The internet has profoundly affected the housing market by allowing home buyers to shop faster and more accurately for something they love. Prior to the internet many home buyers would go to a realtor or look for advertisements in the paper; the internet instead allows the typical home seller to post their house on a real estate site and simply wait for interested buyers to contact them or make an offer. While this process has become easier for the buyer, the seller is typically faced with fierce competition from other sellers in their area; since the average home stays on markets for upwards of a year in today’s market, many home sellers are looking for ways to increase their home’s marketability and value through home renovation projects. For those looking to ensure that their home sells, here are three of the best ways to increase a home’s value and curb appeal.
New Siding
The siding of a home is very much its outer shell from an aesthetic and functional standpoint. Siding helps protect our homes from winds with most siding installation being rated for winds up to 110 miles per hour. Siding also helps to prevent energy loss through heat and air conditioning in our homes; this means that damaged siding can significantly increase one’s yearly heating and cooling costs. Vinyl siding is the most common exterior wall material used in homes since 2014, yet many homeowners are opting instead for wood siding to distinguish their home although wood is typically 25% more costly than vinyl. Contact siding installers in your area for a consultation to see which siding would best compliment your home’s unique needs.
Updated Windows
Like siding, windows are a major source of a home’s energy losses with roughly 30% of a home’s energy usage being wasted on air that escapes through window gaps and cracks. Old windows are notorious for having these gaps and most manufacturers stay that windows ought to be replaced after 20 years. Purchasing energy efficient windows makes for a great selling point as an Energy Star certified window can help cut energy costs by as much as 15%. For those who feel that noise pollution may be diminishing the value of their home, there are insulated or double pane windows that have glass with a 1/4 inch to 1 inch gap of air between panes that helps to reduce noise.
Security Doors
In a world thoroughly rife with violence, crime, and danger, many families are considering security to be one of the most desirable elements when buying a new home. Since a surprising 34% of all burglars gain access to a home through the front door, providing an extra layer of security can be the difference between protection and danger. Installing a steel front door is one of the best investments a home seller can make as it provides some of the highest return on investments of any exterior home improvement project. For those who live in areas where hurricanes and other disasters may be frequent, consider installing a weather resistant door that is capable of sustaining heavy impacts from category five hurricanes. In addition to added security from doors, there are also shatter resistant window options to further deter burglars and combat disasters; over half of all home buyers said that they would be willing to pay more money for a home that they feel more secure and comfortable in. By investing in the exterior elements of your home you can give it an updated look, mitigate energy losses, and enhance your home’s security; all of which make your home more marketable and further ensures its future sale.
An astonishing 34% of burglars enter through the front door.
