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While most of us enjoy watching home remodeling shows that focus on gorgeous interiors, the exterior of your home can also increase yours home’s value, as well as provide curb appeal that you’ll look forward to seeing when you arrive at home.

Perhaps the reason why most television shows don’t focus on exteriors is because they’re relatively easy to maintain, and in a lot of ways, don’t require the work of two handy TV stars to get the job done. In this simple guide, you’ll get clear cut directions on how you can maintain your home’s exterior in ways that benefit you now, for the long run, and even if you decide to sell.

1. Power Washing Goes a Long Way

Power washing your home can get rid of the grime, dust, and dirt – as well as cobwebs, nests, and other debris – that rain simply can’t flush away. Whether you decide to rent one or buy one, you’ll see a noticeable difference afterward. Your home will look like it did when you first walked up to it, seeing it with fresh eyes. Consider this cleaning job at least once a year, and you’ll keep the exterior of your home sparkling clean.

2. Keep an Eye on Your Foundation

The foundation of your home is literally the structure upon which the rest of your home stands. While much attention is paid to the interior of your foundation – the steel beams, for example, that we’re all familiar with – the exterior needs to be looked after as well.

Fill in cracks with an epoxy, or have a foundation repair expert do this for you if the job’s too big. Also, make sure your gutters are cleared, and they’re pushing any water away from your house. In addition, you may want to look into drainage solutions if you have large puddles in your yard. A french drain, for example, can keep water far away, as you don’t want it seeping into your basement or eroding the walls of your foundation.

Lastly, make sure you have the proper soil grade along the perimeter of your foundation. Rain water can flush away the soil leaving troughs that water can fill, and which will eventually drain against your basement walls and damage them. What’s worse, if you have any cracks in your foundation’s walls, the water will enter your basement. A foundation repair team can also make recommendations about soil grade to make sure your foundation stays in great shape.

3. Keeping Brush and Branches Away from Your Home

Most experts recommend anywhere from two to six feet, depending on the size of the plant, tree, or bush. This distance is important for a reason: you don’t want critters, moisture, and insects getting access to your exterior walls or siding, nor do you want to damage your exterior when the wind brushes branches against it. Further, the closer trees are to your home, the more of a risk you run for storm damage when branches break.

4. Keep an Eye on Your Roof

Your roof is another major home renovation that you want to take care of. There’s a reason why the expression “roof over your head” is used to describe having your needs met. That’s because if your roof is damaged in any way it can cause serious damage to your home and bring about some major homeowners’ headaches.

As we mentioned above, make sure you trim branches to keep them as far from your home as possible. Nearly everyone in the U.S. lives in a location where storms can break branches, so you don’t want to end up with roof repair issues after a storm.

Further, be on the lookout for any damaged shingles, flashing (the metal that seals parts of your roof while angling water toward the gutters), and any other signs that the roof isn’t performing up to snuff, such as standing water.

These Four Tips Will Take You a Long Way in Keeping Your Exterior in Great Shape

Washing the exterior of your home, committing to a bit of landscaping, and keeping an eye on your foundation and roof are four tasks that can be quite manageable, but can make a big difference for the value of your home, to prevent damage, and to keep it looking fresh and clean.

If you’re unsure about tackling any of these yourself, you can always hire a professional who can offer a free consultation. In particular, foundation repair experts will assess the exterior of your foundation for free, especially if you work with a reputable company that understands local soil conditions and how houses were built in your area.

There’s never any shame in getting help when you need it, whether it’s for landscaping or roofing, because the most important thing to remember is that you’re pursuing help because your home matters to you and you want to keep it in great shape – and that’s certainly something to be proud of.

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Whether it’s a new house or a previously occupied home, sellers use it every day as a way to attract potential buyers. As a homeowner, you might also want to repaint your home to spruce things up a bit or match your wall colors with the rest of your interior décor. Painting is actually among the most common DIY projects you can take up easily, but there are several things to consider to make it a smooth sail, and avoid disappointments. Here are 4 crucial things you should do before painting your home.

1. Get a Storage Unit for Your Belongings 

More often than not, paint jobs are messy. Even if you’re using a painting company, there’s a chance that one or several of your belongings might collect dust, stains, grime, or even odors from paint.

