A complete home renovation may be out of your budget, but there are a number of easy and inexpensive ways to improve curb appeal and increase your home value. Most of the following ideas can be undertaken as a DIY weekend project for less than a couple hundred dollars. With minimal elbow grease and investment, you can improve the appearance of your home!
1. Paint Your Front Door
The front door of a house is literally the key to making a good impression for visitors. If your entrance is characterized by damaged or dated materials, covered with dust or scuffed by shoes, a quick scrub and fresh coat of paint will do wonders. Outdoor paint is best for this project, as it will stand up better to the elements. If your door needs sanding and repair before painting, you’ll have best results by removing the door from its hinges first. Be sure to remove all hardware, carefully mask off the area, and use a drop cloth to prevent paint from dripping onto the porch. For a few hours of work and about $30-60 for paint, your home will instantly look more inviting.
2. Trim Vegetation and Walkways
Overgrown landscaping may lead to the impression that the inside of a home is unkempt as well. But with a couple of yard tools, you can quickly freshen up the outside and improve curb appeal. If branches have grown over walkways or windows or if they hang over and touch rooftops, trim those back to increase light and improve access and safety. Tidy up planting beds by removing weeds, clearing out leaves and taking out any vegetation that appears dead or dying. Be sure to consult an arborist to help with larger trees and leave the dangerous work around power lines to a professional.
3. Power Wash Exterior
At least once a year, consider power washing the exterior of your home. Cleaning the inside and outside of windows will also add to the overall clean appearance. Don’t forget to power wash walkways, porches and decks, as well. Some people prefer to hire a professional to help with this task. But if you’re up for the challenge yourself, power washer rentals are pretty inexpensive. Depending on the size of your house, this project can usually be finished in a weekend.
4. Update House Numbers
If your home is more than 10 years old, chances are that the address numbers on the front are outdated. Major home improvement stores carry a variety of styles and materials for you to choose from. You can also shop online for options you can personalize. With a screwdriver and possibly a ladder and a level, you can knock out this curb appeal project in less than an hour, at a very affordable cost.
5. Clean, Repair or Replace Screens
No matter what part of the country you live in, heat, humidity, dryness and age can take their toll on window and door screens. Dust buildup can occlude views in and out and make your windows look older than they are. Screens that are peeling back from frames or with holes in them may be perceived as a lack of overall maintenance of the home. There are several options for homeowners to DIY screen repair or replacement. Patience on the first couple of screens is usually warranted. The return on this relatively small investment more than pays for itself immediately.
If you live in the Central Oregon area, give us a call at 541-788-1095! We are happy to help you improve curb appeal and home value in any or all of the ways listed above. Stephanie loves yard work, and Frank is a licensed and bonded residential specialty contractor. Let’s help you make your home more inviting!
