Blog 4 Do-It-Yourself Home Improvements

Your home is probably the largest investment you’ll ever make. Unfortunately, this economy hasn’t been working so well for the value of our homes. Let’s be honest, in just a short time, your home has depreciated in value. But, there are steps you can take to maintain the value of your home and possibly increase it. And you don’t have to mortgage the house on remodeling your kitchen or bathroom. All you have to do is focus on a few things that affect your home’s curb appeal.

Wash the outside of your home
How long has it been since you had your house pressure cleaned? Pressure cleaning can be an inexpensive way to make your home look new again. Removing mold, mildew and stains from your siding, walkways and driveway can make a difference. And you’ll be amazed on what just a few hundred dollars spent on pressure cleaning can do for your home’s appearance. And appearance isn’t the only benefit.

“With regular exterior house washing, you can prevent costly exterior repairs down the road, like rotted wood and siding,” advises Conrad Lawrence, owner of a Jacksonville, Fl pressure washing company

While many of you might consider doing it yourself, a professional pressure washing company could be well worth the money. Especially if you haven’t had your house cleaned in years. Pressure cleaning professionals are knowledgeable on the proper amount of water pressure to use on your house.

Tackle the landscaping of your yard
Without much impact on the budget, you can spruce up your yard and increase your curb appeal. Just look through your own neighborhood and you’ll probably see well sculpted landscapes along with homes that don’t have any personality. You can use a professional landscaper to create magic for your yard or work with a plant nursury to develop a free landscape plan for your home.

Tackle the front door
Is your front door a good reflection of your home? Your front doorway is the key to great curb appeal. Without much money, you can make your front entrance look new. A new paint job can really make a difference. And don’t forget to replace the doorknob if it’s aged and rusted. And once you’re done, just add a couple of plants to the entrance and you’ve got a new inviting look.

As simple and inexpensive as these ideas are, you’ll be amazed on the impact they will have on your home. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, “A good first appearance on a home can add as much as 5 percent to 10 percent to the value of the home.” That’s a great return on just a little investment on the exterior of your home.