Furthermore, the job is best done when there’s enough space to maneuver, plus you can never rule out the chances of breakage for fragile items. This is why many homeowners rent temporary storage for their belongings during a paint job.

Thanks to the recent internet advancements, locating the right storage unit for your needs is not rocket science these days, even in areas like San Antonio where the demand for storage units is above the roof. Typing the words “storage facility in San Antonio” in a self-storage finder tool can be a great place to start.

Other ways to put belongings out of harm’s way include:

• Sealing everything up with polythene (if you have enough space)
• Moving some items to your garage or a friend’s place
• Selling or donating unwanted stuff

2. Conduct the Necessary Repairs 

Certain repairs may be necessary before painting any surface in your home. The needed repairs may vary from one situation to the other, but it mostly revolves around proper surface preparation before painting.

A few probable repairs to check out for include wall cracks, peeling paint, stains, rot, rough surfaces, and rust, just to name a few. Before you apply the first lick, at the very least, don’t forget to:

• Check your walls to see if there are any chips, scratches, peeling paint, or uneven surfaces
• Clean and wipe the surfaces inside your home
• Clean all mold and mildew spots on walls

In some cases, you may need to repair the wall edges (including when dealing with large doors, windows, or walls) to help prevent paint from getting in the cracks and crevices.

3. Decide on the Colors And Finish Needed 

No matter if you decide to hire professional painters or do it yourself, one thing that needs to be taken into consideration is whether you need to bring in neutral colors or use darker shades. Your choices of color when painting your home will depend largely on the preexisting style as well as your needs.

For instance, an updated bathroom that needs to be painted white, or an oak-look kitchen that also needs a warm oak finish can be greatly modified by the use of darker colors and lacquer finishes. Many homeowners are also opting for a neutral-colored bedroom that can be updated as often as needed.

The main idea is to pick a design and finish that resonates well with your tastes and preferences while blending with the rest of your décor!

4. Consider Your Budget 

As with any other remodeling project, painting a house can cost a significant amount of money. Your budget will depend on various factors, including the kind of paint to be used and the amount needed, the materials needed, and what you spend on repairs if any are required.

It will also depend on whether you choose to paint your home DIY or hire a professional painter, but one thing holds true. You might have to set more cash aside if you want the best results because the best paints are often more expensive.

Painting allows you to give your home a new lease of life. Whether you’re staging it for a sale or simply need a cozier living space, the above few tips can help you prepare your home for what will be a satisfactory paint job! 

However, when it comes to adding value to your home, it’s time to step outside and see what your house has to offer—or is missing. From small and budget-friendly additions like fresh paint on the front door to more expansive and costly projects like building a new deck, outdoor home improvements that can add value to your home range in both project size and cost. Here are 7 value-boosting outdoor home improvements you should consider. 

1. Adding a Deck

Decks are a place to entertain, unwind, and enjoy the fresh air. And beyond the endless enjoyment they offer while you’re living in your home, they also have a decent return on investment (ROI). According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report 2021, you can expect to recoup approximately 66% of your wood deck building costs upon resale. However, to protect your investment, it is essential to consider weatherproofing to increase the longevity of your new outdoor addition. Weatherproofing should include protecting the wood against rot by using butyl tape to waterproof the tops of deck beams and joists. In addition, if you build a wood deck, you may need a stain to protect against UV and a sealant for moisture protection. 

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What about composite decking? It is also a good choice with a 63% ROI. A composite deck is a pricier option, but unlike wood, a composite deck resists fading, scratches, and stains, requiring little maintenance. Plus, composite decking, such as Trex, is made from 95% recycled materials making it an eco-friendly choice. 

A Stone Veneer Facelift

With its texture, warmth, and timeless style, real stone has been a popular material to beautify homes for centuries. Unfortunately, the cost and weight are a drawback that is prohibitive for many modern homeowners. Instead, cut stone veneer is a lightweight simulated stone-facing material that is durable, affordable, and easy to maintain. Plus, you can expect to recoup a whopping 92% ROI.

You can give your home a facelift by using stone veneer to frame your front door. You can also add a grandeur aesthetic to the porch columns and reface an outdoor fireplace or firepit. 

