Putting your house on the market marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one with promise of opportunity. The selling process goes more smoothly and can be very satisfying with proper planning, especially if that leads to securing top dollar at the time of sale. By putting some focused attention toward improving the home’s exterior, you are far more likely to secure a better price during negotiations as the seller.
Install a New Roof (If the Current One Needs Replacing)
Of the home improvements that can increase your home’s value, a new roof is among the top ones on the list. A large portion of the costs for installing the roof are ones you can recoup at the time of sale, as per recent research on remodeling impact. That makes sense, given that a worn roof can really age the look of a house and also because the new buyer knows they won’t have to spend more money on a new roof soon after moving in. That makes it a leading consideration as you get your property ready for sale, if the current roof is more than 90 percent through its lifespan.
Get the Best Lawn in the Neighborhood
Improving your existing lawn helps your property stand out from others on the market for those who come to the open houses and private showings, and who drive by in their cars. Lush green grass helps your home look better and indicates to people that you take care of the rest of the house just as well as you do for the lawn, thus increasing buyer confidence. A well-kept lawn is easier with the proper use of Celsius herbicide to control over 150 kinds of weeds. Along with using the best herbicide, regular mowing and watering are essential, along with adding seed in areas where the grass has begun to thin out.
Tidy Flower Beds and Add Plants
Along with caring for the lawn, also put time into related landscaping activities. If the flowers you planted years ago have seen better days, it might be time to plant new ones or at least tidy up what you have so it looks cleaner. A more inviting appearance for your property from the road can make it more likely that people will want to come see the inside of your house and, potentially, make an offer on it. Choosing a variety of blooms and shrubs can add interest to the home exterior, making for a beautiful garden. Be sure to leave enough space between plants so the garden bed does not look overly crowded.
Paint Your Front Door
If you’ve decided that painting the exterior is too much work and won’t pay off when you sell, consider painting just a particular part of the home instead. Specifically the front door. Doing so can make for a great first impression with little effort required on your part. Consider a bold color to bring attention to the entrance from the street and personality to your house, especially if the rest of the neighbors have neutral colors. It also helps your house stay in the minds of those who are looking at multiple homes for sale in one day. An upbeat yellow shade is one example. Choose paint and primer designed for exterior use, so it is durable and easy to clean.
Update Your Garage Door
Whether your garage door is broken or has an outdated style, renovating it can increase the value of your house. There are a few reasons why, including improving curb appeal. Firstly, as the garage is often located at the front of the home, the upgraded door can really enhance the front of the property. Secondly, the renovation can improve the energy efficiency of the home, which is a great selling point. Finally, with many styles to choose from, including something like a more modern style overhead garage door that neatly tucks itself away when opened, you can find something that perfectly matches your property. In contrast, an outdated door can make the entire exterior of the house look older. Just as you painted the front door, you might also paint the garage door for added visual appeal.
Exterior Cleaning: Windows, Gutters, Driveway, and Siding
A step that some people forget when preparing the outside of the home for sale is to clean the windows. Outside and inside, doing so helps more natural light stream inside, making the interior look brighter and bigger to potential buyers walking around. Plus, dirty windows are off-putting. As for cleaning gutters, that gives the exterior look tidier, as does pressure washing the driveway and siding. Of course, make sure that the PSI of the pressure washer is not too strong for the type of siding you have, or you risk damaging it. PSI is the intensity of the pressure that the machine sprays. For example, vinyl siding can withstand a more powerful PSI than aluminum siding.
Fix Your Sprinkler System (or Risk Repair Price Being Deducted from Sale Price)
A house with an irrigation system is great because it makes lawn care easier. But if yours is broken, be sure to fix it before the sale or risk the price of the repair being deducted from the house price by buyers who will state that they have to pay for it after moving in. Make sure it works properly by running all the zones and taking the time to replace sprinkler heads, risers, and other damaged parts. A properly functioning sprinkler system can add value to the home. Hiring a local sprinkler system repair service can ensure the job is done quickly and correctly, giving you peace of mind before listing your home. With that said, if you do not have one, installing one now likely isn’t worth it as you are probably not going to get that cost back when selling the property.
Renovate Your Porch
A well-maintained porch adds curb appeal, so renovating it makes sense before listing the home. It could be as simple as a new coat of paint or sealing the floorboards. You might also consider sanding it. Of course, whether you renovate the deck before selling depends on many factors, including your budget and how competitive the market is at the time. The steps you take might also be adding planters with brightly colored flowers to add beauty to the space, as well as furniture, such as an outdoor couch. What you are doing is extending the living space of the home, making a front or back porch look like a great place to entertain or relax.
What Else to Do? Look at Local Listings
If you’re considering other updates to the home exterior but aren’t sure which ones make sense, ask your realtor or look at real estate listings in your area. Are other homes doing the renovations that you’re planning to do? Will doing this project help your property stand out from others that are for sale locally? Will this reno give my home the wow factor? The answers will help you gauge what makes sense to do and what updates might not give you a good return on investment.
Concluding Words on Updating Your Home Exterior Before Sale
Before listing your home, consider the above-mentioned points for how to improve its exterior, from removing weeds in the lawn to replacing the garage door. While this guide focuses on the outside of the home, be sure to spend an equal amount of time updating the interior, too. Take the time to declutter the inside of the house, as well, to make it look more spacious. Your efforts will be well worth it when you get more money at the point of sale.