With spring in full bloom, it’s time to tackle those outdoor home improvement projects you’ve been putting off during winter. Perhaps you’re considering a fresh exterior paint color, new landscaping, or updated patio furniture, but which exterior home renovation projects offer the most significant return on investment?
“The interior of a home is as important as the curb appeal,” says Jose Cardenas, a Global Real Estate Advisor with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “Many stagers concentrate on the inside, but we know the first picture is the front of the home, so the curb appeal is paramount. Fresh, colorful flowers and fresh mulch go a long way.”
As you contemplate exterior home renovations and outdoor upgrades, consider this list of top curb appeal projects that can earn you money back when you sell your property.
Explore in-demand curb appeal projects worth considering.
When selling your home, exterior home updates and curb appeal upgrades can boost interest and get eyes on your listing. “It’s important to have an attractive exterior to get people through the door to view the interior,” says broker Svetlana Choi of Coldwell Banker Warburg.
“Just as a dash of lipstick and a swipe of mascara can magically transform a sleepy face into date-ready dazzle, sprucing up a home’s curb appeal can similarly turn a drab dwelling into a real estate head-turner,” says Mike Kenney, broker/owner with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Kenney & Company.
Of course, some more intensive exterior home renovations can also lead to high returns down the line and significant perks while you’re still living at your home and enjoying the outdoor living spaces.
Cardenas says artificial turf is becoming increasingly popular in Florida because it’s easy to maintain and has a high visual impact. It’s also being used in driveways, incorporating landscape design ideas. “Driveways are getting reimagined. It’s no longer the plain, boring, cracked concrete. It is a combination of stone with turf,” he says. Incorporate more curb appeal design into the plain, sizeable solid surface.”
Buyers are generally very interested in environmentally friendly and sustainable landscaping ideas known as xeriscaping. This trend is partly spurred by local ordinances in regions where water use is highly regulated.
In addition to various plantings, Kenney says upgraded lighting, including LED backlit address placards, is widespread. “These trends reflect a growing preference for eco-friendly and technologically equipped homes,” he says.
Home entryways are also getting facelifts with front door makeovers. “Covered front door areas are increasing with the era of delivery packages,” Cardenas points out. “One must now design where to store (packages) and how to protect your deliveries while you get to them.”
No matter which of these popular timeless curb appeal upgrades you’re looking to tackle, there’s a new tool at your disposal. “Artificial intelligence is helping homeowners visualize the potential of what the front and back can look like,” Cardenas says. Look for online tools to help your curb appeal design process, or ask your real estate agent how AI can help you design your space.
By incorporating fresh paint on the exterior, home staging tips, outdoor home improvement projects like a front yard makeover, and backyard landscaping ideas, you can potentially increase your home’s value while making it more appealing to prospective buyers. Ideas can improve your home’s curb appeal and potentially increase its home value return on investment when it’s time to sell. Outdoor staging and curb appeal ideas can also make your listing stand out.
Elevate Your Home’s Value with Timeless Curb Appeal Upgrades and Exterior Home Updates
Curb appeal might seem to refer to a home’s aesthetic elements. Still, Bryson Taggart, an Opendoor agent partner and realtor, says it significantly influences a buyer’s subconscious.
“With buyers touring an average of 23 homes, first impressions are critical,” he says. “Homes with an off-putting front door color or a messy landscape will detract buyers. Curb appeal can show how much pride a seller takes in the home and make it much easier to sell.”
To improve curb appeal and boost your home’s value, consider these timeless curb appeal upgrades and exterior home updates that tend to increase interest in a home no matter the current trends:
Fresh Paint Exterior: A fresh coat of paint can instantly revive the look of your home’s exterior.
Front Door Makeover: Updating your front door with a new color or style can significantly impact curb appeal.
Landscaping Ideas: Well-designed landscaping, including plants, flowers, and hardscaping elements, can enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal.
Outdoor Staging: Staging your outdoor living spaces with patio furniture, lighting, and decor can help buyers envision themselves enjoying the space.
Front Yard Makeover: A complete front yard transformation, including landscaping, hardscaping, and potentially adding new features like a porch or walkway, can significantly improve curb appeal.
Backyard Landscaping Ideas: Upgrading your backyard with new landscaping, outdoor living spaces, or features like a deck or patio can add value and appeal.
Exterior Home Renovations: More extensive exterior upgrades, such as new siding, roofing, or even additions, can enhance both curb appeal and overall home value.
By incorporating these timeless curb appeal upgrades and home staging tips, you can create a lasting first impression that will attract potential buyers and potentially increase your home value return on investment.
1. Landscaping Ideas for Timeless Curb Appeal
When it comes to improving curb appeal, landscaping ideas take center stage. “According to our 2024 Home Decor Report, the best ways to maximize curb appeal include a freshly landscaped lawn (40%), boasting neatly trimmed plants and brush (25%), and focusing on the color of the house itself (19%),” Taggart says.
