In the world of real estate, curb appeal is king. A home with good curb appeal will sell faster and for a higher price than one without it. While there are many ways to enhance your home's curb appeal, some methods are more popular than others.
Some of the most popular methods include adding plants or flowers, painting the front door a new color, and adding a porch or deck. However, other methods can be just as effective. One example is replacing the doormat with a new one. A well-chosen doormat can add personality to your home and make it stand out from the rest. Another method that can be used to enhance curb appeal is changing the light fixtures on the outside of the home. A new light fixture can add style and personality to your home and make it stand out in the neighborhood.
Here we will explore some of the best ways to improve your home's curb appeal in 2022!
#1. Add Landscaping
A well-landscaped home will always be more attractive than one without. Decorative trees, bushes, flowers, decks, and fountains all make your house look nicer while adding value to your home. To get the most out of landscaping, it's best to hire a professional. Trust us; you'll need the expertise to make your landscaping look great.
However, if you're up for the DIY challenge, some landscaping projects are simple enough to complete on your own. If you need landscaping ideas, try visiting a few of the house and garden websites on the internet. You'll be surprised by how much help you can find online.
If you're looking for more ideas, try checking out some home improvement magazines or websites. There are endless possibilities when it comes to improving curb appeal, so don't be afraid to get creative!
#2. Maintain Your Roof
If your roof is at least seven years old, then it's probably nearing the end of its lifespan. What can you do about that? You need to inspect your roof now and again for problem areas. If you spot cracks or holes in the shingles, you'll need to replace them right away. Then grab a broom and sweep the snow and dirt off your roof. Believe it or not, a clean roof will prolong its lifespan by trapping heat under shingles with less wear.
If you're not sure how to inspect your roof for problem areas, have a professional do it for you. It's important to catch any potential issues before they turn into bigger problems. Be sure to keep an eye on your roof throughout the year; don't wait until winter to sweep the snow and dirt off!
#3. Repair Loose Railing or Stairs
One thing you'll notice about homes with great curb appeal is that they are well-maintained. They have no loose railings or steps, which can lead to accidents and costly repairs. You don't need to be a certified contractor to repair your loose railing or stairs. Simply purchase the proper tools, and watch a few videos on YouTube demonstrating how it's done. Your exterior will look great – and stay safe – with just a little maintenance.
If you have any loose railings or steps, be sure to repair them as soon as possible. Not only is it dangerous for people to walk on them, but it can also lead to costly repairs down the road.
You don't need to be a certified contractor to perform these repairs. You can purchase the proper tools and watch a few videos on YouTube demonstrating how it's done. With a little bit of effort, you can have
#4. Upgrade Your Front Door
Your front door is arguably the most important part of your home's curb appeal. When potential buyers are assessing your home, your front door will catch their attention first. To make the best impression possible, you'll want to upgrade it now while prices are still low.
A new front door can be made out of almost any material, so consider what's popular these days. Composite doors are extremely durable, but they can be rather expensive. Fiberglass doors, still on the pricey side, have a classic look to them. If you want an inexpensive but durable front door, consider purchasing a steel one. It may not win any style awards, but it will get the job done.
Another popular option is fiber-cement boards with painted vinyl inserts. These doors are reasonably priced, and they resemble wood doors. You can also paint them any color you want for a great look.
#5. Add Security Features to Your Home
Security is an important part of your home's curb appeal, especially if you live in an area with high crime rates. And now is the best time to install security features. Prices will probably keep rising in 2022, so take advantage of the low rates while you still can.
Security cameras are becoming more common in homes across America. They're easy to install, and they offer great home security benefits. If you don't want to purchase your security camera system, consider hiring a professional service instead. Security cameras can be installed inside and outside on walls, ceilings, or even tree branches.
You should also consider upgrading your doors and windows. Steel doors are extremely secure, as are security-glass windows. But you don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money; you can find affordable steel door kits at any hardware store. Meanwhile, security films can be applied to plain glass surfaces to make them stronger.
#6. Add Shutters or Arches to Your Windows
Shutters and arches are wonderful finishing touches for your home's exterior. They can be made out of almost any material, so you can get creative with your design if you're looking for something unique. Plus, shutters and arches add valuable privacy to your windows, which increases the comfort level of your home.
Shutters are generally more affordable than window treatments such as curtains or blinds. They're also easy to hang, so you don't need to spend a fortune on labor costs. Just make sure they match your door and shutters. Arches can also be hung with ease, but they're more expensive than shutters. If you want to install arches on your windows (and they look good on them), consider hiring a contractor for installation. You can't go wrong with shutters or arches; they'll make your home feel like the classic structure it is!
