New Year’s Resolutions: Increasing Your Home’s Value

By definition, a resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. We all want to eat healthier, go to the gym more often and be better people. Those are common resolutions, but why not aim for something a little different in 2019? Your home is your most important investment, so it’s always a good idea to keep that value high. Whether you plan on selling your home or staying for the long haul, a few minor tweaks can go a long way. At Contract Exteriors, we are experts at exterior home improvement and are here to provide a few tips on how to increase your home’s value.

Curb Appeal

We talk about this all the time. First impressions are important in any walk of life. How your home looks from the street isn’t any different. Your home’s exterior needs to make a prospective buyer want to step foot into your home and look around. For starters, make sure that your lawn is well maintained and in good shape. Add a pop of color by planting some flowers, bushes or trees. Another inexpensive way to brighten up your exterior is by painting your front door a different color. It’s always a good idea to match that paint with your shutters. Just make sure this is okay with your HOA (if you have one).

We offer both vinyl siding and fiber cement siding here at Contract Exteriors. Both are fantastic options, but we LOVE James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding, not only because we are a James Hardie Elite Preferred installer, but because they deliver an exceptional product. Their Color Plus line is a phenomenal pre-painted product that comes with a 30-year manufacturer defect warrant and a 15-year warrant on the paint.

Interior Improvements

Once your exterior is looking sharp, it’s time to bring your focus to the inside of the house. The first two areas to focus on are your kitchen and bathrooms. When these rooms become outdated and drab, they can prevent a home from reaching its peak value. Instead of going all out with granite countertops and heated flooring, start off with a tile backsplash in the kitchen or new shelving or fixtures in the bathroom. If you struggle with figuring out what looks best and where, consider seeking out a local interior designer. If you could just pick their brain for a few hours, that small fee would go a long way.

Address Larger Issues

Home buyers are sometimes reluctant to put an offer on a house if they are a year or two away from having to purchase an HVAC unit, new water heater or have to replace the roof (Contract Exteriors can help!). Sure, these can all be pricey items, but sometimes it’s best to make these improvements in an effort to sell your home. Another way to help the process move along would be by replacing stained carpeting with hardwood floors. Just a few options for you!

Bigger Is Better

Square footage has a HUGE impact on the value of your home. It’s often the first item that is mentioned to the buyer by the real estate agent when speaking of a home. Price per square foot is an easy way to compare homes that are similar in style and upgrades. At the end of the day, bigger homes fetch higher dollars, so why not increase the square footage of your home if you are able to? Once you decide to add on a Carolina room or build a deck, run it past your HOA for approval. We recommend an AZEK deck that comes with a 30 year fade & stain warranty. Contract Exteriors can assist with the entire process!