When you are looking to do a home improvement project, it pays to pay attention to the outside of your home. Many outdoor projects add more value for the money spent than interior projects do. Here are some outdoor projects you can do that will add value to your home.
Replacing an exterior door is a good project, especially the front entry door. This is an improvement you can make that has high impact but doesn’t cost a lot nor take a lot of time. You usually can have your front door replaced in a day for around $1,000 or less. In addition, you will likely recoup nearly all if not all of the money you invest in the form of increased home value. Another exterior door project that has high impact is replacing your garage doors. This project usually can be done for a couple thousand dollars and also will allow you to recoup most of the money you spend in terms of increased value.
Another low-dollar, high-impact outdoor renovation project is improving your landscaping. Nine out of 10 real estate agents recommend landscape design improvements when you are looking to sell a home. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot. Spending as little as 5% of your home’s value can get you a 150% return on your investment. On a $200,000 home, that means spending $10,000 would boost your home’s value by as much as $15,000. You don’t have to spend that much, however. Doing things as simple as having a plant nursery select the right kinds of plants and shrubs for your landscape can make a huge impact. Though you can do plantings on your own, working with a garden center or nursery will help ensure that you select the right types of plants and get the right look to maximize the boost in value.
Most homeowners focus on the inside of their home when considering home improvements, but thinking “outside the box,” so to speak, can actually be a better decision when it comes to trying to maximize value. Simple outdoor improvements, such as adding plants and shrubs, can boost your value well beyond what you spend.
