“You can’t judge a book by its cover.” How many times have you heard that? The fact is, though, even though we shouldn’t judge things by what they look like on the outside, we do.
When it comes to a home that’s for sale, potential homebuyers often rule out or include a particular house in their search simply based on outside appearances. This brings up the question: “What exterior home improvements can I make to add value to my home?” Whether you’re seeking to sell your home now, or think you might in the future, this is an important question to answer.
4 exterior home improvements that add resale value
With future resale in mind, it’s helpful to know which types of exterior remodeling projects could bring the highest return on investment. Here are some of the best to consider:
- Exterior cosmetic changes: Sometimes, all that’s needed on the outside are a few cosmetic updates. If the outside walls are structurally sound, a fresh coat of paint or new siding could make a huge difference in the overall first impression of your home. In fact, changes like this often boast a return on investment of around 95%. That means that you’ll potentially recoup 95% of the money you put into the project when your home sells.
- Structural upgrades: If paint and siding aren’t enough, consider updating the front entryway. After all, you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Walking up to and inside the front door often colors people’s view of the entire home. Make sure it’s inviting by removing anything that would detract from the overall look. This might include a sagging porch, worn awnings on windows or doors, and rotting boards on an entry deck. Do you have a porch that’s in good structural condition? Consider adding columns or a pergola to enhance its character.
- Decks, porches, and patios: Outdoor sitting and entertaining areas like these can be a huge attraction to potential homebuyers. When you spend the extra money to add a deck, porch, or patio to your home, you can see a potential ROI of about 90%. Pair that with an outdoor kitchen and your home will exude style and function that’s sure to make a great first (and second) impression.
- Landscaping: A professionally designed landscape can tie together all of the exterior home improvements mentioned above. Just picture how a perfectly landscaped front walk could lure visitors to your newly updated entryway. Then, imagine your backyard patio and outdoor kitchen being surrounded by plants that add color, texture, and privacy. All of these factors come together to make your home an inviting and comfortable place to be. As your general contractor, we work with local landscape companies to design and build the landscape that best matches your home and surroundings.
Going beyond exterior remodeling
Giving the outside of your home a facelift is a great place to start. But, if you really want to add significant resale value, consider some interior remodeling as well. Check out our blog on the Top 5 Value Added Interior Remodeling Upgrades and you’ll have a better idea of which inside projects to focus on to get the most out of your investment.
At Sea Pointe, we believe in helping each client to get the most out of their home remodeling both now and in the future. Give us a call at (949) 861-3400 to set up an appointment to discuss your next interior or exterior remodeling project.