market to sell your home, feel free to reach out to us for a free home consultation as we are experts in getting homeowners top dollar on the market and have an in-house team that can do this all for you at a good price.
