Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal and Demand A Higher Asking Price When You Sell

No one wants the ugliest house on the block and you certainly won’t command a higher asking price if your home lacks curb appeal.  You also won’t get any prospects if your home’s exterior looks bad. After all, your house features may sound good on paper, but as soon as a potential buyer pulls up to the property, the first impression they get is a lasting one and can make or break the purchase.

This is because when buyers make offers and purchase a home, a great deal of the decision is based on visual and emotional response to the property and the home itself. Homes that look good make the buyer feel good and typically lead to a higher price.

So, if you’re serious about profiting in any market, there are certain things you must do to prep your home to appeal to buyers.  By following these upgrades and tricks, you will not only increase the quality of your home, but also increase the value and the curb appeal.

Here are 6 simple upgrades that will help your home stand against the competition:

1. Pull any extra weeds out of your yard. Make sure that the front lawn is trimmed and make sure any vines, etc are removed. Ensure that your yard looks neat and free of any additional debris.  This will communicate that your yard is well maintained.

2. Add plants of various colors. Flowers are absolutely beautiful. Plant a variety of annuals and perennials. You don’t have to be an experienced gardener to create a small garden that looks nice. By adding flowers, different types of grasses, and other various sized plants, you’ll demonstrate that you care about your overall curb appeal. Use varying sizes and colors so that prospective buyers can easily see them.

3. Take time to match your interior curtains or blinds. Pick modern, cutting edge designs and looks. This interior change will look good from the outside. Plus, it will give your home a warm feel that is inviting and matched.

4. Wash your windows often and feature them. Keep those windows clean. If you have ugly exterior storm windows, then replace them immediately.  East Coast Windows and Doors, LLC is an award-winning window and door installation company in Florida. They own offer a variety of aesthetically pleasing hurricane impact windows and doors that are not only beautiful but extremely durable too.  Some of their products include sliding glass doors, awnings, double hung and casement windows, and more. Each product is engineered for style, creativity and durability.

5. Pay attention to your driveway. Your driveway may be all cracked up, filled with rocks, or dirty. Take some time out to clean the pavement, and try to fill some of the cracks in the cement so that these items are not as noticeable. If your driveway needs to be re done, don’t hesitate. You can get a new driveway for $1500 or less. Use a leaf blower to blow away unwanted accumulation in your driveway. Pull out your weed eater to chop down any weeds that are pushing up through cracks.

6. Spruce up your mailbox, mailbox numbers, house lights, and house numbers. Just taking some time out to buy a new mailbox and address numbers can immediately make the exterior of your house look better. These items do not normally cost a lot of money but will have an amazing effect once replaced. Pick a different style and see how different your house exterior will look. Installing a few new lights and placing them in the right spot will make the outside light up and look more expensive.

7. Take time to touch up or repaint your house. Make sure that colors are properly matched for a nice aesthetic look. Also, be sure that the paint job does not come out with an amateur look. This can boost your perceived house values immediately if done right.

What Are Hurricane Proof Windows?

After Hurricane Andrew hit Southern Florida in August 1992, the state started to promote the use of impact resistant roofs, windows and doors. Many areas in Florida now require hurricane-proof windows in all new homes and buildings. These windows are suggested to anyone owning a home or other structure that is in an area where hurricanes are likely to occur.

Impact-resistant glass can withstand high winds and flying debris that is caused by a hurricane winds. Some of the hurricane-proof windows are equipped with a heavy-duty frame to help prevent the home or other structure from collapsing. Having hurricane-proof windows work to prevent air from getting into the home, thus causing the pressure inside the home to change causing the roof or walls to collapse.

There are different types of impact or hurricane-proof windows available. One type is inner-membrane windows. These windows have an invisible layer of PVB/ polyvinyl butaryl that is strategically placed between two pieces of glass. If the glass is impacted it shatters but the inner membrane does not. Interestingly, it stays intact.  These windows can withstand winds up to 200 mph. The membrane is not noticeable and does not take away from the look of the home. They are also energy efficient and available in various styles and sizes and require little maintenance. The windows also help keep outside noises outside and protect against intruders. The other type is a shatter resistant film that coves the regular glass to help prevent it from shattering easily.

Before windows can be declared impact or hurricane resistant, they must undergo special testing. There is the large missile test. The large missile testing tests the window by impacting it with an object that is 6-feet long and weighs 9 pounds. It is shot at the window at 20 feet per second. In order for the window to pass this test, the window must stay intact once glazed. The other test is the small missile test. The small missile testing test the window by shooting 30 pieces of roof gravel at a rate of about 80 feet per second. The same results need to occur with this test.

Prices on hurricane-proof windows will vary depending on the type or brand of the window. It will also depend on what city you live in, the contractor, the type of window and the material that is used. There will also be an installation and labor charge for installing the windows. Even though the cost of having hurricane-proof windows may seem a little expensive, in the long run, the windows may save money. Not only can the windows help save the home and personal belongings, but many insurance companies offer discounts to clients who have hurricane-proof windows installed.

The next great advantage to having hurricane-proof windows is that the windows do not need anything done to them before the storm. As with other products, such as shutters, panels, or roll-downs that require you to be there and know when the storm is going to hit your area. Not having to deal with any of those things, gives you time to prepare in other areas.