Whether you just bought a new home or have lived in yours for years, home improvement seems to come with the territory. It’s understandable — you want your home to feel like it’s your home, which means matching your tastes. That said, it pays to think about how much resale value any improvement is likely to bring. After all, it’s your biggest investment.
With return on investment in mind, here are five exterior improvements that not only pay you back, they’ll also pay dividends every time you (and the neighbors) gaze at your gorgeous home.
1. Upgrade landscaping — What’s one of the fastest things home makeover shows do to spruce up a house? Put in new plants and lay down fresh mulch. Just a few new flowering plants and shrubs make any home look cared for. And that layer of mulch gives a fresh look that welcomes any buyer at your doorstep.
2. Replace siding — Not only does siding protect your home, it’s one of the top features that contributes to curb appeal. If your siding is damaged, old and worn, replacing it can add significant value. And if you go with natural siding materials like pine, cedar or redwood, you add a boost to your home’s look that any buyer is bound to notice.
3. Install outdoor lighting — More than just a welcome safety feature, exterior lighting gives your home a warm, inviting glow. Landscape lighting highlights architectural details and helps would-be buyers envision relaxing evenings outdoors. The best part? It doesn’t need to be expensive. You can hire a professional to do a simple landscape light plan, or you can go the solar garden light route with a quick trip to your local home improvement store and do it in an afternoon.
4. Paint — Nothing’s faster at improving appearance than a fresh coat of paint. And it’s wonderfully affordable if you do the job yourself. Resale tip: go with popular exterior paint colors like white or off-white, grays or neutrals.
5. Replace old windows — If the eyes are the windows into the soul, then windows are the way to let light and soul-nourishing views into your home. Beyond their beauty, windows also affect your home’s energy efficiency. If yours are old and inefficient, consider meeting both needs at once using wood replacement windows.
These are just some of the top ways you can enhance your home’s curb appeal and value. For other tips on exterior improvements and interior design ideas visit wood-naturally.com.
This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.