Posted on Friday, July 16th, 2021

curb appealYou only have one chance to make a good first impression. That may be trite, but it is true, and these days, making a good impression pertains to sale/purchase properties as well as rental properties. Having great curb appeal can mean attracting lots of potential buyers or tenants.

Listed below are some easy and effective ways to improve your property’s curb appeal, which could also potentially improve your bottom line.

Repair or Replace the Roof:

While repairing or replacing the roof isn’t the most budget-friendly improvement to make on a property, it is necessary, especially with real property that is located in Florida. As you may be aware, Florida can sometimes experience inclement weather conditions, such as, major windstorms, tropical storms, or hurricanes, which can result in damage to property. Such damage may require the repair or the replacement of your roof. When potential buyers or tenants see old roofs, missing shingles and stains, their thoughts turn to mold, leaks, and water damage. With these concerns, most won’t even look inside.

Roof repairs generally cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000, but it’s worth the investment. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, a new roof can bring as much as a 109% ROI.

Paint:

A fresh coat of paint is one of least expensive and most effective investments you’ll ever make in a home. When considering what paint color to use, look around the neighborhood to ensure that you fit with the overall color scheme of the neighborhood. Also, before you begin painting, make sure you confirm whether painting the exterior of the home requires association approval. It would be disappointing to go through the time and expense of painting the exterior of the home, only to find out that the color scheme you selected is not permitted by the association.

If the paint is in pretty good shape, consider touching it up and adding a pop of color to the doors and the window frames. According to a 2018 Zillow analysis, houses with front doors painted black or charcoal grey sell for $6,271 more than other houses.

Consider Adding Shutters:

Shutters add instant depth and interest to the exterior of a home. They make a great contrast with the rest of the house. Shutters do not have to be a large investment, especially if you have standard size windows and you do not opt for any custom treatments. Also, since we are in Florida, another thing to consider would be whether to update to hurricane shutters. Generally, base model shutters start around $30 a panel and go up from there.

Clean-up:

This is one of the most budget-friendly improvements you can make to your property, and it’s important. Wash windows. Sweep sidewalks. Pressure wash the exterior, if necessary. Remove weeds and trash. Mow the lawn and edge. Do what it takes to make your property look desirable to others.

Landscape:

According to the National Board of Realtors, well landscaped homes sell for 7% more than those without landscaping. 70% of people looking at homes say the condition of the lawn affects whether or not they look inside. Plant shrubbery. Trim existing shrubbery. Add fresh flowers to planters on the porch, and trim tree limbs.

Add Lighting:

Update the porch light with something modern and sleek. Line the walkway with inexpensive solar lights from a local home improvement store. Make sure all the light bulbs are working, including the one at the back door.

Note: Exterior lighting promotes safety and discourages crime and vandalism.

Why does the curb appeal of your property matter?

  • It maximizes your rent potential if it is a rental property.
  • It increases good tenant retention if it is a rental property.
  • It reduces maintenance issues if it is a rental property.
  • It adds to your bottom line.
  • It reduces any issues with inspection of the home if the property is for sale.

The Orlando Real Estate Attorneys at Nishad Khan P.L. can help you with more ideas and tips to help improve your property value.