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When looking at increasing the value of your home, the most cost-effective way to do this is to improve the exterior. When you enter and leave a home, this is the first and last thing you will notice, so it stands to reason that it needs to look good to a potential buyer. With so many homes for sale in the real estate market now, first appearances can mean a lot. Try and be impartial and view the home as a buyer would do. How is the grounds? Is the grass cut and clean? The home itself, does it look clean and neat? Of course, not everything you do to the external area will add value, some will just be a nice touch which makes it more appealing. Nevertheless, a good first appearance of a home can add as much as 5 to 10 percent to the value. Door Appearance Your front door is the doorway into your home, so it is going to be one of the first things a possible purchaser will see. If there is nothing exceptional about your door, try replacing it with a lead glass insert door or by placing decorative details around the entry door. An affordable way to make your home feel more homely is by adding sidelights. The extra light will create space and make a narrow or small entryway seem bigger. These little touches probably won't add value to the house, but as I said before it will definitely boost the appearance and give a great first impression.
Windows Appearance
Another thing a possible buyer will look at is the windows; do they look okay and are they efficient? Are your windows double-glazed? Different types of glass for your windows has different energy ratings, so are yours energy efficient? All the locking mechanisms need to be functional and safe and the glass needs to free from cracks. If you are looking at replacing your windows, make sure these things are taken into consideration. If your windows are small and you are replacing them, think about installing larger windows to let in more light and make inside rooms look bigger. A house that is dark can feel confining, prospective buyers want to purchase a house that feels light and airy. Landscaping Most of us will admit that the outside landscaping of our homes could do with a little tidying up and this can be achieved by some nice plant pots, coloured stones or garden ornaments, but if it is totally overun, then a professional landscaper may be the solution. Work that should be left to the professional landscape architects and designers are the installation of conservatories, patios and decking, for example, into the existing landscape. Employing a professional is never the cheap choice, but if you do then you could see your property value go up by as much as 20 percent. An intriguing fact is that mature trees have a strong impact on the saleability of homes Some up-to-date nationwide surveys show that mature trees in a well-landscaped garden can increase the value of a house by 7 to 19 percent.. I have several fruitful years in working as a realtor in Richmond BC Canada and witnessed how small improvement kick started a house in the market!
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