6 Great Tips to Enhance Curb Appeal

Adding value to your home can come from many different options. From laying new sod, adding greenery and shrubs, to painting the shutters. All changes to your home will not only add curb appeal, but also help to raise the equity and value of your home tremendously if done right.

Read below for six tips on how to add value to your home by sprucing up your curb appeal.

Tip #1:

Landscaping is of the utmost importance when it comes to curb appeal for your home. The first thing people will have the pleasure of seeing when they come to an open house at your home will be the grass, trees, and color from flowers blooming. You can add value by laying new sod to brighten up the lawn, plant some new colorful flowers to add that beautiful pop of color and help keep the cost of cooling and heating down by planting trees.

Tip #2:

Liven up the dull exterior of your home by freshening up the look of iron rails, hose holders, house numbers, mailbox and light fixtures with a can of spray paint. Adding a fresh coat of paint will help make your home look fresh and new and give you the curb appeal you’re looking for. Make sure to prep the area before you add new paint, by doing so, the paint will hold correctly. Protect your new look by adding a coat of sealant after as well, you don't want it looking old again in a few months.

Tip #3:

Another inexpensive improvement would be to add that pop of color by painting your front door, the trend these days is to have a stunning slick black door. Painting the door is a cheap way to upgrade your curb appeal and make you stand out in the neighbourhood. Add some personality to your home’s facade! Match it with some matching door decorations like a new wreath to make it feel warm and inviting from the outside.

Tip #4:

Give your home a bath! Pressure wash the exterior from top to bottom. Start at the top with the fascia and work your way down to the foundation. Make sure to not forget the windows and screens. Pay special attention to the driveway or walkways and remove any oil stains, tire marks, or stains that stand out to you. I would suggest this step is done before painting, and after lawn work. REALTORS® say washing a house can add upwards of $10k to $15k to the sale price of some homes. Pressure washers can be rented by the day from home improvement stores such as Lowes, or Home Depot.

Tip #5:

Give your driveway some impact! One of the easiest ways to freshen up your driveway, if replacing the entire thing is not an option, is to re-seal it. You can do this on your own pretty easily or have a company come and take care of it for relatively cheap. You may not be able to park on the driveway for a day or two but that's a small price to pay for a brand new looking driveway. It gives an instant impact!

Tip #6:

You have no home without the roof…...so make sure it stays in great condition. Missing, mismatched, faded, or broken shingles/tiles will actually drop the value of your home. Ensure your roof is valued accordingly by replacing any broken, or missing pieces as soon as possible. If you don't have the proper safety equipment, contact a local professional to clean and repair the roof as they will come with the right tools and have the experience to repair it without damaging the roof. Don't put yourself in harm's way.

If you ever have any questions on what you can do to increase your home's value, I would love to chat!