#7. Clean Up the Exterior of Your Home
We understand; this is a no-brainer. But we'd be remiss if we didn't mention it at all. An unkempt exterior can make even the most beautiful house look like a dump. If you want to give your home's curb appeal a major boost, give the exterior of your home a good cleaning. Sweep the walkway and driveway. Wash off any dirt or grime on your siding, windowsills, doors, shutters, etc. Make sure no cobwebs are hanging down from gutters or tree branches. Hire a professional pressure-washer if you need to. At Allstar Lot Maintenance, we believe cleanliness is next to godliness because it sure does make your home look nice.
Once the exterior of your home is clean and presentable, keep it that way. It's good to have your home pressure-washed every year or so. It will remove sap, pollen, moss, and other externalities that tend to accumulate on your exterior. Make sure you don't strip off any paint during this process, however; only pressure-wash clean surfaces. If you need any help with pressure-washing or cleaning your home's exterior, consider hiring a professional service, like Allstar Lot Maintenance. You'll be glad you did when you see the curb appeal of your freshly-cleaned home!
#8. Trim Your Trees and Shrubs
Trees are beautiful pieces of nature that can make your yard look majestic. However, they're also a liability. Dead trees and shrubs can fall from the sky at any time and cause a lot of damage to your home. If you don't want to hire a professional service to cut down dead or dying parts of your trees, at least hire a gardener for trimming.
It's not enough to remove overgrown tree limbs. If you live in the country, trees can grow lots of branches and leaves near power lines. You'll need an expert to climb up a ladder and cut back these branches so they don't interfere with utility wires -- and fall on your house and cause damage! Trimming is also important if you want curb appeal. If you have bushes around your home, they should be symmetrical and not grow over the walkway or driveway. It's critical to hire a professional gardener for regular trimming. You'll get curb appeal in no time when your hedges are nice and neat.
#9. Fix Leaky Faucets and Gutters
Believe it or not, your curb appeal can suffer if you don't take care of major repairs like a gutter replacement or leaky pipes. If your gutters are rusted out and look like they're about to fall off, replace them before the rain and melted snow cause a major flood in your home.
If you have leaky faucets or spouting, head outside and fix them before water leaks through the ceiling of your living room. This will make your walls look terrible, not to mention destroy the drywall underneath them. Plus, water stains on ceilings are a growing problem for homeowners because they can turn into the mold after a while. You don't want to deal with that hassle. If you hire a professional service for repairs, they'll get the job done quickly and efficiently so you can have curb appeal in no time!
#10. Fix Broken Windows
You may think broken windows are no big deal, but curb appeal says otherwise. If you want curb appeal, make sure your house doesn't have rusting or dirty windows. Replace them before you put your home on the market because this is one of the first things potential buyers notice about a property!
Curb appeal is important because it's the first thing potential buyers see when they look at your house. If your windows are broken, rusty, or dirty, they'll think that you don't take care of your home and that it's not worth their time to look any further. Fixing broken windows is an easy way to make your home look more appealing from the outside. You don't need to replace them all at once; just start with one or two and work your way up. You can also clean your windowsills and frames to make them look new again.
#11. Plant Flowers and Shrubs
Finally, if your home is surrounded by dead grass or nothing but dirt, plant flowers, and shrubs around your home. This is the perfect way to add curb appeal to your outdoor area. Through landscaping, you can spruce up your yard without spending much money at all. You don't need a major garden overhaul; just pick up grass seeds or flower bulbs, depending on what you're looking for, and get planting.
A front-yard filled with colorful flowers and a well-manicured lawn will get you to curb appeal galore. In addition to the curb appeal, planting trees and shrubs can also boost your property value! Landscaping is a major investment that pays dividends over time because it adds curb appeal and makes your property more valuable.
Conclusion
Curb appeal is the key to helping you sell your house, and make sure you don't neglect it like an ugly stepchild. If you want curb appeal, use our tips and tricks -- but hire a professional service for major projects, like shingling or repainting. Good curb appeal means good profit in the end!
If you need help cleaning up the exterior of your home, it's time to call in the pros! At Allstar Lot Maintenance, we specialize in pressure washing! We can help you with curb appeal and go above and beyond your typical pressure washing service! Contact us today to learn more about our pressure washing services. If curb appeal is what you need, we're here to help! For more information about how we can improve the curb appeal of your home, call us today! We service residents in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas.
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