Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or have been living in yours for years and don’t plan to move anytime soon, it’s always a good idea to work on improving your home’s curb appeal, regardless if you have plans to put your home on the market or not.
Keep reading to find out why.
1. Personal Enjoyment
Let’s face it, your home is your castle, and you owe it yourself to make sure it looks and feels good. Wouldn’t you want to cap off a long day of work by returning to a home that you actually want to be in?
The problem is that the more time you spend in your home, the more you get used to how it looks. And so, it ends up appearing stale and boring, which is why it’s important to step back every now and then, pretending you just saw your home for the first time. This will help you spot things you would normally overlook such as:
• Dirt and grime–Be sure to regularly pressure wash your siding, clean your windows, and sweep your front porch and walkways.
• Unkempt landscaping –Mow your lawn, trim your trees and bushes, and remove weed from your flowerbeds.
• Aged appearance–Check for things that need some touching up, whether it’s a door that needs a new coat of paint, a rusty mailbox, or a dilapidated driveway.
2. It Prevents Expensive Repairs
As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” Planning and cleaning your gutter and landscaping allows you to save time and money in expensive home repairs.
Here are a few maintenance tricks that will help you avoid unexpected repair costs:
• Cover your gutters– Covers prevent leaves and debris from clogging gutters, preventing them from warping, sagging, and spilling water on the ground, damaging your landscaping and foundation as a result.
• Plant trees several feet away from the foundation – If you have a tree that’s become too big for your property, you may have no choice but to cut it down if it represents a danger to your home’s foundation.
• Check your roof at least twice a year – Look for loose, missing, or torn shingles; cracks in flashing (the seal around your roof and chimney; signs for moisture or mold in the attic’s wood panels; and bubbling paint and stained ceilings caused by water damage.
3. It’s Good for the Neighborhood
The more well-maintained homes a neighborhood has, the more likely all homes in the area enjoy an increase in their fair market value (FMV) over time. Conversely, if a neighborhood has several homes that have fallen into decline, this can have a damaging effect on the FMV of the other well-maintained properties.
In other words, try your best to be a good neighbor and take care of your home’s appearance.
4. It’s Good for Your Property Value
Even if you think you’re going to stay put in your home for many years, it still pays to do everything you can to ensure its value appreciates over time. After all, your home isn’t just a house, it’s also an investment—likely the biggest one you’ll ever make in your life. While maintaining its curb appeal won’t guarantee appreciation, letting it fall into disrepair is all but guaranteed to hurt its value.
For more home buying and selling tips, be sure to follow this blog. If there’s a home you’d like to purchase or sell, let Blue Hen Homebuyers help you. Call our offices today at 910-802-2222 to learn more about our services.