Updating your home’s exterior is an excellent way to improve curb appeal and value while also boosting pride of ownership. Exterior upgrades can be expensive in many cases, so you understandably want to ensure that the repairs that you make are worthwhile. Depending on the updates that you make, you may be able to recoup most of the cost of the upgrade when the time comes to sell the home. As you plan for upgrades to your home’s exterior, follow these tips to see a more substantial boost in property value.
Choose Timeless Materials
The materials on the exterior of your home as well as on the patio, walkways and other surfaces make a bold statement about the quality and condition of the interior. They also set the tone for curb appeal and may impact whether buyers are interested in your home in the future. When you choose trendy or fragile materials, you risk having to deal with an outdated or damaged exterior in a few years. A better idea is to choose timeless materials, such as sandstone and other natural stones.
Strive for Universal Appeal
Even when you choose suitable materials, your updates must have broad, long-lasting appeal if you want to recoup more of the cost later when you sell the home. Buyers must find the exterior appealing and advantageous rather than as a negative element that they want to replace when they move into the home. Consider looking at designs and styles in your area that have broad appeal and that also seem timeless or classic rather than trendy.
Think about Maintenance Needs
When you spend time and effort updating your home’s exterior, you want it to continue to look amazing for many years. In order to recoup value, proper maintenance is essential. Some materials are much more difficult and expensive to maintain than others. For example, some types of siding never require new paint and may only need to be power-washed. Other types of siding may need to be sanded and painted periodically. This factor should be researched carefully before you make any significant updates to your home.
Updating your home’s exterior is a wonderful idea, but your updating plans should be completed based on careful research and planning. When you keep these tips in the back of your mind during the planning stage, you can make smart decisions that can pay off many years down the road.
