Exterior Renovations That Add Value To Your Home!

If you are hoping to increase your home's curb appeal while adding value to your home, but you aren't quite sure which improvements will add the maximum value to your home, you have come to the right place.

Below is a list of exterior home improvements (and their associated ROI) that will add value to your home and add appeal home buyers are looking for!

But first, why exterior home improvements you ask?

Home buyers will often make a decision whether or not to purchase a house in the first 15 seconds of seeing it, so improving the exterior adds tremendous value and can help sell your home more quickly!

Realtors such as Herman Landon in the St. Louis area are finding that beautiful homes are not only selling faster, but exterior design improvements such as roofing, siding, windows, outdoor gathering spaces and more are adding up to 150% ROI!

So, if you want a beautifully designed house now while increasing the value of your home for resale tomorrow, explore these exterior renovation improvements outlined below.

Roofing - 68%

The integrity of a roof is paramount when it comes to protecting your investment and a dated roof is not only an eyesore, but it's also a liability!

It probably goes without saying (but I feel like saying it anyway), if a leak were to develop in your roof, not only would you be looking at replacing the roof but you may have to make some other unnecessary repairs to the underlayment, structure or drywall as water intrusion is a costly one.

The national figures for a roof replacement according to Remodeling Magazine is approximately $22k with a home value increase of $15.5k (68% return).

While these are fairly reliable figures, I believe they are undervalued because there is no tangible dollar value for the comfort of knowing your roof is secure and your investment is protected.

Also, a leaking roof is not something anyone wants to deal with, especially not those buying the home. I've always felt that a newer roof brought closer to 100% ROI and buyer confidence which is invaluable.

Siding - 76% / Windows 73%

If your siding or windows are in disrepair, Re-siding or replacing those windows gives you the ability not only to improve on the appearance of the materials but the overall character of the home!

This is one of the larger investments that can truly change the overall character and value of a home. Look to cement fiber shaker siding and decorative grill windows for your craftsman homes. For a more contemporary look, check out panelized systems or vertical board and batten siding.

Replacing the standard 4" horizontal lap siding with something a little more unique can completely transform the exterior!

According to Remodeling Magazine, the national average ROI for siding replacement is at 75%, but what isn't considered in these numbers is whether or not these siding replacement jobs also added some charm to the home or if they just replaced 4" vinyl lap siding with newer 4" vinyl lap siding.

If you are planning to replace your home's siding get an exterior design together and improve your home's appearance because your home will be worth more if it's pretty to look at!

Simple changes can make all the difference too! Just check out the exterior designs below!

I firmly believe making the right design choices can pay much higher dividends.

Entry Door - 76% / Garage Door - 98%

Remember what I said about homebuyers making a decision in the first 15 seconds of seeing a home? Well, I believe this can be a big part of that (in the best kind of way)!

Many American homes have garage doors that face the street so it only makes sense that if the home has an attractive front door and complimentary garage door(s), home buyers will be impressed at the outset!

You want an even better ROI for your front & garage door? Don't get a basic 6 panel fiberglass front door and a white panel garage door to boot.

Instead do something to make those features unique and creative that adds to the character and curb appeal of your home!

Outdoor Gathering Space - ROI Varies

Creating comfortable spaces for gathering outside is like expanding your living space beyond the walls of your home.

Creating comfortable outdoor spaces will make your home feel larger, and filled with more amenities while also leaving potential buyers imagining their lives in those spaces.

Extraspace.org recommends the following exterior gathering spaces for increasing your home's value: Patio, Outdoor Kitchen, Wooden Deck, Pergola/Overhang, Firepit, Pool.

Landscaping - 120%

This may not be the least bit surprising but great landscaping plays a major role in home value as it can increase your home's value by 20%!

Whether it's a floral garden or drought-tolerant beautifying your home's surroundings is as important as the home itself!

Great landscape design is more than just things that grow too! It also involves lighting, fencing, hardscape, footpaths, seating and more!

