Should You Make These 3 Exterior Renovations?

If you’re selling your home in Baltimore County or Howard County, your REALTOR® will talk to you about the improvements you may want to make. Some people choose to make minor (and major) home improvements, including interior and exterior renovations, to sell their homes faster and for more money. With that said, check out these three exterior renovations you may want to consider before you put your house on the market.

You should always talk to your REALTOR before you pour money into a home improvement project. That’s because some improvement projects are necessary – but others aren’t, and the last thing you want to do is spend cash that you don’t need to spend.
However, if you feel like your home’s exterior needs a little brushing up, or that you could earn more money on your home’s sale if you made some improvements, here are three to consider:

Add shutters to your windows
Swap out your front door
Build a new fence

Here’s a closer look at each – but keep in mind that some are far more costly than others are. You also need to know that some improvements aren’t going to pay for themselves at the closing table.
Related: 7 tips to sell your home as For Sale By Owner

Exterior Improvement #1 to Sell Your Home: Add Shutters to Your Windows

Shutters aren’t right for every home, but if they match your house’s exterior style, they can add a splash of style. You can typically find a great selection of shutters at your favorite home improvement store – and because they’re not attached to the structure of your home (and you don’t need any permits to put them on), you can most likely install them yourself.
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Exterior Improvement #2 to Sell Your Home: Swap Out Your Front Door

If your front door has seen better days, or if it simply looks outdated, it may be time to invest in a new one. A new door can give the front of your home a facelift, making the entire house look more modern and attractive.
You don’t have to buy a whole new door, though. If your current door is in pretty good condition, you may simply want to paint it and add some new hardware. The best part about that you can find a great selection of hardware at your local home improvement store (it’s somewhere near the shutters), and you can install it all yourself.
Related: Checklist for moving with pets

Exterior Improvement #3 to Sell Your Home: Build a New Fence

If your homeowners association allows you to build a fence (or upgrade the one you have), it can be a selling point. Fences can boost curb appeal, add a layer of privacy and create a boundary for kids and pets. However, fences don’t work in every yard – and if your house would be the only one in the neighborhood that’s fenced in, you may want to skip this one.
The downside to adding a fence is that they’re fairly expensive as far as home projects go – and you’ll probably need to bring in a contractor, which can take time.
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