All homeowners want the value of their property to appreciate over time, but very few understand what pushes a house’s market value. Sometimes it’s the simplest modifications that bring the best results. It also pays to work on things people will see first when they get to your home. This is why exterior projects are usually winners with most buyers. Let’s take a look at some outdoor upgrades that will boost your property’s value.
Getting a New Roof
If your roof is nearing the end of its life, getting a new one will both increase your home’s value and make it more attractive to buyers. Most will love the idea of not having to think about the roof for the next few years. How much value it will add will also depend on where you live.
If you live somewhere that gets a lot of heavy winds or rain, or somewhere that deals with heavy snow like the Minneapolis area, then you can expect to get an even greater boost. If you happen to live there, we would also suggest you contact your realtors. Speaking with local realtors is the best way to know the exact needs of your market.
Get New Siding
New siding is another feature people having to deal with extreme climates will appreciate. It automatically projects the image of a well-maintained home. This is one of the costliest modifications on this list, but the one that could have the strongest visual impact.
Fire Features
Too many people think of water features for a backyard, but what about fire? Water features, believe it or not, can actually lower the value of your home because of the perceived maintenance issues. Fire features, on the other hand, require much less maintenance and are appreciated by most. As a matter of fact, one survey found that 83% of homeowners who had a fire pit installed felt like spending more time at home as a result.
Get New Doors
Doors can have a surprisingly strong effect on a buyer’s psyche. You should consider changing both your front door and your garage door if you want to instantly increase your home’s value. You could get almost all of your money back on a new garage door, and doing something as simple as changing the color of your front door could add thousands to your asking price.
Improve Your Lawn
A poorly maintained lawn will send red flags flying for most prospective buyers. Making sure that your lawn is lush and green is one of the easiest ways to make your house more attractive and valuable. Sodding is the simplest way to get there, but the costliest. If your lawn is still salvageable, implement a lawn care program. It should include weekly or bi-weekly mowing, fertilizing, annual aeration, and overseeding.
These are all great options if you want to give your house a fresh new look while boosting its value. They don’t have to cost an arm either, so go for those that fit within your budget.