However, you must go into your landscape design with a plan!

"The biggest landscaping mistake that homeowners make is not having a coherent plan. They decide to put a tree in, and then a few years later add some flower beds, then maybe put in some shrubs and another tree. A landscape that's assembled piecemeal looks disorganized, and that turns buyers off" - Cam Meritt homeguides.sfgate.com

If you are going to invest the time and effort into improving your home's landscaping, make sure you have a good idea of what you want the result to look like before you raise that shovel!

Summary

No matter where you start your home exterior renovations, make sure you have a plan, are considering your home's character and the ways you can improve it, and are working towards a cohesive, charming design that will net you the greatest return.

And always remember, a house that is nice to look at will always sell for more!

If you are starting these exterior renovations on your home but aren't quite sure what would look best VisioneeringHomes.com would be happy to assist you!

We equip homeowners like you with a plan to execute beautiful curb appeal through our custom exterior design services! In fact, every photo used in the post is a project we have completed with homeowners just like you!

Our licensed professionals can help you find the right design for your home with the proper siding, windows, roofing, colors and landscape design to fit your appeal! Contact us today to get your exterior renovation started!

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About the Author: Brad is the CEO & Founder of Visioneering Homes. He is passionate about all things architecture, residential design, and providing easy access for homeowners to professional design services. Him and his wife have 3 kids and enjoy an adventurous life in the mountains of the American west.

10 Exterior Design Before + Afters You Must See

In this article you will see ten examples of home transformations and the beautiful curb appeal these homeowners achieved through their exterior renovations. These exterior design before and afters range from the simple to the complex, both achieving dramatic results to help make their home more noticeable. We will also point out the few techniques that helped shape the exterior design results!

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1. Bland to Grand Midcentury Modern Exterior Design:

Keys to this Remodel:

1. Bring Attention to the Main Entry:The gabled portico clearly tells the passerby where to go.

2. Color + Wood Accents: The modern blue in contrast to the warm wood tones works so well with this home. The dark window trim and beams accents also help add some depth to the color scheme

3. Kept the Original Stone: I see more and more of this every year. Homeowners are opting to paint their stone or brick in the name of cleanliness and modernism. I believe there is definitely a time and place to paint or stain natural materials however, let this be a case study that the existing natural material can look great too!

2. Coastal Modern Exterior Transformation:

Yellow stucco get's a fresh coat of paint and some colorful accents to bring this home into the modern era.

Keys to this Exterior Renovation:

1. Entry Cover/Front patio: The covered entry/porch brings much-needed attention to the entry and functional outdoor space.

2. Lighter Color w/ Bright Accents: The white color tones down the body of the home while letting the bright colored bahama shutters, front door, and accents do most of the talking.

3. New Landscaping: Bright mulch, low-lying plants and beds help to soften the edges of the home, making the home appear much more settled into the landscape.

3. Modest Ranch Redo:

Keys to this Exterior Renovation:

1. Entry Cover/Front patio:This basic ranch home get's a fresh look with some ledger stone, modern blue paint, wider window and door trim, and updated landscaping. Moving the sapling away from the front window would do so much more in opening up the front of this home.

2. Updated Landscaping: Some fresh plants around the front of the home and carried down the front walk help soften the homes hard edges and add some needed color to the composition.

3. Large White Trim: Removing the shutters and adding some larger ornate trim around help the features of this home stand out and give it a more modern appeal.

4. Traditional To Modern Makeover:

Keys to this Exterior Renovation:

1. Expansive Windows: Going for a more modern look almost always requires larger/more expansive glass. This remodel found success with that.

2. Standing Seam Roof: The standing seam roof continues the verticality of the design. This subtle improvement really helps complete the composition.

3. Bold Dark Colors: The black windows and dark gray field color give this home an updated modern look. A few wood accents would go a long way to add a bit of warmth too.

4. Landscaping: The gabion retention walls help make the landscape usable but it also helps the home to feel more apart of its surroundings instead of just plopped into place.

