Owning a home in the summer means backyard barbecues, enjoying the outdoors and spending time with the family. If you have a rental property that needs sprucing up or are looking to make updates to an investment property for a quick sale, here are a few outdoor home improvement ideas that may give you the biggest bang for your buck.
These six simple projects won’t cost more than $1,000 to finish and you may even be able to knock these out all on your own.
1. Waterproof Your Deck or Patio
If your property has a deck or patio, be sure you’re dedicating the proper amount of time and effort into protecting this valuable outdoor space. According to HomeAdvisor, staining a deck keeps the wood in good condition and allows an attractive grain to shine through. And the best part is, the average price of stain is around $30 per gallon.
At the start of spring, take a trip to your local home improvement store to buy brushes and other supplies to stain the deck on your own time, making this job an easy do-it-yourself (DIY) project. To maintain your deck or patio area, you should clean, pressure wash and reseal it every year, which costs an average of $20 per gallon. Waterproofing is also essential to deck health, costing around $15 per gallon.
By following these three inexpensive DIY steps, your deck will be safe from mold, pests and moisture, giving it the ability to handle even the harshest of weather conditions in the long run.
2. Install a New Garage Door
You already know swapping an old front door for something shiny vastly improves your asset’s appearance, now use that same inspiration to give the garage a face-lift as well.
If the garage door is really loud and creaky or doesn’t shut completely, this is typically a sign that the track is warped or that the springs are worn down. If that is the case, don’t worry, replacing your garage door is a pretty straight forward project that can cost as little as $200 depending on the quality of the door, the size and the material.
Even if the current garage door works perfectly fine, a new coat of paint can do wonders for its appearance. Just make sure the color you choose for the front door coordinates with the rest of your home — be sure to update or paint the side entry door on the garage as well.
3. Trim Trees and Shrubs
During spring, it’s common for bushes, trees and shrubs to become very long and unkempt, which can really hurt the overall look of your property.
While established trees do add value to your home, this is only the case when they’re healthy. Thankfully, the summer season offers the perfect opportunity to schedule routine lawn and garden maintenance.
To ensure your lawn doesn’t look disheveled, consider hiring a licensed tree trimming service to manicure your property fully. You can also have certain trees trimmed to your exact specifications, allowing for intricate designs to really show off the house.
Of course, you can always just handle the trimming on your own in order to save money. Just be sure that you have all the proper tools to handle the work and that you’re following all appropriate safety precautions.
4. Power Wash your Home
If your property’s driveway consists of brick, stone or concrete, consider renting or investing in a power washer to get rid of deep-set grime, moss growth and annoying weeds.
While you’re at it, take the time to wash the walkways and sidewalks leading to the front door as well. These areas tend to gather grime just as much as a driveway and you can really improve the appearance of your property with a good scrub.
Also, remove any vines, bugs and dirt attached to the siding to improve the home’s general health and appearance.
5. Give the Mailbox a Makeover
Who doesn’t love to see a nice decorative mailbox when driving through a neighborhood?
Not only does it help your property stand out, the added dedication to detail will help increase the value of your property when it comes time to sell or put it up for rent. The first step is to invest in a sturdy and decorative mailbox that coordinates with the general atmosphere of your property. This means avoiding cheap, sticky lettering.
You can also give your property a sense of class and beauty with an engraved nameplate that displays the home’s address.
6. Implement a Home Security System or Video Doorbell
There’s definitely a “Wow!” factor when approaching a property with a security keypad by the front door or a Nest doorbell installation. It has the potential to make prospective renters and buyers feel more comfortable with the idea of living in your property.
The best part is that most security systems can be installed for just a few hundred dollars; then you can expect to pay $15 to $65 per month for monitoring and maintenance of the system depending on the provider you choose. However, having the peace of mind that your property is efficiently protected is truly priceless.
By using these tips, you can potentially add value to your property without breaking the bank. Visit Hubzu to find your next fixer upper this spring!
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