Homeowners spend a lot of time and energy on improving their home’s interior. Kitchen and bathroom remodels are among the top renovations that people make in an effort to enhance their home’s livability and resale value. In fact Google trends showed that kitchen remodel searches were up 77% between 2020 and 2021. There’s no question that putting your renovation budget towards interior improvements can be beneficial when it comes time to sell. However exterior improvements can be just as lucrative if not more so. Hi I’m Michele Irizarry CEO and Broker of Shore Prime Properties. Throughout the years we have seen home sellers make many changes to the front of their home in order to attract buyers and high quality offers. Please be sure to follow and like Shore Prime Properties on YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook for our weekly content geared towards home buyers and sellers. We also have our very own printed magazine “Good To Be Home” where there are articles just like this covering home decor, DIY tips and recipes. Message us today to be added to our mailing list. Curb appeal is king when it comes to ROI (return on investment) and you don’t have to look too closely to see why.
Curb appeal counts: According to the National Association of Realtors 94% of real estate agents recommend curb appeal improvements before listing a home. But upping your curb appeal isn’t only important for those who plan to sell, it’s crucial for all homeowners. Areas of focus: While architectural changes can make a world of difference you don’t necessarily have to go dramatic when making exterior improvements to your home if you don’t want to or feel that it isn’t needed. Simple changes such as a fresh coat of paint, new lighting fixtures and beautiful landscaping can work wonders.
Painting: There’s virtually nothing that a new coat of paint can’t fix. Painting the home’s exterior has been known to be one of the biggest visual differences and casts the home in a completely new light. If you want to make a nice impression on guests and passers-by, painting your exterior is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to do so.
Hardscaping: Stone pavers for entryways and patios are not only visually appealing but also greatly improve the functionality of a front yard or backyard- especially for homeowners who like to spend time outdoors. If a home’s front door is tucked away or is opposite from the driveway, you can create interest with a stone pathway lined with greenery that leads to the door in the backyard. A paved patio with built-in elements such as a fire pit or retaining wall can help you get more use out of your yard for hosting or relaxing.
Landscaping: The right kind of landscaping draws the eyes up and frames the house. It is one of the best investments you can make for your home in terms of return. However the key is to ensure that landscaping that you choose is a good fit for your home and the surrounding area. It’s also important to be mindful of the trees and shrubs that you choose because, for example, if you plant a two foot shrub in front of a window that shrub could grow to five or six feet depending on its type. Choosing native plants and trees can be beneficial too as they will more likely thrive in your environment with minimal upkeep and will look more natural.
Maintenance Matters: The last and most important part of improving your home’s curb appeal is to ensure that you maintain it. Anyone can repaint their home’s exterior plant, trees and flowers and install a new front door. However if you don’t work to keep up with the improvements that you’ve made your curb appeal and its value will suffer if you’re not much of a home improvement aficionado or don’t have the time to put towards lawn care. Hiring a contractor can help you get the most bang for your buck when it comes to keeping your exterior maintained. Set a schedule to keep up with for the small tasks such as trimming back trees and shrubs, pulling weeds and pressure washing walkways and pay particular attention to your front door and entryway keep the pathway to the door free of leaves and debris and make sure that the door is clean and there are no chips in the paint. The same goes for maintaining the paint job on your window trim and shutters. Pay attention to improvements that you feel will make the biggest difference for your household if you’re keen on spending time in the backyard. A new patio and garden could be life-changing updates if you’re not a fan of cutting the grass. Implementing more hardscape can eliminate the surface area that you have to cut and if your home is one of the oldest in your neighborhood, modern improvements might help you feel more comfortable and at home there. On the other hand you shouldn’t allow what’s popular or trendy in your area to completely sway the decisions you make when it comes to your curb appeal. Focus on balancing your own personal tastes and needs with what will look best and appeal to future buyers but don’t sacrifice your style to do so.
Never underestimate the value good exterior design can have on your home when it comes to curb appeal improvements. A little bit goes a long way and can dramatically increase your quality of life and the satisfaction that you have in your home. For advice on how to spruce up your home’s curb appeal and potential ROI when it comes time to sell reach out to us here at Shore Prime Properties. I’m Michele Irizarry selling prime real estate at the Jersey Shore.