5. Raised Ranch Remodel:

Check out the incredible new digs on this raised ranch!

Keys to this Exterior Renovation:

1. Complimentary Color Scheme: The modern cool blue paired with the orange-wood tones and the warm front door draw that wanted curbside attention.

2. Walkway: If you've been following Visioneering Homes at all then you know how partial I am towards an approachable footpath to the home. In short, it makes this home much more approachable!

3. Black Windows/White Trim:

The black windows and mullions make the windows appear more expansive and modern. Love it!

6. Craftsman Upper Addition:

While not strictly an exterior renovation, these craftsman 2nd story additions are difficult to pull off and this is one exceptional example of one done right!

Keys To This Exterior Renovation:

1. Squatty 2nd Floor: It's really easy when doing a second floor addition to make a home appear more vertical. This craftsman renovation does an excellent job at keeping the 2nd floor from overpowering the design by hiding most of it behind the existing gables and using the new height to continue the larger gable up.

2. Cranberry Windows: The Cranberry used in the windows help to add the fun exterior while keeping the traditional craftsman scheme.

7. Garage Front Craftsman:

Let's be honest, homes where the garage takes 90% of the home's front are difficult to work with. This is a pretty good example of how to make lemonade when your home is all garage.

Keys To This Renovation:

1. Color: The modern color that hides much of the dirt and grime is a welcomed change to this home. The old siding was looking tired and dated and the new color really helped spruce things up!

2. Materials: I probably wouldn't have nixed the brick for a full ledger stone here, but the results look great! Notice the shaker style shingle and the extra white trim used in the gable ends? Really adds some flair.

In a perfect world I would have definitely changed out the garage door and I would have made the entry as prominent as possible with some landscaping and walkway changes but overall, this is a nice renovation of this type of home!

8. Brick Ranch Blowup

Take a look at this exterior renovation before & after— it's hard to believe this is even the same house!

Keys To This Renovation:

1. Outdoor Living Space: The Patio created off of the front of the home is probably my favorite part of this renovation. I can picture a bistro table and some seating (dare I say a front-yard-fire-pit!?) on that paver paradise that makes this home come alive!

2. Landscaping: Although lacking a bit of color and variety, the landscaping is actually pretty well done, softening some of the hardscaped areas and accent the house is nice ways.

9. Marvelous Modern Makeover:

Keys To This Renovation:

1. Paneled Siding!: This blocky home was made for this panel siding treatment! Look at how the joints and color blocking really compliment the home! Outstanding! Also love the wood accented soffit!

2. Glass Faced Garage Doors: Before there was not much glazing on the front of the home. Adding the glass inlay garage doors not only help build into that modern vibe, but they also increase the transparency two-fold!

Next step would be to redo the walkway and handrail to match the home and make it a more inviting journey to the front door!

10. Fabulous Farmhouse Flip:

Keys To This Renovation:

1. Open Porch: One of the most dramatic updates to this home is the beautiful porch that was opened up to reveal the proud columns. Notice too how even the stairs and deck skirting received a decorative update!

2. Decorative Gable: The red expanse may have been a bit too dramatic without the beautiful ornamental gable peak. This decorative element helps break up the large gable and adds the decorative bracketing to help add a bit of style.

3. Contrasting Color Palette: The contrasting color palette helps bring out the architecture on this home. The before picture looked flat and not very interesting while the deep red helps bring this home to life!

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If you need help with your home exterior design projects, then you need to contact Visioneering Homes!

No matter what project you are tackling Visioneering Homes is here to help! From helping you decide the right exterior paint color, to designing your complete home exterior remodel, our services are geared to help you discover the curb appeal that best fits your personal style and your home. You send us photos - we help you design. It's simple, easy, and a ton fun! Don't spend another day designing your home without checking out our website. You'll be glad you did!

Check out this blog post to see our client's homes transformed! Or check out the example below!

Use the slider to see the before and after!

