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Curb Appeal Matters: 5 Exterior Upgrades to Make Before Listing Your Home

Posted On Thursday, 15 May 2025 08:34
Curb Appeal Matters: 5 Exterior Upgrades to Make Before Listing Your Home Image source: Freepik

While not all homes up for sale are move-in ready, those that are tend to sell faster.

Some people prefer to buy homes they can move into without worrying about costly upgrades or fixes right after closing the deal. While some are okay with buying a fixer-upper for a discount and working on it over time, others prefer to avoid that sort of hassle.

If you want to sell your home as fast as possible with as little haggling as possible, it might be worth your while to get it in move-in-ready condition. While you won't want to spend an arm and a leg unnecessarily, you can maximize your return on investment by spending wisely.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the median sales price for a home in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2025 was $416,900. Depending on where you live in the country, your community, and the size and amenities of your home, your dwelling might be worth more or less than the median. But one thing’s for sure: The better the condition of your home, the more you can make when it's time to sell it.

Once it's on the market, you'll want to attract homebuyer foot traffic, and that's much easier if the curb appeal is high. What are people’s impressions of your home when viewing the exterior? 

While you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, that’s exactly what homebuyers will do. They won’t give your house a second look if the exterior is so unflattering that they don’t care to look inside.

With that said, here are five exterior upgrades to consider before putting your home up for sale.

1. Enhance Landscaping and Lawn Care

A well-maintained yard shows buyers that the home is likely properly cared for. You don't have to spend a ton on landscaping and lawncare either -- though hiring a landscaping company can be a good investment.

Pay attention to the lawn, hedges, trees, bushes, flower gardens, and more. You should also ensure weeds don't take over your lawn or gardens. Consider adding exterior elements like walkways and retaining walls as well. 

2. Replace Windows

Replacing windows is an exterior project that also counts as an interior project -- so such a project is unique for that reason.

If your windows are worn and torn, it makes sense to consider replacing them before selling your home. New, energy-efficient windows are a key selling point that homebuyers will notice. It'll mean more consistent indoor temperature, less strain on the HVAC system, and lower monthly utility bills.

In addition to the functional benefits, replacement windows also have aesthetic appeal. Taking on a replacement window project before you move can help sell your home faster and for more money.

It's not a DIY job, however. You need to find a contractor specializing in replacement windows. Otherwise, you could fritter away the benefits you want when buying replacement windows.

3. Repair or Replace Siding

If your home's siding has seen better days, it might be worth repairing or replacing. Going that route can be akin to giving the exterior a facelift -- one that can attract more people to book viewings of your home.

Consider that prospective buyers might be turned off if your siding is worn and torn. It might be off-putting and cost you in the form of low offers for your home. Repairing or replacing the siding could be a worthwhile investment, depending on the state of the siding.

4. Inspect and Improve the Roof

A good roofing system is also worth investing in if yours isn't up to par. No one wants to buy a home with a roof that needs to be replaced in a year.

Get it inspected by a roofing contractor to assess its condition and determine whether it might need some work. 

5. Patio Cover

If your home lacks a patio deck with a patio cover, it might be worth getting one. Creating functional outdoor living spaces is one way to add more value and attract more interested parties.

You can up the ante by investing in an outdoor kitchen to create a place for people to gather and enjoy one another’s company. 

These are some ways to upgrade your home’s exterior and make it a more attractive property. Selling your home can be a more seamless process if it’s move-in ready. You’ll find that more people want to book viewings and there’ll be less pushback on your asking price. 

While it won’t necessarily make sense to spend a ton doing a lot of things before selling, assess your home and determine which projects make the most sense.

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