Editor’s note: This article is part of ChivMen exclusive series where the articles will guide and provide knowledge to men about everything in life.
With house prices rising as they are and the number of properties for sale on the decrease because of low supply and high demand, it is only a matter of time until competition will become even tighter.
The small improvements you make to your property may very well be the difference between a lower price and a higher price.
One of the main reasons a house sells is the way it feels and looks from the outside. From the street, it is still the initial impression that counts the most and as such, it is in understanding and improving your home’s curb appeal that you will find this advantage. This article provides five easy tips for the amateur DIY’er that will help seal the deal and increase your home’s curb appeal, or just make coming home more pleasurable.
1. A Neat Front Garden
Whether you are lucky enough to have a front garden or just an entrance space, it serves to keep it neat and tidy. If you cannot keep up with the lawn, pave over it and use pot plants to provide greenery and color. Research shows that more than 60% of Britons would not consider buying a house that didn’t have an outdoor area or garden.
Think about your garden and any outdoor space you have as an additional room of your house and as with any other room, it needs decorating. An important aspect of any garden is making it look good but also making it functional. Remember that even front gardens can provide outdoor living areas.
2. A Great Front Door
It is the first thing that you or any prospective buyer sees on approaching the house and as such, it should be a great feature. There are some great modern front doors that will make a marked difference to your street view and will be well worth the time spent finding the one that is right for you.
3. Maintain the Drive or Parking
If you have a paved driveway or parking, then have it professionally cleaned, as years of grime and dirt will have created an old, tired look. A pressure wash and clean will bring it back to life and add to the appeal and possibly the price. If you don’t have a driveway, consider ways to create space for a car. With almost every household in the country owning a car, spending a little extra will add thousands to a selling price if you are considering selling your house.
4. The Roof
If it is leaky, old, and missing tiles, it is likely not a good selling point. The roof is always on show and anyone on the hunt for a home can see from the outset if it needs work. Roofs are essential to protecting the inside of your house but also provide character to your house if you are able to maintain and upgrade any distinctive features. Whether these are the chimney and pots, or the materials you use on your roof, think about it as not just a way to keep the house dry but a key design feature as well. Do repairs to facias and guttering to ensure that the entire roof structure is beautiful as well as functional.
5. Window Frames
All window frames provide an opportunity to add a professional finish to the exterior of the home and is in keeping with the overall theme of functionality and increasing value. Street-facing windows can be matched with the front door for another eye-catching change that you can make that will not break the bank.
Concluding Comments
These are easy improvements to make to your home and can be done one at a time over a period of time, but ensure that you have the best curb appeal that you can before you have people coming to view the home.