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About the Author: Brad is the CEO & Founder of Visioneering Homes. He is passionate about all things architecture, residential design, and providing easy access for homeowners to professional design services. Him and his wife have 3 kids and enjoy an adventurous life in the mountains of the American west.

8 Curb Appeal Before & Afters : Exterior Designs That Stun!

Exterior design can be challenging, but it can also be fun! These homeowners have worked with visioneeringhomes.com to help get design guidance for their home's curb appeal! Visioneering Homes is an exterior design company that empowers homeowners to tackle their own curb appeal designs. You send in photos of your home and with guidance from a licensed architect you can get online digital curb appeal delivered right to your inbox!

Check out the unbelievable before and after examples below. From landscaping, exterior paint, siding materials, roofing, visioneeringhomes.com provides direction with it all. They even can help you pick out a mailbox!

1. Colorado Midcentury Modern Before & After

This homeowner wanted a modern transformation for their dated modern split level. This home has good massing and good bones in an incredible location. By simplifying the colors and materials we can bring out the modern scheme. New low-profile, dark framed windows and a modern front door help to ground the design (beauty is in the details). Adding some wood elements and colorful drought tolerant landscaping help to bring some warmth to the overall design. Lastly a gathering space in the front helps complete a welcoming composition.

2. South Carolina Raised Ranch Curb Appeal Transformation

This is another great example of a home with favorable massing. A little color here, new garage doors and some little adjustments to the landscaping is all this home needs to go from bleh to beautiful! The added steps not only make walking to the door easier, it adds a level of interest to the front of the home.

3. New Jersey Raised Ranch Exterior Design

Another raised ranch home with a half-raised entry. Wood elements here to bring attention to the entry, a modern blue maintenance free siding and some landscape additions helped push this home exterior design over the top!

4. Colorado Craftsman Facelift

This Colorado ranch has a great arrangement and architecture however, the existing color, landscaping, and walkway left this home forgettable. By creating a visually-intriguing walkway, a semi-private patio and stone wall we were able to help bring a uniqueness to the entry. Adding landscaping to accent the new features and changing up the colors to add some weight and interest will make people slow down as they pass by.

5. Florida Coastal Modern Conversion

This homeowner wanted to bring a unique modern look to this coastal ranch with traditional stucco detailing. A new roof, paint scheme, light fixtures, modern shutters and a front door that adds a punch of color, gives this home the exterior design details it needs to stand out. Also see the different exterior designs we worked through in order to find the perfect door and trim color combination! You see how easy a single color can affect the entire scheme?!

6. South Florida Traditional Modernization

Similar to the design above, a traditional coastal stucco home gets a unique facelift to give it a more modern appeal. Replacing some of the gables with a cedar shake, bringing a color to the front entry, adding a gathering space near the entry and updating the color and landscaping bring a welcomed update to the curb appeal on this home!

7. Ohio Split Level Remodel

This Ohio split level presented some challenges to this exterior design. A strange skirt roof divide the lower and upper portions of this home and a pink colored block brings a challenge to the paint pallet. We removed the skirt roof, added a banding element to separate the upper brick and lower block and limewashed the brick and painted the stone to alter the color scheme. Adding a raised bed with some taller landscaping help break up the larger expanse of wall to the left of the home and a color pop at the front door helps to catch the attention.

8. Midwest Farmhouse Modern Color & Landscape

This homeowner came to us to help give some design to push their exterior design over the top. Some round planting beds and hardscaping balance the pointed edges on this modern farmhouse design. A new wood door, porch details, and white trim help to make this design pop. What a beautiful curb appeal transformation for this new farmhouse modern build!

If you're struggling with your home's exterior design then you need to visit visioneeringhomes.com. We can help you find the curb appeal that matches your particular style and accents your home's unique architecture!

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About the Author: Brad is the CEO & Founder of Visioneering Homes. He is passionate about all things architecture, residential design, and providing easy access for homeowners to professional design services. Him and his wife have 3 kids and enjoy an adventurous life in the mountains of the American west.