Curb appeal. There’s no doubt it plays a major role in selling a house. However, one thing I’ve learned about curb appeal is that some exterior upgrades pay off more than others. Here I look at three surprising exterior updates you can make to get the best ROI.
1. Garage Doors
Although not a lot of homes in downtown Toronto have garages, if you’re one of the lucky homeowners that do have one, this is the number one exterior upgrade to see the best ROI. Garage doors cover a large surface of a house’s front, which means they are highly noticeable as you approach the home. A new garage door that complements the style of your home can see close to a 95% return when it comes time to sell.
How to Get the Right Look
The trick to choosing the right garage door is to select a style that matches your home’s architecture. Although you might be attracted to those classic carriage house doors, this style will only create a sense of disharmony when installed on an ultra-modern home. Likewise, contemporary windows running down the side of the garage door would not pair well with a Victorian home. So, when choosing garage doors, look for the style that will unify the look of your home.
2. Manufactured Stone Veneer
This affordable, easy-to-install exterior finish is having a major impact on the appearance of home exteriors today. The veneer comes in an endless selection of colours, tones, textures and configurations, making it easy to find something perfect for any home. Better yet, you don’t have to invest in an entire new home façade. Instead, using stone veneer to create a focal point is all it takes to see as much as a 92% return on your investment. This is a great way to provide an instant upgrade or create a more modern look that appeals to today’s buyers.
How to Get the Right Look
Although you can cover the entire house front, it tends to be overkill, adding too much texture. Instead, focus on accents such as the front door, along the bottom of your garage, at the peak of your roof, or around the windows. This creates a focal point that is subtle, yet distinct.
3. Siding Replacement
Siding has made a big comeback with new bolder colours and interesting contrasts that completely transform the look of your home. Siding has two benefits:
1) It creates a new façade for added curb appeal and;
2) It improves your home’s energy efficiency.
How to Get the Right Look
There are some exciting designs in siding today. You can go for a modern farmhouse look with white siding matched with a black roof. You can go sleek and modern with deep greys or black, or go for something historic like sage green or Wedgewood blue. Darker, more dramatic colours like port wine or navy blue are also very popular.
4. A Fresh Paint
Your house is your canvas. Paint!
Add beauty to the exterior of your home with a fresh coat of paint. Cost-effective and quick, painting your home’s exterior is an easy way to give your home a fresh new look that is guaranteed to make your home stand out and increase curb appeal. Painting a home’s exterior is also a great way to protect it from moisture and seal tiny holes, keeping the bugs at bay.
How to get the right look
Be sure to consult with a professional painter and ensure the highest quality exterior paint is used. Neutral colours such as whites, greys, and blues are popular. For a little extra wow factor, add a bold pop of colour to the front of your home, perhaps with patio furniture, or a colourful front door.
While these might not be the first upgrades that come to mind when you’re thinking of curb appeal, they offer impact and the best ROI.
For more information on how to make some great updates to your home check out this blog.
Photo by Travel-Cents on Unsplash
