One way for homeowners to minimize the coming dip in their property value is to invest now in home improvement. While interior improvements to kitchens and baths are top equity-builders, homeowners shouldn't overlook the exterior of their houses.
"Exterior home improvements add to home value by increasing both the home's durability and curb appeal," says exterior home improvement expert Scott Seiler of ABC Seamless. "Work done on your house's siding, roof or landscaping can offer appreciable returns when it comes time to sell the house."
Five common equity-building exterior improvements include:
1. Roofing - "This is a top area of concern for many potential home buyers," Seiler says. "An old or damaged roof can cause huge headaches if not taken care of." The average asphalt shingle roof (now installed in four out of five new homes) should last about 15 to 20 years. Metal, slate and tile roofs will last significantly longer. All need regular maintenance and repair to maximize their lifespan.
Check the integrity of your roof every year, at least once a year, more often if you live in a particularly harsh climate, and certainly after every significant storm. High winds and hail can cause considerable damage to even brand new roofs.
2. Deck/patio - Creating an outdoor living space is one of the hottest trends in exterior home improvements. If your home currently has no deck or patio, adding one can be a low-cost way to increase your warm-weather living space. If you already have a deck or patio, consider dressing it up with additional "hardscape" items such as a built-in bench seat, gazebo, arbor, pergola or awning.
3. Landscaping - One of the first things potential home buyers will notice about your house is the landscaping. "To maximize the value landscaping adds to your home, you must walk a fine line," Seiler says. "If your lawn looks like you've never watered, mowed, weeded or fertilized it, a buyer may see it as too much work to bring it up to snuff. On the other hand, if you've gone overboard with shrubs, floral displays and excessive plantings, it will also look difficult to maintain."
The best bet is to keep lawns cut and patch any obvious bare spots, keep shrubs neatly trimmed and plantings to the minimum needed to enhance your home's curb appeal.
4. Sheds/Garages - Americans notoriously love our stuff and we always need more space to put it. Often, yard work equipment and patio furniture wind up stored in the garage. Consider adding a shed. You can either hire a professional to build one for you, purchase a do-it-yourself kit or opt for a pre-made plastic shed. Whatever shed you choose, the important objective is to contain outdoor clutter that might detract from the house's curb appeal.
5. Siding - Wood, fiber cement, vinyl, brick, stucco and aluminum are the most commonly used siding materials. Periodic painting is required to maintain the appearance and efficiency of wood, fiber cement and aluminum siding. Vinyl siding needs no painting, but can crack in extremely cold temperatures or leak at the seams where panels meet.
Seamless steel siding is the only siding option that eliminates both the need to paint and the risk of cracking or leaking. "One of the biggest benefits of this product is its longevity," Seiler says. "The seamless quality eliminates any opportunity for moisture, dirt or bugs to get in. The siding never needs to be painted or stained. The color looks as good after 20 years as it did when it was first installed."
To learn more about how seamless steel siding can add value to your home, visit www.abcseamless.com.
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