Dwell :: 4 Curb Appeal Facelifts That Add Value to Your Home

Curb appeal is the aesthetic goal of homeowners interested in making a good impression. Real estate agents and sellers strive to achieve curb appeal for a quick sale or to simply impress neighbors and guests. While there are many options for homeowners interested in giving the outside of their home a facelift, certain makeovers are certain to add value and pizzazz to your home’s appearance.

Breathe a little life into your yard

Adding visually appealing elements to your yard can be money well spent. Putting plants and flowers in just the right spots so they will thrive and also enhance the aesthetic impact is the difference between picking up a few plants and committing to a landscaping plan that will truly improve your home’s curb appeal for years to come.

Window boxes are an excellent way to introduce some color and warmth to the front of your home. Another way to include flowers into the mix is to add some flower borders at the front of the property in front of a fence or in strategically placed plant beds. It is critical to consider a plant’s current size and how large it will grow to ensure a lasting design element that will stand the test of time.

You’ve got to let the light shine in

Upgrading windows is another highly-recommended way to have a positive impact on the look of your home. Cracked and chipped windows are eyesores that beg to be replaced on the front of any home. From traditional casement windows to custom vinyl double pane windows, there are so many design choices and options available you’re certain to find a style that fits your budget and jazzes up the front of any home. It is also important to remember that energy efficient styles pay for themselves over time with lower energy bills and are viewed as coveted assets by potential buyers.

Consider adding additional security

To many homeowners, the fact that one of the main entry points for burglars is through the front door may come as a surprise. This is due in part to homeowners neglecting to replace worn out and brittle entry doors allowing burglars to simply break through the door and gain entrance with little or no real effort. Replacing your front door with a steel or fiberglass entry door will go a long way to beefing up the security of your home as well as its curb appeal.

Another easy way to improve your home’s security and increase its value is by installing a security camera. Most homeowners can expect a break in your insurance when installing a surveillance camera and security system. You can also expect the system to pay for itself in a short amount of time and it is considerably less expensive than being burglarized.

Give your garage a new look

One of the quickest ways to make a significant change in the look and feel of your home from the outside looking in is to replace your garage door. A poorly maintained garage door is a definite eyesore when it comes to overall curb appeal and the ability to sell your home if you plan on putting on the market. Fortunately, there are several options for giving your garage a new look; even if it’s on a budget.

The cost of replacing a garage door varies widely depending on the type of door selected, ranging from about $650 to $1260. The most common reason to replace a garage door is cosmetic so it’s best to know whether your need a whole new garage door because of rust or damage or if you just need it repaired because it stopped working properly. Either way, homeowners can certainly save some additional money by doing it themselves instead of hiring a contractor.