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MAIN  Home Life House
Equity-building Exterior Improvements
 Need
a good reason to get busy fixing the exterior of your house? .
One way for homeowners to minimize the dip in their property value
is to invest now in home improvement. While interior improvements
to kitchens and baths are top equity-builders, homeowners shouldn't
overlook the exterior of their houses.
"Exterior home improvements add to home value by increasing both
the home's durability and curb appeal," says exterior home improvement
expert Scott Seiler of ABC Seamless. "Work done on your house's
siding, roof or landscaping can offer appreciable returns when
it comes time to sell the house."
Five common equity-building exterior improvements include:
1. Roofing - "This is a top area of concern for many potential
home buyers," Seiler says. "An old or damaged roof can cause huge
headaches if not taken care of." The average asphalt shingle roof
(now installed in four out of five new homes) should last about
15 to 20 years. Metal, slate and tile roofs will last significantly
longer. All need regular maintenance and repair to maximize their
lifespan.
Check the integrity of your roof every year, at least once a year,
more often if you live in a particularly harsh climate, and certainly
after every significant storm. High winds and hail can cause considerable
damage to even brand new roofs.
2. Deck/patio - Creating an outdoor living space is one
of the hottest trends in exterior home improvements. If your home
currently has no deck or patio, adding one can be a low-cost way
to increase your warm-weather living space. If you already have
a deck or patio, consider dressing it up with additional "hardscape"
items such as a built-in bench seat, gazebo, arbor, pergola or
awning.
3. Landscaping - One of the first things potential home
buyers will notice about your house is the landscaping. "To maximize
the value landscaping adds to your home, you must walk a fine
line," Seiler says. "If your lawn looks like you've never watered,
mowed, weeded or fertilized it, a buyer may see it as too much
work to bring it up to snuff. On the other hand, if you've gone
overboard with shrubs, floral displays and excessive plantings,
it will also look difficult to maintain."
The best bet is to keep lawns cut and patch any obvious bare spots,
keep shrubs neatly trimmed and plantings to the minimum needed
to enhance your home's curb appeal.
4. Sheds/Garages - Americans notoriously love our stuff
and we always need more space to put it. Often, yard work equipment
and patio furniture wind up stored in the garage. Consider adding
a shed. You can either hire a professional to build one for you,
purchase a do-it-yourself kit or opt for a pre-made plastic shed.
Whatever shed you choose, the important objective is to contain
outdoor clutter that might detract from the house's curb appeal.
5. Siding - Wood, fiber cement, vinyl, brick, stucco and
aluminum are the most commonly used siding materials. Periodic
painting is required to maintain the appearance and efficiency
of wood, fiber cement and aluminum siding. Vinyl siding needs
no painting, but can crack in extremely cold temperatures or leak
at the seams where panels meet.
Seamless steel siding is the only siding option that eliminates
both the need to paint and the risk of cracking or leaking. "One
of the biggest benefits of this product is its longevity," Seiler
says. "The seamless quality eliminates any opportunity for moisture,
dirt or bugs to get in. The siding never needs to be painted or
stained. The color looks as good after 20 years as it did when
it was first installed."
About
The Author...
To learn more about how seamless steel siding can add
value to your home, visit www.abcseamless.com.
Copyright © ARA Content
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