Increasing your home’s value doesn’t require a complete overhaul or renovation. In fact, by boosting your home’s front and backyard for some “curb appeal,” you’re not only more likely to get potential buyers through the door, but also close a sale. Give your home a welcoming, polished look that everyone can appreciate— and entice home seekers without breaking your budget. If you’re ready to take on some outdoor projects that will make a huge difference, we’ve compiled four simple ways you can increase your home’s value. If your looking for a way to expand your budget, consider obtaining a home equity loan to finance your landscaping endeavors.
Dress Up the Front Door
A recent study by door manufacturer Therma-Tru found that upgrading the front door of a $190,000 home actually increased its value by almost $8,000. Prices for new front doors start at about $2,500, giving you the opportunity to make back triple of what you spend. Replacing or painting your current entryway door is a great place to start and an easy weekend project to tackle. If painting seems more manageable, go for a bright color— something that will pop from the curb. If your home has shutters or a faded trim, now is the time to revamp these items as well. Keep such features as the trim and shutters neutral to compliment the new color of your front door. Seek inspiration online and get ideas on varying color schemes.
Trim, Plant and Beautify
Is your front yard looking a bit drab? Mix things up with an array of colorful flowers, potted plants and a shiny new mailbox. If you currently have some greenery in your yard, ask yourself if it is worth keeping around. Perhaps they would benefit from a nice grooming or trim. If you’re starting from scratch, make sure you do some research and learn what types of flowers, shrubs or trees are best suited for your climate. Check out your local nursery or home improvement store for ideas and suggestions around seasonal plants. Succulents are not only a popular choice for your lawn but also incredibly low maintenance, ideal for spring and summer weather. Consider introducing a raised garden bed or window boxes for a more subtle aesthetic.
Entertainment and Additions
When it comes to selling your property, the backyard is one of your home’s biggest selling points. If you’ve neglected this area of your home, it’s time to give it some time, love and care. For buyers with small children, grass is preferred over stone, slate or rocks. Create a space the entire family can enjoy by adding a gazebo or pergola, complete with a built-in BBQ or a portable fire pit. If your home currently has a pool or spa, perhaps now is the time to think about having it replastered. If you do not currently have a pool or spa, and have been thinking about putting one in, this is the perfect opportunity to increase your homes value. Offer homebuyers a place to store their tools or home items by putting up a storage shed. Both simple and cost effective, shed’s are a great option for homes with limited garage space.
White Picket Fence
Nothing says “welcome home” quite like a shiny, white picket fence. Rid your yard of that dated, weathered fence you currently have with something new and improved. Privacy is an important component of a perfect yard, so maybe it’s time to think about installing something taller. Fences also provide more security. Something durable like stone or cinderblock can offer home buyers piece of mind. When it comes to the front yard, make sure your fence doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Check with your home owners association, if you have one, to understand all the rules and obligations before purchasing a fence. Keep it simple and manageable and remember that often times less is more.
Keeping the landscaping neat and tidy doesn’t have to cost a fortune but it sure does boost curb appeal. I just finished our landscaping and completed the entire project on my own. I’ve had so many compliments and I’m proud because I put so many hours into making it clean, trim but simple. I don’t want to have a garden full of weeds every year so I spent a day digging all the roots out before laying new sod. I put down weed barrier on top of where I added rocks, mulch, hostas and other bushes. Easy fixes and keeping it simple.
I agree. As long as it looks clean it doesn’t how elaborate your landscaping is.
I second what Mr cBB said. Even just keeping it well maintained goes a LONG way. We dont do anything crazy but it looks so much better than a lot of our neighbors just because we spend the time edging our lawn and stufff. We didnt replace oir door but painted it and looks much better. Good post 🙂
It’s crazy how much a front door can change the feel of the home.
I like landscaping primarily because you get so much bang for your buck. The tradeoff is a lot of sweat. I recently helped a friend install underground sprinklers and lay all new sod in his yard. It cost approximately $1,500 – $2,000 for the entire project. Landscaping companies charge upwards of $10,000 for a similar project.