Cardenas suggests incorporating native plants and landscape design ideas that complement your region while highlighting any stunning views of your property as wow factors. “Don’t hide the house with the landscaping,” he says. “It’s like a haircut. It will feel renewed with a new look. And make the front door the center of attention—it will make it feel welcoming.”
However, you don’t necessarily need to invest in new mulch and plants to improve your existing landscaping. Sometimes, a simple cleanup can work wonders.
“Make sure the shrubs are pruned nicely, and there are underplantings if there is room,” says broker Ellen Sykes of Coldwell Banker Warburg. “In the garden behind the house, any leaves or residue from the winter should be swept away. If the plantings look sparse, add some; annuals don’t cost much, but they add color.”
2. Fresh Paint Exterior for a Revived Look
Painting your home’s front door, fence, and other exterior features is often the easiest way to give your home a facelift. And it pays off. Taggart says 9 out of 10 consumers report that a home’s exterior color impacts their potential purchase.
“Check the front door—it may need a fresh coat of paint or even a different color to make it stand out,” Sykes says. “Planted window boxes on the first two floors make the house look fresh and welcoming, especially in the front courtyard of any house.”
If you want to refresh your home’s interior with paint, stick with neutral colors. “While some love fun, bright hues on their walls, most buyers prefer more subtle tones,” Taggart says, suggesting white or gray tones indoors or more subtle versions of today’s trendy colors, including dusty rose, eggshell yellow, or pale blue.
3. Outdoor Staging and Home Staging Tips
Curb appeal can also be improved with proper outdoor staging of outdoor living spaces using patio furniture and accessories.
“If you have the space for chairs, this is a great way to make the entryway more inviting and to show off the additional space as a fun way to greet guests,” Taggart says. “Incorporate landscape lighting. Lighting provides safety and illuminates the walkway to your home to create an inviting entry.”
As Sykes points out, the curb appeal a potential buyer sees outside the home sets the stage for what they can expect inside. “Good curb appeal means a seamless transition from outside to inside,” Sykes says. “There are no jarring notes that stick in people’s minds before they even open the front door. Even if you have an immaculate staged home, if the outside is problematic even in little ways, it affects the buyer’s subconscious.”
By incorporating these timeless curb appeal upgrades, including landscaping ideas, fresh paint exterior, outdoor staging, and home staging tips, you can create a lasting first impression that may potentially increase your home value return on investment.
Maximizing Home Value: A Guide to Exterior Home Updates, Curb Appeal Enhancements, and Return on Investment Strategies
When contemplating exterior home renovations and curb appeal updates to your home for resale, it’s crucial to allocate a specific budget for enhancing curb appeal. “I would suggest 20-25% of your overall budget for improvements in preparing a property for the market as a ballpark,” Choi suggests.
Investing in timeless curb appeal upgrades will likely pay off when you sell your home.
“For sellers that invest and upkeep their landscaping ideas, buyers can attach anywhere from roughly 5% to 12% more value—depending on where you live—to a home with a cared-for landscape,” Taggart says. “And the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) estimate that ‘applying mulch annually, mowing about 2,800 square feet of lawn, pruning shrubs, and planting about 60 annuals or perennials costs about $3,000—but has a 100% return on investment (ROI) upon selling.'”
NAR also found that outdoor living space upgrades such as an outdoor kitchen, new patio, and overall landscape design ideas have 95% or more return on investment, Taggart adds.
While you may not add a new kitchen or patio to your home as you prepare to sell, it’s helpful to know that outdoor home improvement projects you undertake will be not only enjoyable for you but also a significant perk for future buyers and your home value return on investment.
“When selling your home, anything that helps make it look as good as possible is crucial. Remember that you have a very short period to grab the buyer’s attention,” Sykes says. “Buyers might not know immediately what they like, but within five seconds, they know what they don’t want.”
If done correctly, improving curb appeal can be the difference between getting a deal and not, and it can reflect positively on the value of your home. “The curb appeal pays off on day one, whether or not it adds value on the appraiser’s book,” Cardenas says. “This is the first impression that the buyers will fall in love with and the one the homeowner will look at every day as they return home from a long day.”
When budgeting for exterior home updates and improvements, Kenney suggests consulting with your real estate agent to ensure you focus on fixes that will garner offers if you want to sell. “Addressing any maintenance issues should be a priority, followed by aesthetic improvements that align with current trends and buyer preferences,” he says.
By incorporating fresh paint exterior, home staging tips, outdoor home improvement projects like a front yard makeover or backyard landscaping ideas, and other curb appeal ideas, you can potentially increase your home’s value while also making it more appealing to prospective buyers.
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