Increase Your Home's Value with Exterior Home Improvements(ARA) - Spring -- typically a time for cleaning and de-cluttering -- is just around the corner. In addition to sprucing up your home's interior, you should also think about what you can do outside the walls of your house. Is there an exterior home improvement project for which you've been saving money or putting off until you have the time? What outdoor project would be most beneficial in terms of adding curb appeal and value to your home?
Before beginning any home exterior projects, you should consider the following:
* Budget -- Make sure it's realistic and stick to it.
* Goals --Define your desired outcomes for the completed project. For example, do you want to increase the resale value of your home, or are you doing much-needed remodeling?
* Sources -- Consult reliable contractors, builders, architects and realtors for advice. Get tips from friends and neighbors, too.
Re-roofing is one common home exterior project that increases home value. Homeowners often are forced to put a new roof on their home after weather or fire damage. They also may be facing expired warranties on the roofing material. More and more often, homeowners are re-roofing to enhance the curb appeal of a home, even if it's not on the market.
There are several criteria to think about when choosing a roofing material. Most importantly, does it have weather and fire resistance classifications? Also, what is the product warranty? You should also consider a roofing material's aesthetic value and ensure it complements your home's style and design. In addition to traditional roofing materials, such as asphalt, shake, slate or tile, composite roofing is an increasingly popular choice. Composite shingles offer the look of real slate or wood shake shingles, but provide more durability and safety features.
Deck additions are another popular exterior project that can easily increase a home's value. Typically the centerpiece to a front or backyard, a deck is the foundation for creating an outdoor living space. If you currently have a deck, evaluate the condition and look of the material and consider an upgrade.
There are two primary types of decking material -- natural wood or composite. Composites, such as the EverGrain Vibrance Collection, offer the look and grain pattern of real wood with a 25-year limited warranty. Begin by choosing a material that will complement the architecture and exterior style of your home. Durability and low maintenance also are two important considerations for any deck -- after all, you should spend more time enjoying the deck than caring for it.
Exterior home improvement projects are a smart investment in your home. According to data from a recent survey conducted by national research firm Synovate for TAMKO Building Products, a leading building products manufacturer, more than 65 percent of homeowners look for roofing material that will make their roof better-looking and add curb appeal to their homes.
Furthermore, Remodeling magazine's 2006 Cost vs. Value Report reports that homeowners can recoup 76.8 percent of the cost of a deck addition in home resale value. And, between 72.9 and 73.9 percent of midrange and upscale roofing replacement costs, respectively, can be recovered.
No matter what home improvements you make, choose a project that will most benefit your home, one of the largest investments you'll ever make, in the long-run.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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