Pittsburgh is a great place to live. The city offers a blend of affordability, a rich culture, and a booming economy. Moreover, the city’s housing is also 7% less than the national average. Due to its many great qualities, the housing market in Pittsburgh is quite competitive. So, as a homeowner in Pittsburgh, it is crucial to take steps to increase the value of your home, especially if you plan on selling it in the future.
When it comes to increasing a home’s value, the exterior often goes unnoticed. The truth is that the exterior is the first thing buyers notice, so it is important to make a good impression by creating a visually appealing home. Surveys also show that improving curb appeal can increase your home’s value by 3% to 5%.
Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value with Exterior Upgrades
Here are some ways you can boost your home’s curb appeal.
Replace Damaged Windows
Windows are an essential part of your home, ensuring safety and comfort. However, over time, windows can become damaged and lose their efficiency. Damaged windows may result in increased cold drafts, poor insulation, and water damage. This can be particularly troublesome during cold Pittsburgh winters.
The best way to address these problems is to replace the windows. On average, window replacements can cost between $4,252 and $13,554 in Pittsburgh. Therefore, it’s essential to find the best professionals for the job. Look up Pittsburgh replacement windows to find a service provider suitable to your needs.
Add a New Coat of Paint
Sometimes, all you need to make your home look brand new is a fresh coat of paint. Moreover, repainting the exterior can help protect your home from weather damage, insects, dust, and more. Whether you plan on selling your home soon or are just looking for a way to spruce up the exterior, a fresh coat of weather-resistant paint can get the job done.
Add Stone Veneer
Incorporating stone veneer is a simple yet effective method to increase your home’s value, with an ROI of 92%. However, stone veneer can offer more than just aesthetic improvement. This addition can help enhance insulation and also make the exterior easier to clean and maintain.
Light It Up
Adding lights can work wonders for enhancing your home’s ambiance and highlighting all the unique design elements. You can add ground lights to accentuate trees and plants or install lights on the porch to create a welcoming entrance. Additionally, consider adding lights to the pathway or driveway and illuminating your home address or number plate to assist visitors.
Improve Your Patio
Creating a beautiful and welcoming patio can not only provide you with an amazing place to enjoy your evenings but also enhance curb appeal. There are many ways to spruce up your patio. You can add new chairs, cushions, lights, or some flowers and planters. Tying the whole look together with a rug or repainting the area can make it look fresh and new. If you have enough space, investing in a porch swing is also a good idea.
Add a Fence
A new fence can offer many benefits beyond just improving your curb appeal. It can enhance security and privacy, reduce noise, and protect your landscape. It can also make your property more kid and pet-friendly. Due to all these qualities, fences are a sought-after feature among homebuyers. So, if you plan on selling your home, adding a fence can help boost its value by 1% to 10%.
Upgrade Exterior Doors
Replacing or upgrading your exterior doors can help improve curb appeal and boost your home’s value. You can repaint your front door with a color that aligns more with the overall theme of your home or replace it with a trendier alternative, such as a steel door.
Similarly, it is also important to improve or replace your garage door. Not only is it a major part of your home’s exterior, but a new garage door is a great investment too, providing a return on investment of up to 95%.
Add Pots and Plants
Flowers and plants can help you spruce up your outdoor space and add a pop of color. You can plant your favorites, whether it’s flowers, small plants, or even big trees. Brighten things up with eye-catching pots and planters to pull the whole look together. If you don’t have the time and resources to maintain a garden, you can opt for low-maintenance plants like daylilies and hydrangeas.
Consider Replacing the Roof Shingles
Replacing roof shingles can be an expensive home improvement project to undertake. However, it can work wonders for improving your home’s curb appeal and boosting its value. When looking to replace your roof shingles, remember that darker-colored or mid-tone shingles are more in trend, as they can give your home a more natural look and hide any marks and stains.
Replace Worn-Out Hardware
Updating exterior hardware is a small yet impactful change you can make to boost curb appeal. Replacing hardware can include the front door handle, lighting fixtures, home number or address plate, mailbox, and so on. Doing so will help improve your home’s exterior, making it look more organized and cohesive.
Concluding Thoughts
When it comes to increasing your home’s value, improving the exterior is just as important as the interior, especially because it is the first thing buyers notice. Luckily, there are many small and big changes you can make to spruce up your home’s exterior. From investing in window replacements or new shingles to making small hardware or garden updates, the options are endless!
