Springtime Facelifts that Add Value to Your Home
Spring seems to speak to us about more than birds, trees and flowers. Just as nature puts on a new face in this season, springtime provides homeowners with great opportunities to do the same. Many of the things you can do are simple, inexpensive, and add not only to the attractiveness of your home, but to home value as well. Consider several things that you can do as part of your spring-cleaning.
Pressure washing - Simply washing down all the dirty and grime from the winter will do wonders to make your house more appealing. Vinyl and brick will look like new, as will painted surfaces. Beware of using a pressure washer on wooden surfaces, as they tend to knock off loose paint and can actually remove the paint and cut into the wood. Be sure to turn the pressure off when washing wooden panels, moldings, etc. You will usually need to touch up the paint after cleaning.
Clean Out Gutters and Down Spouts- Through the harsh winter months, gutters and down spouts take a beating. Leaves, twigs, and other debris tend to collect and slow or clog gutters and down spouts, causing overflow which can destroy unprotected eaves and discolor your gutters. Clearing gutters of debris should be on your list of things to do at least twice per year, preferable in the Spring and Fall.
Check, Repair, and Reposition Outside Lightening- Spring is a great time to install decorative lighting if you do not have it already. Choose environmentally friendly solar lights that, once placed, require little maintenance. For existing lighting, replace dead bulbs, clean the fixture, and if necessary, reposition to ensure best use.
Freshen Up Flowers and Shrubbery Beds- Before winter ends and the sap rises, be sure to prune any trees, removing dead limbs and if your desire is to make the tree grow taller, trim the bottom ring of limbs. Also, remove any taproots, which tend to siphon off food going to the upper branches. If you have many limbs, consider renting a chipper and start a mulch pile for future use. To ensure low maintenance flowerbeds, consider a liner, which can prevent weeds. Leave enough holes in the liner to ensure plants get ample water.
Decorative Touches and Clutter- Realtors tend to agree that homeowners can control the first impressions of others. The two extremes are a problem. Clutter or barrenness are equally bad omens for home sales and curb appeal. Remember that the goal is to make others feel at home, or if you hope to sell your home, help buyers place themselves in the home mentally. Avoid religious emblems in the yard, trolls, etc. These tend to over personalize and prevent buyers from seeing through the trappings.
In conclusion, if you have limited funds for your projects, consider where you can get the biggest bang for your buck. While these suggested projects are inexpensive, they produce great results which speak volumes and pay high dividends.
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