Articles

1. Paint the front door

Hands down, the easiest exterior project is also the one that reaps the biggest rewards. A freshly painted front door helps your home stand out from the block, and it can be finished in less than an afternoon. Fall is usually the perfect time for this activity; just pick that afternoon wisely. Exterior painting should be done at a time when the temps are at least 50 degrees and aren’t dipping below the 40s at night. This allows the paint to adhere properly and prevents it from freezing before it is fully dry.

2. Refresh (or repair) the deck

A deck is only as good as its condition. If the wood is splintering, the finish faded, or the rails shaky, call in the experts. A buyer who sees a dirty deck that’s in disrepair may sour their feelings about your house, and even if they still want to buy your home, they will certainly use it as a negotiating point. Even if you have to outright replace the deck, it’s worth the expense. 

3. Enhance the exterior

If your exterior paint job is in decent shape, a few touch-ups could suffice. But for those with chipping paint or a 1970s color scheme? Call the pros, The last thing you want is to scare buyers away before they even get inside. Stick to neutrals: This isn’t the time to try out a statement color.

4. Replace or repair your roof

The peace of mind offered by a functionally sound roof is invaluable to its respective occupants and is weighed heavily by those intent on making a purchase. A new roof can be basic or with details that enhance curb appeal, but its main value comes from instilling confidence in a prospective buyer. This holds true for repairing leaks and for cosmetic damage, which buyers often use to negotiate a lower price.

5. Power-wash the exterior

Power washing can make the old look new again. If you decide to go DIY,  take care to avoid spraying water in a direction that’ll force it behind siding or under shingles.

6. Clean the gutters

Here, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While you may need to wait for inclement weather to realize your return on investment, a mere 30 minutes of routine rain gutter maintenance could prevent thousands of dollars in damage to the foundation of a home.