Curb appeal is incredibly important to most buyers. Think for a moment, which is your favourite street in the city? In all likelihood, it’s a favourite of yours because of the style of housing, the care that has gone into each front yard, etc. We call this curb appeal. It’s typically one of the first things someone falls in love with, in fact, they may be waiting for a house on a specific street simply because they love the look and feel of each exterior of the home.
Not only will you benefit from the enjoyment of improving your curb in the near term but these improvements will increase the value of your home. Here are some of our suggested changes that will make your home more attractive and functional, and they’re also the ones that will give you the most impact for your investment of money and time. If you’re looking to improve your home value further, here are The Top 5 Home Improvements For Resale and The Top 5 Easy Home Improvements with High ROI.
The Walkway
First, create an inviting walkway for your guests and potential buyers. Lay bluestone or any other type of slate over the typical concrete steps or walkways to add warmth to an otherwise cold entry.
Replace Old Columns
Most front porches have columns that are visually too small to support the roofs. Replace all columns that are 4″x4″ with larger ones. It will look and feel better if you do.
Replace Light Fixtures
For some reason, porch lights are often hung at the wrong height and are not to scale with the entry. When hanging sconces, put them a bit higher than your eye level to reduce glare. For those of you with unusually high entryways, try independent lights. It’s an easy way to add elegance to your home.
Exterior lighting can warm the look of a home without creating distinct points of light. Where space is limited, well-placed exterior lighting can replace pendants or sconces at the entryways. The home will be further enhanced if the materials and lighting are of the same style as the home.
Consider Replacing The Front Door and Windows
Make sure your entry door does not clash with the style of your home. If you have an arts and crafts bungalow, stick with a door appropriate to that style. If you have a contemporary home, your door should be contemporary. Don’t get caught up in the fads of the time. Consider, too, the style of the interior. This is also true of windows.
If you have an older home, it will probably benefit greatly from the energy saved with new windows. Keep the style of the windows the same as the home’s architecture for the best outcome. Replacement windows are less expensive because they are made to sit inside the present frame. Most window companies can replace the windows in this manner in a single day.
Add or Replace Shutters
Make sure your shutters are not too small for the window. They technically should be wide enough to cover the window opening when closed. Mount operable shutters slightly away from the home. Shutters will provide a decorative element that further defines the character of your home and gives it a custom look.
Landscape
For goodness sake, understand that the days of a straight hedge at the front wall of the house to the street are over. The same goes for lawn that stretches from the home to the street with practically nothing of interest. Remember that the exterior decor should utilize focal points and group your plants together. Don’t string them out, soldier fashion, along the front of your house or the sidewalk leaving the in-between areas bare or endless grass.
Frame Doorway with Plants
Try using boxwoods, steeds holly, dwarf Alberta spruce, smaller holly trees or arborvitae. Potted plants can be moved around and taken with you when you move away.
Consider Colour of Home
Determine the most complementary colour for both the body and trim of your home. Some houses look better with muted colour schemes rather than the standard white trim. Consider an off white trim with a complementary colour for the body of the house.
Assess Roof
Asphalt roofs look best in either black or slate gray. For more informal homes, pressure-treated cedar shake roofs have wonderful colour and texture. Slate roofs give a premium look to any home. Raised-seam metal roofs are a great option for homes that seek to achieve a distinctive older look.
Older Homes
For older houses, look for lighting fixtures that look like old carriage lanterns or gas lanterns. Finishes should be black or aged copper. For an extra special look, replace the glass with seedy glass and use lower wattage bulbs. If you have a larger budget, consider installing a gas line to make the fixture a real gas lantern.
Curb appeal is a sure-fire way to increase the value and desirability of your home. Some minor adjustments here and there can go a long way. Chipping away at the work now will ensure that it feels less daunting down the road should you wan tot make changes just before the sale of your property.
As always, we are here should you have any questions or concerns. We are always happy to help and guide. Contact us now.
