By Darin Windham, Realtor
Keyfinders Group RE/Max Alliance
For any homeowner looking to put their house on the market, there are several things you can do to appeal to more buyers, and they don’t necessarily have to be interior improvements.
Curb appeal entices buyers before they even enter your home. For starters, attractive landscaping implies that you maintain your home. In fact, a 2022 survey of HomeLight’s top agents found that on average, buyers will pay 7 to 10% more for a house with great curb appeal compared to one with a neglected exterior.
You don’t have to invest a lot, either. Basic yard care, such as cutting the grass, fertilizing the lawn, and controlling weeds, costs about little, but can produce a big return on investment.
Here are a few other ways to make the outside of your home stand out.
• Replace an exterior front door
Statistics show that replacing an existing entry door with a metal one can definitely
improve your resale value. Buyers appreciate the energy efficiency, low maintenance, and cold-blocking powers of metal.
• Replace your garage door
Is your garage door maybe looking a little dirty on the outside or making strange noises? Or the style is now dated compared to what your neighbors have? A new garage door is also likely to be worth the investment. According to research, top agents say a new garage door costs an average $1,200 but can triple the cost in resale value.
• Update your mailbox and house numbers
Believe it or not, small touches like this really grab buyers’ attention. If you have a beautiful home, but you have a dented-up old mailbox, buyers might pull up and think, “OK, what’s the inside look like if they can’t even replace a mailbox?”
• Touch up or re-do your exterior paint
You don’t have to repaint your whole house to make it look new again, especially if you’re on a budget. Just touch up any flaking or chipped paint or paint the front door and trim. According to most surveys, buyers prefer white or brown for the front door, but designers often recommend a bold color such as powder blue or forest green, against neutral exterior.
Painting the whole exterior can cost an average of about $3,000, depending on where you live and the home’s existing condition, HomeAdvisor says. But you’re likely to add up to $10,000 in resale value with a new coat of exterior paint. So, if your home needs it, don’t hesitate to invest in this project.
Also consider pressure washing the exterior to remove dirt and mold. Pressure or power wash the sidewalk, driveway, patio, or deck too for a complete refresh. On average this is a very inexpensive cost, and can make the entire exterior of your home look clean and fresh.
• Add a parking spot
If you’re in a city or more crowded area where street parking is at a premium, look into
the possibility of adding a concrete parking pad. You can have this done in most areas for around $1,000. This can be a big upgrade for not very much cost.
These are just a few ideas that can add value to your home, and give it that “curb appeal” that stands out to prospective buyers!
Darin can be contacted at 256-652-9032 or darin@keyfindersgroup.com
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