When you’re ready to sell your home, every detail matters – especially the exterior. More specifically, your siding gives people a first impression that sets the tone for how they’ll experience the inside. It also tells potential buyers whether they should worry about future expenses.
A well-maintained exterior indicates that your home has been taken care of and puts buyers at ease. When you upgrade to James Hardie fiber cement siding, you can boost your curb appeal and reassure buyers that your home is durable, and get better offers.
Let’s dive into exactly how and why this upgrade makes sense if you’re selling your home.
1. James Hardie siding delivers durability
If a house looks great but there are signs of impending problems, buyers will subtract money from their offer. Durable siding reduces that risk, and that’s where James Hardie siding shines.
This particular brand of siding is engineered to withstand extreme weather from hot to cold, including fire, water, pests, and storms. Whether your home is regularly hit by hailstorms or coastal humidity, James Hardie siding is a strong selling point.
For starters, it’s non-combustible, and inspectors are more likely to give it the green light. Other materials see persistent issues with termites, rot, and warping, but fiber cement resists pests and harsh weather.
However, it needs to be installed correctly by a James Hardie siding professional. There are best practices that need to be followed for the warranty to hold, and if you skip certified installers, you risk warped boards and moisture intrusion.
Buyers love this type of siding, but they may hesitate if you can’t prove it was professionally installed. Choose your contractor carefully and retain your documentation.
2. You’ll need less maintenance
Compared to wood or vinyl, fiber cement siding needs fewer interventions like painting and pest control. That’s a major selling advantage. Wood is beautiful but it needs to be repainted or restained every few years to protect it from moisture and sun damage. Without constant care, it can crack and warp. It’s also vulnerable to carpenter ants and termites.
Vinyl doesn’t rot, but comes with its own set of problems. It can fade and crack over time from UV exposure, and is prone to warping and melting in extreme heat. In a worst-case scenario, vinyl siding can trap moisture behind the panels.
James Hardie siding avoids nearly all of these issues, and buyers know it. Lower future maintenance costs make a home more appealing and reduce buyer resistance during negotiations. Technically, you’re selling a home with good siding, but you’re actually selling peace of mind.
3. Fiber cement siding increases curb appeal
When a buyer has to scroll through 50 to 100+ houses online, James Hardie fiber cement siding will stand out visually. High-end siding changes the perceived value of your home, even at a glance. When users are scrolling, your photos will catch their attention.
It also helps to identify the brand in your listing so people have a reason to respond. Just mentioning the James Hardie brand can trigger a positive reaction in buyers and agents.
4. Fiber cement siding produces a strong ROI
According to the James Hardie blog, fiber cement siding adds an average of $17,129 to a home’s value based on a 1,250-square-foot project, which brings an ROI of 88.5%. That’s one of the highest returns for all types of siding options. It’s a great way to get more buyers interested and secure better offers.
Calculate whether or not new siding makes sense
While fiber cement siding has some major benefits, it’s also a significant investment. Before you jump in, run some calculations to see if it makes sense for you. For example, research the ROI in your area to see if it’s decent. And if you’re in a hurry to sell, see if a siding project would delay your listing and cost you more than it would recover.
Another thing you can do is look at homes in your neighborhood to see if they have updated, high-end siding. If so, you’ll want to make that upgrade if possible. However, if comparable homes have older siding, your home will stand out and potentially earn a premium. But if your home becomes the only over-built house in the area, the market may not fully reward you.
James Hardie siding can help you get a higher offer
Upgrading to James Hardie siding can be a strategic move before selling your home. By hiring a professional installer, you can position your home to stand out and command higher offers. In a crowded marketplace, high-end siding can be the difference that gets you the sale price you deserve.
