The important of the first impression in huge when it comes to selling your home. You don't want to have buyers approaching your home with a negative impression. The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers will see while they approach.
A few simple adjustments can make a world of a difference, here is an article which can help turn your home's exterior from negative to positive first impressions with just a little work.
published on Coldwell Banker - Real Estate Matters website
It will come as no surprise to established homeowners that there can be many routine costs involved in keeping the exterior of your home looking its best. The windows, driveway, and any fencing or decking are some of the more obvious areas that need periodic review and maintenance in order to provide a homeowner with years of trouble-free service. In the extremes of our Canadian climate, materials used on the exterior of your home can degrade without routine maintenance in a relatively short time. An 'ounce of prevention' now can help you avoid costly replacement costs later.
Prospective homebuyers should also take a look past the initial excitement and expectation of a 'perfect property' and spend a little time considering what kind of exterior maintenance that property will require in the future. It is important to do an evaluation of the materials used in the construction of the outside of a home, since down the road all the costs of repair or maintenance could have a significant impact on the value of that property. For example, you should consider how much wood is used on the exterior versus lower maintenance alternatives such as concrete patios, brick facings and vinyl siding or windows.
When inspecting the exterior of a home, start with a close look at all the wooden components such as doors, windows and sills, trim, decks, and fences. Is there any evidence of rot beneath the existing paint? Was this caused by long term exposure to the elements or are there other factors in play, such as a water leak? Unpainted wood can crack or rot in a matter of a few years; even pressure-treated 'green' lumber may only last a decade. To prevent this, paints, stains, and sealers can be applied to wood surfaces to protect from the elements and UV rays. What's the right choice? It depends on your priorities. Sealers and stains do a good job protecting wood and fade gradually. The colour fades more quickly than paint, so you can expect to apply stain more frequently. The good news is, you can apply new stain applications on top of previously stained surfaces, so it's much easier to maintain.
Paint can provide heavier coverage and stronger colours, but it also tends to flake and peel as it wears. The arduous task of burning, sanding or scraping away old paint makes a new paint job very time-consuming for the do-it-yourselfer and very expensive to contract out. Many homeowners are opting to apply maintenance free vinyl siding over clapboard walls to solve their painting dilemmas once and for all.
Your exterior checklist should also include the brick finishes. Is there evidence of crumbling mortar between the bricks? While some small holes are intentionally made in the brick's mortar to allow a house to "breath", larger areas of loose or crumbling mortar will need to be re-pointed. Is there any evidence of white efflorescence on the bricks of the chimney? This can be a danger sign that the chimney is not properly venting. Are downspouts and drainpipes in good repair, or is there evidence of water accumulating around the foundation? You should also inspect the foundation for cracks and settling damage that may need repair. What about the driveway and walkway? Asphalt drives should be patched and resealed every year to extend their life and improve their appearance.
Keeping an eye on a property's maintenance needs and dealing with them promptly can ensure years of enjoyment for a minimal cost. If you have any questions or concerns about maintaining your current property, or a future home, talk to your Coldwell Banker professional.
