Our first three tips in this series included Remodeling the Bathroom, Updating the Landscaping, and Updating the Kitchen. Today, we're moving outside of the house and working on an exterior redo. 

First, let's look at the home's siding as it is one of the most noticeable things about the outside of your home. Vinyl siding, especially the older type, can fade with age, or become cracked, warped or loose, so having new vinyl siding installed can dramatically improve the looks of the outside of your home. This might even be a good time to change the color. White is always a good choice in Northbrook as it can go with any color of shutters, brick, or painted trim. 

The national average cost for installing 1,250 square feet of vinyl siding is $7,239, while four to five gallons of paint can cover up to the same area for much less, so if the siding is in good condition and merely faded or not the color of choice, or if cost is a large consideration, think about painting. And yes, vinyl siding can be repainted. 

If the home is already painted and you decide to repaint, be sure that any old paint (before 1978) doesn't contain lead before you start scraping it off. 

Another alternative for outside home coverings is fiber-cement siding. It will probably cost around $10,400 but you're more likely to get back up to 103% of your siding investment when the house sells as opposed to only 95.5% of the cost of replacing with vinyl siding.

Moving on around the house, if you have older awnings, consider removing them for a more updated look. This trick will also let more light into the inside of your home, making it seem larger and more inviting. For porches with wrought iron railings or sides, removing this dated material and replacing it with wood can really make your home take on an updated look. 

If the porch is just a bare "stoop", adding a small roof with supporting columns will give the whole house a facelift. To save money, scavenge local salvage yards for unique columns that are in good condition. They can be repainted to match the rest of the house or in colors that will accent your new siding. 

Once your house is in sales-ready condition, contact the Marla Schneider Team to help you sell this house as well as find a new one. We have many homes to show you in Wilmette, Glenview, Northbrook or on the North Shore, as well as other resources to help you sell or buy in today's market.