Thinking of listing your home? An inviting exterior is a necessity. It says, “Welcome. Won’t you please step in?”

Upgrades to make your home more appealing

HomeLight (https://www.homelight.com/blog/exterior-home-improvements/#Do) has broken down potential exterior home improvement upgrades into three main buckets of work: yard, curb appeal, and outdoor living — with clear and recommended improvements for each. Here’s a sampling of tips from HomeLight categories you may want to consider.

1. Exterior improvements for a beautiful yard

Do a basic clean-up

• Mow the lawn, add fertilizer, pull weeds, pick up sticks and remove debris and leaves. An investment of $268 in lawn care service adds over $1,200 in resale value for an ROI of 352%, according to research from HomeLight. Basic yard care service is also recommended by 91% of top real estate agents before listing a home.

Trim shrubs and bushes

• Overgrown shrubs and hedges can be an eye sore, while trees with dead limbs or branches pose a hazard. According to HomeLight research, low-end landscaping adds $1,500 in property value, while professional tree care adds an additional $1,400.

Apply mulch liberally

• Mulch is a homeowner’s best friend. It protects the garden while warding off weeds. Investing $340 in fresh mulch for your plant beds can add $800 in value for a 126% ROI, HomeLight estimates show.

Plant low-maintenance perennials

• Popping up like magic for three or more growing seasons, perennials offer the least amount of work for the best landscaping improvement.

2. Exterior improvements that enhance curb appeal

Replace or paint the front door

• Adding a fresh coat of paint to your front door is a project recommended by 70% of leading real estate agents. When a buyer views your home, they will spend some time examining the door as they wait for their agent to unlock it. Chipped or faded paint will fail to impress. Thankfully an affordable $150-$350 paint job can work wonders. When you pick a front door color, consider your home’s architecture, neighborhood trends, and whether you’re aiming for a classic or contemporary look. You typically can’t go wrong with traditional colors such as navy, dark green, or black. Red doors are also eye-catching and welcoming while adding a pop of color. If your door is sticking, sagging, or has a drafty frame, it likely needs more than a facelift. In that case, a replacement may be in order. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2021 Cost vs. Value report, you’ll recoup 65% of your investment in a factory-finished steel door valued at $2,082.

Install a new garage door

• A garage door that runs smoothly is a must for everyday function, but replacing this feature can also transform your curb appeal and add resale value. A new door offers the side benefits of increased energy-efficiency, better security, and fewer repairs. According to the National Association of Realtors®’ Remodeling Impact Report, a new garage door costs an estimated $2,100 but will recover $2,000 — or 95% of your spend – at resale.

Freshen up your siding

• On a cooler spring or fall day, you can make your siding look like new with only a few supplies. To clean vinyl siding, grab the following:
• A broom or soft-bristled brush with a long handle
• Bucket of general-purpose cleaner and warm water (add vinegar instead of cleaner to tackle mold and mildew)
• Garden hose with sprayer attachment
• Start at the bottom of your siding. Move your cleaning tool along the whole length of the panel and rinse with water before going to the next section. Pressure washers can come in handy for a particularly dirty job, but make sure you limit the pressure so as not to damage your siding material.

3. Exterior home improvements for better outdoor living

Dine al fresco with an outdoor kitchen

• Having a grill, bar, countertops, sink, and standard kitchen appliances all outside and only a few steps away from the home can enhance quality of life and be the backdrop for many wonderful memories made with friends and family. According to HomeLight’s Summer 2021 research, the value of an outdoor kitchen has increased from an estimated $6,156 to $9,751 since pre-COVID times. According to HomeAdvisor, you can spend anywhere from $5,500 for a basic outdoor kitchen, or up to $22,000 for a fancier one.

Build a deck or patio

• It costs between $4,380 and $10,080 to build a deck, HomeGuide estimates. But due to the rising desirability of outdoor gathering spaces, you’ll recoup an average $7,014 when you sell your home, data from HomeLight’s survey shows. That means if you paid a middle-of-the-road price for a deck, you’ll recover most of that spend. Decks are often built with a connecting patio. The average cost of a patio addition is $3,900, HomeGuide adds. As a great place to unwind outside, have a meal, sip coffee, or read a book, patios are certainly popular for buyers to see as they seek the new home of their dreams.

Bottom Line: Investing in exterior home improvements before listing your home on the market can help to expedite its sale and can bring you a reasonable profit as well.

Related Reading:
14 Ways to Get Instant Curb Appeal for Less Than $100
12 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Upgrade Your Home’s Exterior

St. Petersburg Communities

If you’re interested in any of these of communities or live in one and are thinking of selling, talk to The Mesimer Team.

Allendale Terrace
Bahama Shores
Bayway Isles
Coquina Key
Crescent Heights
Crescent Lake
Downtown
Greater Pinellas Point
Historic Kenwood
Historic Old Northeast
Historic Roser Park
Historic Uptown
Isla del Sol
Old Southeast
Placida Bayou
Snell Isle