You do not have to spend tens of thousands of dollars in order to add value to your home. Some very simple and inexpensive changes can make a big difference on your homes overall appearance both outside and inside.
Let’s start with the outside…
First thing you need to do is have it cleaned. Most homes siding material attracts dirt especially vinyl siding. A home does not need to always be power washed a simple garden hose, light siding brush and good exterior cleaner should do. I clean my homes exterior once per year usually early spring. I especially recommend cleaning the gutters. The overall appearance of your home will amaze you and your neighbors. Now if your home’s exterior has been neglected for a few years you made need a one time jump start with a good power wash but usually not. Also if you have a fence make sure that also has a regular cleaning. The key here would be maintenance cleaning one time per year is all it takes.
Do you have any exterior details on your home? One very dramatic thing you can do that is very inexpensive is add shutters and how about some detail moldings around entry door and crown moldings under your soffits. Exterior detail moldings are a fantastic way to upgrade your home’s exterior.
How is your landscaping? This summer has been brutal so far but make sure the grass is cut regularly. In this extremely hot dry weather my landscaper recommends keeping the grass just a ½” higher than normal to help prevent burning. Make sure you have the edging done a neat and crisp lawn makes a huge difference, and if you do not use mulch in your flower beds make sure you turn the soil weekly keeping the soil loose. Add some simple inexpensive potted plants to your front yard or a few hanging flower baskets and POW that’s a very inexpensive eye grabber.
Okay let’s go inside. First thing is declutter. Ever notice how good you feel after a good spring cleaning your home feels refreshed and you feel proud. Whether it is the family room the kitchen or the master bath organization adds a tremendous feeling of pride. You will even feel good when the garage, the basement and even the attic are neat clean and organized. One way to accomplish this is to go into the cluttered area with a laundry basket and drop in all the clutter and then you can organize away.
If a full kitchen or bathroom remodel is not in your current budget you could add a huge change by simply replacing the hardware on your cabinets, windows and doors, or how about changing your faucets and showerheads to a more water conserving model with a sleek new finish. Fresh new towels and a bath mat might be a good idea too.
There are many great ways to improve the appearance of your home which automatically adds value. These are just a few simple inexpensive things you can do. Of course there is an awesome feeling of pride that goes with home ownership and keeping your home up to date doesn’t always have to be a major remodel.
I live in an area with many charming houses that need a few of your quick fixes. With just a little love you and your neighbors will be living on an even nicer block!
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Paul:
I have a cedar wood fence in the front of my yard. It requires regular painting and maintenance. After many years, the cedar is staring to rot. I am thinking of replacing it with a vinyl fence. What are the pros and cons of moving in that direction?
This is a fantastic post about homedesign.I really enjoyed reading it and have subscribed to your blog’sfeed.
I am about to have my home reappraised. Are there any specific things you recommend to do that will catch the appraiser’s eye and raise the value of your home?
One great question is I am having my home reappraised. Are there any specific things i can do to catch the appraisers eye?
I am not an appraiser,and my understanding is that they have to work within certain guidelines.Of course the obvious things are very simple and fall into the previous blog “Simple Upgrades To Improve Your Homes Value” I can not stress enough clean and neat. The more involved home improvements are items like central air conditioning, new bathrooms, new kitchens,an enhanced front entryway,new windows,finished basement. The list is endless. Of course these improvements require more of an investment.Again I can not stress enough neat and clean . Just put yourself in the appraisers shoes and if the home is neat clean with no clutter and organized it makes the job simply more pleasurable and that will usually be more favorable appraisail.
I just wanted everyone to know that Paul responded to my question immediately. It was very informative and I thank him a great deal considering it is not even a product his company specializes in. So thank you.
Great article with alot of easy fixes for the home. We have lived in our house for 30 years and it needed a face lift. We have recently re-sided and done quite a bit of landscaping. We had put in white vinyl fencing and the biggest problem with it is that it gets really dirty mainly because of the trees hanging over them leaving greenish stains. It is relatively easy to clean as you had said, but it is definitely a eye sore if not done.
Paul, when we were speaking the other day at networking event. You told me you were working on improving the interior of one of neighborhood houses.It sounded impressive. Could you expand a job that you could do but more high end but without breaking the bank.
Paul,
Your blog got me thinking and I decided to take a walk around my house. I was amazed to find that the siding was discolored by green mildrew. A power wash is definitely in order. Thanks for the suggestion.
Paul – Really great advice here! I like your approach of keeping it simple. What advice could you give when looking at replacing entry way doors?
A home begins at the front door. The door must greet all your friends. It makes a lasting impression on all who visit and even all that pass by. It will make the homeowner feel proud everytime they pull up to there home. The Front door is one of the simplist ways to greatly increase the value of any home. It is The Jewel of the home.
An entry door is actually a complete system that all must work together. There are many door companies to choose from and they all can look good however “buyer beware” of something that looks good and is very cheap. The door not only must look awesome it must protect the family from weather and intruders. Alarm systems are good and I have one but I do not want the guy to get in!!! At Crown Craftsmen Carpentry we like a multi-point locking system that Provia doors offers and there 4″ solid oak stiles combined with 20Ga security plate.
Time is running out to take advantage of the goverment incentive. You can receieve up to $1500 tax credit on the purchase of a new energy star rated entry door. Consumers have until December 31st 2010 to take full advantage of this offer.