Make it Maintenance Free
Have you looked outside lately? In our real estate market, temperatures can range from freezing cold to a high summer humidity with temps in the ninety's. A maintenance free exterior is a key factor in the appreciation of your home's value.
The focus for today's home buyers has changed from what is my monthly payment, to how much is this house going to cost me? Monthly payment, utility expense, and maintenance costs required in the home are all components of what a buyer is willing to pay. Most homes that have a vinyl, steel, or aluminum siding also have an exterior house wrap to make the home more energy efficient. When buyers view homes, an exterior walk-around of the property is performed to look for dry rot, chipping paint, or other potential expense items. Buyers understand that if it is a concern to them, it will also be a concern when they need or want to sell the house. After buying the home, the appraiser also inspects the home for these same concerns and may require a remedy prior to the closing.
Environmental concerns are another reason to purchase or make your current home exterior maintenance free. Homes built before 1978 may have lead base paint on the exterior wood, window and door jams, and soffit. There are many health related concerns disclosed by the EPA related to chipping lead base paint. Asbestos based siding is another EPA health related concern. Asbestos tiles are also a "tough sale" to appraisers and home inspectors since broken tiles can never be replaced.
As a home-owner, the best rate of return items in your home are maintenance free components. A home assessment by a professional Realtor can help you determine where to start and the return for each item. Aluminum soffit, vinyl or aluminum low-e argon windows, house wrap, decking, and maintenance free exterior will help you sell your house faster and for more money!
Heather Morris CRS, GRI, ABR, CLHMS
Broker Associate/ Skogman Realty 2008
Comments(0)