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As a homeowner, you know that taking care of your house is the best way to maintain its value. But even a house that’s in good working order can look drab or uninviting from the outside. If you’re planning to sell in the near future, that could affect your home’s selling price. That’s why many real estate agents put a big emphasis on curb appeal.

And if you’re not planning to sell? Making some cosmetic improvements on the outside is a great way to enjoy your place even more.

For many jobs, you don’t even have to hire a contractor to help. There are tons of DIY home improvement ideas (and some that are best left to the pros) you can implement on your property. Here are just a few.

1. Get Rid of Overgrowth

Sprucing up your landscaping goes a long way toward improving your home’s exterior. You don’t have to go wild – just clear out the overgrowth and get rid of any weeds or plants that make your property look less pristine than it should. Pay special attention to edges and corners around your driveway or walkway.

All you need is a sturdy pair of garden gloves, a trowel, and a little determination. When weeding, do your best to pull the entire plant out, roots and all. This will keep those unwanted weeds from coming back in a matter of weeks.

If your shrubs and bushes look a bit overgrown, use a sharp pair of garden shears to carefully trim away the excess growth.

2. Give Your Trees Some TLC

Thanks to their shade and natural beauty, mature trees can increase your home’s value significantly. But they need to be in good condition.

Unfortunately, trimming and pruning tall trees isn’t something homeowners should attempt on their own. Removing large branches can be dangerous and, if you’re not careful, could cause damage to your house and the surrounding landscaping.

Schedule an appointment with a tree care company to assess the health of your trees and safely remove any damaged branches.

3. Paint Your Siding

Your home’s siding gets exposed to the elements day in and day out. Over time, the materials will start to break down under the sun’s UV rays. That UV damage will cause your siding’s color to fade, leaving your home looking dingy and worn down.

If you have a type of siding that can benefit from painting, a fresh coat of paint in your preferred color could make your home look like new even if it’s decades old.

4. Clean Paved Areas

Your walkways and driveway are one of the first things people notice when visiting your property. But over time, dirt, grime, and car fluids can leave unsightly stains on your driveway or walkways.

Rent a pressure washer and power away the stains along those surfaces. Even better, the pressure washer will take care of any weeds and plants trying to grow between joints in the pavement.

Once the walkways are clean, inspect the pavement for signs of damage. If you notice cracks or pitting along the surface, get them repaired as soon as you can. Doing so will extend the life of your pavement and can even reduce tripping hazards for years to come.

5. Add Color With Potted Plants

When it comes to curb appeal landscaping, many homeowners think they need to design complex flower beds and layouts. Nothing could be further from the truth. It all comes down to finding ways to make your home and property look more appealing.

Adding a few potted plants and flowers around your yard is a simple way to spruce up your landscape design without breaking the bank. You can even get creative and incorporate different DIY garden decor ideas like rock gardens, sculptures, fountains, and other small additions to add depth and improve the design further.

6. Don’t Skip Essential Repairs

Taking care of household maintenance needs may not feel as satisfying as beautifying the outside of your property, but it’s every bit as important. Neglecting things like plumbing issues, roof repairs, leaking windows, and damaged electrical components can lead to safety issues or big expenses in the future. And you’ll certainly need to address many of them if you hope to sell your house for the best price in the future.

If you have large-scale repairs but don’t want to deplete your savings, make your home’s equity work for you. A home equity line of credit can help you access larger amounts of money and lower interest rates than you’ll typically find with unsecured financing options.  

Here for Your Home, and Your Next Home

Increasing curb appeal is an affordable way to improve your home’s value and make it more marketable in the long run. With American Heritage Credit Union’s low-interest credit cards, flexible personal loans, and home equity lines of credit, it’s easy and affordable to cover the costs of home projects large and small.  

And if you’re getting ready to sell your house, don’t think you have to do it alone. The team at First Heritage Realty Alliance is ready to help.