Looking for a simple way to increase your home’s value without spending your savings?
It starts with your curb appeal.
Let’s face it… If your home looks drab and worn-out, that’s exactly how people are going to perceive it. But you can improve your curb appeal without breaking the bank.
Sound impossible?
Consider this:
Exterior improvements offer the best returns on investment of any home project. And many cost far less than you’d expect.
Ready to get started? Here’s your complete guide to upgrading your home’s exterior while keeping costs low.
Contents
Table of Contents
- Why Home Exterior Improvements Are Worth It
- Affordable Ways To Improve Exterior Home Appearance
- Top Exterior Projects With The Highest ROI
- Do It Yourself Projects vs Professional Exterior Services
- Conclusion
Why Home Exterior Improvements Are Worth It
When it comes to resale value, first impressions matter.
Homes that feature great curb appeal sell for 7% more on average than similar properties with negative exteriors. That’s according to research published in The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics.
To put that into perspective…
If your house costs $400,000, improving your curb appeal could mean an extra $28,000 in your pocket. Just like that.
But here’s the secret most homeowners don’t know.
You can have access to trusted exterior home improvement services that make it easier than going it alone. There are exterior contractors like Complete Exterior who work closely with homeowners to find exterior remodeling projects that increase property value.
Whether or not you decide to sell in the future is irrelevant.
Your home’s exterior matters because you live there too. You should enjoy walking up to your front door, and you should enjoy spending time outside.
Simple exterior updates can make a world of difference for your home and property. Don’t neglect the outside just because you can’t see it from your couch.
Affordable Ways To Improve Exterior Home Appearance
You don’t have to drop thousands of dollars to upgrade your home exterior.
Small improvements can have big impacts. And they don’t take a lot of time either. Here are some changes you can make for $500 or less.
Pressure Wash Everything
This may sound obvious, but cleaning your home tops the list because dirt and grime accumulates over time.
Pressure washing makes your home look instantly newer.
Focus on your home’s siding and exterior walls, driveway and walkways, porch and patio surfaces, and fencing and deck boards.
If you rent a pressure washer, this project won’t cost you more than $100. But it will make a dramatic difference.
Paint Strategic Areas
Sure, painting the entire outside of your home will improve curb appeal. But it won’t fit your budget.
Paint the front door instead. And any window trim that’s looking faded or worn.
A few touches of bright paint will give your home’s exterior some much-needed visual interest.
Upgrade Your Landscaping
Nothing hurts curb appeal like unkempt bushes and dead plants.
So give your landscaping a little TLC.
Trim bushes and hedges so they’re nice and crisp. Add fresh mulch to garden beds. Plant some seasonal flowers by your front entrance. Edge your lawn.
You don’t need to buy a bunch of expensive landscaping equipment. Just take care of what you have and keep it looking fresh.
Replace Hardware
Do you have dingy house numbers and an old, rusted mailbox? It might be time for an upgrade.
Swap out old hardware for new. You can find an amazing mailbox and house number combo for $50-100.
When someone pulls up to your house, you want them to notice your well-manicured lawn. Not your decade-old mailbox.
Top Exterior Projects With The Highest ROI
Don’t know where to start when it comes to your exterior?
If you’re looking to maximize your investment, check out what projects net the highest returns. We pulled data from Zonda’s annual Cost vs. Value report to highlight these nine exterior upgrades.
Garage Door Replacement – 194% ROI
Garage door replacement comes in at number one with a whopping ROI of 194%.
The average homeowner will spend $2,000-$4,500 on a garage door replacement and reap the rewards by adding nearly twice that amount to their home’s value.
Garage doors are one of the largest aspects of most homes that people notice. An old, worn-out garage door will stand out for all the wrong reasons.
Entry Door Replacement – 188% ROI
A steel entry door replacement offers homeowners an ROI of 188%.
At an average cost of $2300, your new front door does more than just look pretty.
It improves energy efficiency and home security while giving your home’s exterior some serious appeal.
Manufactured Stone Veneer – 153% ROI
Stone veneer may seem like an expensive addition, but you can expect 153% ROI by adding it to your home.
Whether you DIY or have it professionally installed, stone veneer adds character and depth to an otherwise plain exterior.
Replace your home’s siding with stone veneer or use it to create an accent wall near your home’s entryway.
Vinyl & Fiber Cement Siding – 95% & 92.1% ROI
Both vinyl siding replacement and fiber cement siding yield a great return on your money.
Keeping your home protected from the elements should always be a top priority when increasing your home’s value. Vinyl siding is cheaper than fiber cement, but both last longer than your old aluminum siding.
Complete Exterior can help you choose the right type of siding for your style and budget.
Do It Yourself Projects vs Professional Exterior Services
Many of the projects above are DIY-friendly.
Pressure washing, painting doors/windows, and planting flowers are all simple enough for you to do alone.
However, you’ll want to hire a contractor for projects like garage door replacement and stone veneer.
Why?
Some projects shouldn’t be taken on by someone who hasn’t done them before. Garage door and siding replacement require specific tools. And stone veneer installation is difficult to do alone.
Unless you have experience in these areas, always leave it to the professionals.
Quick Wins You Can Improve This Weekend
Tight on time and money? Try these:
- Wash interior and exterior windows
- Sweep and wash front porch
- Replace burnt-out exterior lights
- Remove debris from gutters
- Tidy garage and storage areas
Need more ways to improve your curb appeal without costing you money?
Check out this complete guide blog post full of cheap and easy ideas.
Conclusion
Throwing all of your savings into a home exterior upgrade isn’t your only option.
You can refresh your home’s appearance with affordable projects that cost very little money and time. But if you want to invest your money wisely, focus on high ROI projects like garage door replacements and new front doors.
There’s no harm in tackling DIY projects like power washing your home. But there’s value in knowing when to call a professional exterior contractor to help.
Your home is your largest investment. Take care of it by keeping your eye on the exterior, too.