An Outdoor Firepit or Fireplace

There is nothing quite like a cozy crackling fire with the sweet smell of roasted marshmallows wafting through the night air. And with the desire for outdoor living space steadily on the rise, there has never been a better time to install a firepit or outdoor fireplace. According to the American Institute of Architects 2021 Trend Survey, 70 % of homeowners reported that outdoor living space was an important feature for a home—increasing from the previous year’s 61%. 

You will need to consider whether you prefer a firepit or fireplace. Firepits come in various shapes and sizes and tend to be more budget-friendly, but the spark and open flame are a hazard for wood-burning fires. On the other hand, fireplaces may take up more space and are more costly, however, they direct heat better and their elegance and size can beautifully anchor an outdoor living space. In terms of size, outdoor fireplaces are available in various dimensions, ranging from small, intimate designs to larger or more grandiose ones. It’s important to do your own research online, but a good starting point is Regency Fire‘s outdoor fireplace Buyer’s Guide.

Windows

Replacement windows may not always dramatically change the exterior of your home, but they are well worth the investment. Installing new windows can improve your home’s energy efficiency, upgrade security, and reduce outside noise. Plus, their ROI certainly isn’t anything to turn your nose up at—both vinyl and wood window replacements have an approximate 68% ROI. 

Is one type of window better than the other? It all depends on your budget and needs. Wood windows can be painted any color and are highly energy-efficient, but they are more costly and need to be maintained. Vinyl windows are cheaper and low maintenance, but they don’t insulate as well. Plus, anything beyond white and beige usually comes at a premium.

Upgraded Landscaping

Everyone wants their home to look and feel its best, and landscaping plays a large role when it comes to the exterior. Of course, you can hire professionals to revamp your landscaping, but this is also very doable for DIYers.

Start with the grass, ensuring it is trimmed and free of weeds. You’ll want to seed any bare spots and possibly apply fertilizer to create a more uniform and lush appearance. If your grass is in terrible shape due to drought, then you may want to consider replacing it with a drought-resistant clover lawn. Next, look to any existing plant beds. Trim anything overgrown and go from there. You can pull existing plants for low-maintenance ones. What you can use will depend on your climate zone, so ask your gardening center for advice if you are unsure. Or check out our landscaping tips for more ideas. 

Front Door Makeover

Your front door is the first impression of your home, so naturally, you want to make it look great. For those on a tight budget, a fresh coat of paint can do wonders. However, a steal door replacement can not only save you on energy costs and improve home security, but it has an ROI of 65% as of 2021. 

On top of updating the door itself, you may also want to swap out the hardware if it is outdated. Finally, a new welcome mat and a couple of potted plants go a long way for staging the area and infusing it with an inviting aesthetic. 

A New Garage Door

Since a garage door covers such a large surface area, it plays a significant role in your home’s curb appeal. Luckily, replacing it also has a phenomenal ROI—approximately 94% as of 2021. In addition, much like replacing the front door, a new garage door can reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs and improve your home security.  A new garage door, on average, costs about $3,900. If this isn’t in your renovation budget, then you may at least want to consider filling in any cracks on your existing door and giving it a fresh coat of paint. 

Plenty of outdoor improvements can make your home more enjoyable and efficient while adding a ton of value. Remember that the best investments aren’t just about a high ROI in the future, but the enjoyment and benefits they will offer you and your family today. 

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If you’ve already worked through the home improvement projects you planned for your home and created your ideal space, you may want to think about finding more ways to do what you love and have it pay off in the long run. If you enjoy renovating and remodeling homes, you may have already considered investing in real estate. Selling houses and maintaining rental properties may seem like a lot of work, but they could provide outlets for your creative vision and make you money at the same time. Keep reading for some ways that real estate investments could fulfill your passion for home improvement and benefit you in the long run.

Give an Old House a New Life

Flipping houses is one of the most common forms of real estate investment. For someone who loves making homes more attractive and functional, it can be a really rewarding way to spend your time and your money. Developing a smart strategy for your property purchase, remodels and renovations, and marketing efforts should come easily for someone who is already interested in home improvement. To ensure the best return on your investment, you’ll need to buy the right house to flip. Check out notable or up-and-coming neighborhoods and buy a nearby home that needs some love. You can bring the property up to speed with the neighborhood’s growing appeal through renovations and remodels, adding value to the home that will be reflected in your profit when you go to resell. 

