Buyer perception is a crucial selling factor, as is a home’s property value. If your clients feel frustrated that their houses are not priced at their desired figures, encouraging them to improve their property’s exterior design could lead to better offers. Discussing which projects would maximize homeowners’ return on investment (ROI) and curb appeal may be the next best step in improving a home’s marketability.
Curb Appeal Affects Home Valuations
People may think they must invest in significant property upgrades to boost their home’s value, but that is not always true. Although adding a room above the garage or an in-ground pool will increase the final valuation, exterior design changes have a similar effect.
Research shows that 77% of real estate agents recommend improving a home’s curb appeal to help it perform better on the market. Simple adjustments can positively impact the property’s worth. They may even help people buy a house faster, depending on when your clients need to sell their home and what they choose to do.
Design Elements That Could Improve Property Value
When discussing your client’s options to improve their home’s market price, focus on key projects that are straightforward and successful. They do not need a months-long renovation to make their properties worth more.
Updated Landscaping
A home with a front yard full of bare dirt is less appealing than one featuring plush zoysia sod, flowering bushes and trimmed edging. Buyers may pay more to have the most beautiful home on the street. Flourishing grass also doubles as an investment because it protects the soil from washing away during storms. People know they are less likely to pay for future repairs if your clients’ properties already have thriving landscaping.
High-Quality Siding
Siding withstands everything a home encounters. Rain, snow and direct sunlight are only a few factors that make it look outdated. If property owners upgrade their siding to a high-quality material, potential buyers will see a refreshed house that can better withstand future weather events. If your clients do not have the budget for a siding replacement, they could also pressure wash their homes to improve the curb appeal.
Garage Doors
An outdated garage door with dents will not help a home’s valuation like a newer model with a good seal can. Homeowners may not consider replacing their garage doors until they break, but it is an excellent exterior design replacement that boosts a home’s appeal.
If the new door uses a material like steel, the metal’s durability will also improve the home’s security because it can withstand more force than aluminum models. Buyers may pay more to live in a structure that better protects their loved ones.
Aesthetically Pleasing Lighting
If a home has a beautiful front porch or patio seating in the backyard, prospective buyers will imagine themselves relaxing in those spaces. The scene gets less enjoyable when floodlights are the only lighting fixtures around them. Homeowners can install mood lighting like Edison bulbs, pathway lights and softer garden lighting to make their property more inviting at night. The curb appeal will improve, leading to more competitive offers.
New Windows
People sometimes think windows can last as long as their homes if they freshen the caulk around the sills. Unfortunately, outdated windows can hurt a property’s performance on the market. Warped frames, cracks and condensation promise a future project that potential buyers may not want to manage.
Swapping window models has a positive effect on a person’s property value. Replacing wooden windows has a 62.9% ROI rate when selling a home because they will last longer and may look newer. The same research shows a similar rate for vinyl styles. If homeowners start with the windows on the front of their houses, they will increase the home’s curb appeal, too.
Modern Hardscaping
Retaining walls around plants and newly installed sidewalks uplift any property’s exterior design and value. The projects create a completed look for a home, which reduces how much new owners will invest in their house after they move in. Anything that makes the area feel professionally designed and low-maintenance will appeal to buyers. Patios, porches, fireplaces and other interactive features invite people to make memories, which they may dream about while considering how much they will pay for a new home.
Other Factors Affecting Design ROI
Choosing an exterior design project can feel challenging because there are many options. If your clients need guidance, encourage them to consider other influential factors on property additions, like:
- Regional homeowner trends that other properties are recreating
- Exterior projects that beautify the property and fortify it against extreme weather
- Buyer preferences based on the homes with great curb appeal that are selling fastest in the area
Homeowners could drive around their neighborhood to see what other homeowners are doing to improve their property value. This small step could give your clients the clarity they need to work on their home and update their online listing photos.
Better Understand Property Value and Home Design
Working with clients to sell their homes can require some creativity. Suggest exterior design projects they could complete quickly to improve their home’s valuation. Your clients’ property may have a better experience on the market once they have more curb appeal. A slight investment in landscaping, exterior features or lighting could get the results your clients need within their desired moving timeline.