Marketing the home for resale will be another opportunity to highlight your skills. Staging the home for listing photos will require a keen eye for interior design and you’ll get to reap the benefits of your hard work when offers start flowing in.

Rent Out Your Dream Home

Alternatively, you can purchase a vacation home in a desirable spot and rent it out. You likely have a dream location in mind already, but uprooting your life and family to live there full-time isn’t really an option. Instead, you can purchase a property, fix it up to suit your tastes, and list it on a short-term rental platform like Airbnb or VRBO. Vacation rentals offer you the opportunity to enjoy your property at your leisure and allow it to work for you in the downtime. Airbnb allows you to unlist your property at any time for personal use, ensuring that you still get to feel like you’re gaining a second home. Further, short-term rentals allow you to interact with your guests and help them get the most out of their stay. In addition to the work you put into furnishing the home for maximum appeal and functionality, you can also talk up your home’s location and give suggestions on local attractions and sights for your guests to enjoy.

Create a Neighborhood Atmosphere

In all real estate and home improvement projects, location is essential. If you already have experience with the two previous options and you’re seeking to expand to commercial property investments, you can focus on ways to build the kind of neighborhoods that people love to live in. Many of the most desirable new neighborhoods are filled out by mixed-use properties that blend residential, retail, and office units to improve the quality of life for locals and make day-to-day errands more convenient. Making shopping centers, workspaces, and recreational areas more accessible to residents adds to the value of any living space. 

If you have extensive experience with smaller-scale home improvement and real estate projects, it may be time for you to branch out and invest in the surrounding areas as well. Check out financing options for mixed-use properties and see if this could be your next big venture.

Whether you’re starting small by flipping a house or you’re ready to build better neighborhoods on a larger scale, these investment opportunities are great ways for home improvement lovers to exercise their interests and make more money doing it.

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As the stamp-duty holiday, introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in response to the covid-19 pandemic, continues into spring this year, property searches and sales have flourished. The UK property market has grown over the last few months, meaning now could be the perfect time to sell.

Buyers are evaluating their needs when it comes to property. Many of us are working from home now and are dreaming of more space. City dwellers looking to leave their urban lives behind are searching for gardens and bargains in countryside locations. All this has created the perfect conditions for people who want to sell their homes. Before you do, it could be worthwhile doing some renovations to add some cash to your sale price. Where necessary, employ tradespeople to complete the work for you, particularly when it comes to construction work. For smaller projects, you might try a DIY approach. Be careful when undertaking home renovations and ensure you are using the right tools. Improper use of tools can lead to injury, hospitalisation and possibly lead to medical negligence, so always take precautions before starting any DIY home projects.

Here are our top renovations for adding value to your home.

Loft and Garage Conversions 

Converting unused spaces in your home is ideal for attracting buyers who want home offices or playrooms to distract the kids. Lofts and garages are ideal candidates for conversions. You could even add a small extension if your property has the space.

Garden Landscaping 

As many people leave their cramped flats in the city, gardens and outdoor space have become one of the top features buyers are looking for. Attract buyers by adding decking areas or curate lush plants and flowers around the garden to make it more inviting. If you need tips on how to use renovation tools and machinery, take a look at Renovation Dojo for extensive guides from remodelling experts.

Brand new Kitchens 

While much has changed about the way we live at home one thing is for sure, the Kitchen is still the heart of it. Buyers love brand new kitchens with new appliances that won’t breakdown and don’t need servicing regularly. A new kitchen could be worth the investment if you’re hoping to sell.

Energy-efficient Upgrades 

Many houses in the UK were built for a different time. Future-proof your property with energy-efficient upgrades that will attract buyers. The energy cost savings are a big draw for most buyers and younger generations are looking for houses that don’t damage the planet.

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There are many ways you can increase the value of your home by carrying out some simple tasks. Certain projects will not only increase the visual interior and exterior appearance of your property but also its value and you don’t necessarily need to spend a fortune to achieve this. Here are some useful pointers to take into consideration if you wish to increase the value of your home when putting it on the market:

1. Extend your Home

If you have sufficient land surrounding your property and believe you could use it to enhance the size of your home, an extension could be an option to boost your home’s resale value. Doing so could turn the humblest home into a majorly sought-after property on the market. According to research, a well-planned extension could increase the value of your property by up to 12%, providing you use the space wisely and seek the advice of a specialist to propose the design and layout.

2. Restore or Repair Period Features

If you own a period home with unique features, it’s important to make the most of them when it comes to putting your home on the market. As there will be a vast amount of period properties already on the market, you need to ensure that your home stands out from the crowd to secure interest. You must expose the history of the home and ultimately show off the property in its full glory. The idea is to retain and restore as many elements of the original build as possible to give the property a more interesting story and of course buyer appeal.

3. Deal with Structural Issues

Before putting your home on the market, you need to ensure that any structural issues have been taken care of, as they will not only put off buyers, but also impact the resale value of the property. Subsidence is one of the most common, yet damaging issues and can be extremely expensive to repair but is a must before selling. There are many other structural defects to be aware of including:

• Damp and mold
• Insect infestation
• Damaged roof and missing tiles
• Bowing walls

4. Bathroom Renovation

Although it can be quite costly, a bathroom renovation can dramatically increase the resale value of your home. A minor remodel could be as simple as replacing the tub, toilet and sink, however, if you wish to impress your buyer, you should go as far as to have a full remodel bathroom design which fits in with current trends.

5. Garden

Did you know your property’s exterior appearance could also impact the value of your home? The garden is ultimately an extra space for residents to relax, but if it doesn’t give your home the ‘wow factor’, you could lose a substantial amount of money off the re-sale. The lawn should be moved, trees and hedges cut back and have clear pathways at the very least to make it presentable for the market.

Rooves rot, windows lose their efficiency, and cracks appear simply due to age and repeated exposure to the seasons. Investment needs to be done on maintaining, as much as it needs to be done for aesthetics. You already know that adding another bedroom will increase your property’s value. You know a kitchen or bathroom remodel will fetch you the best return on your initial investment. What you might not be familiar with is how the following top renovations will improve your home’s value:

Using Smart Landscaping

Landscaping frames any property in natural beauty and works to make it more attractive to buyers. Though it won’t necessarily mean a huge uptick in your home’s value, it could result in a bidding war depending on the market when you sell. Landscaping, however, can be so much more than that. With the right design, you can create a smart outdoor living area that adds value to your home and decreases energy usage. Plant coniferous trees alongside your walls will reduce heat loss due to aggressive and cold winds. Planting large overhead trees in the summer will shade your roof and keep your home cool. Improving the value of your property for these smart landscaping choices is all about marketing successfully.

Insulate Your Attic

Insulating your attic can do two things; one, it can help improve the heat distribution in your home. Two, it means you can now finally renovate that area if it is large enough and potentially add in an extra bedroom. You will need to first invest in Attic Projects services to clean your attic and seal it to prevent rodents from entering. Once this is done, this Orange County attic company can then insulate your attic and prime it for any additional renovation work to be done later on.

Replace Your Windows

Double glazing works not because air is trapped between the windows, but a non-toxic gas. This gas makes it far more difficult for heat to transfer, but it does leak out very slowly over time. That is why it is essential to bring in professionals so that they can gauge exactly how much energy is being lost. Get them replaced when necessary.

Invest in Alternative Energy Sources

Solar panels will increase your home value, but only if you intend to live in your property for a long time after investing in them. This is because their cost will be recouped through energy savings alone and, depending on where you live, the potential of selling back unused power to the grid. Solar water heaters and air heaters are other great ways to reduce your energy usage substantially. When the time comes to sell, your home’s low energy use will be a huge selling point, as energy costs are expected to rise. Energy efficiency is going to be increasingly important in the future. Owning a self-sustained home will lower energy costs substantially, and even potentially give you the ability to remove yourself from the grid. These investments are best done now so that you can recoup the costs through energy savings, and then sell on your home when energy costs are at their highest.