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No matter what type of siding you have on your home, there will come a time when it needs to be refinished or replaced. Perhaps the sun and weather have caused paint to peel, wood to warp and crack, or mold to grow. If you’re in need of a home exterior upgrade, check out these design ideas and talk to your lender about using your home’s equity to finance the project.
Put your home equity to use on the following renovations:
Depending on the project you’re going to undertake and materials you’ll need, giving your home a makeover could run anywhere from a few thousand to upwards of twenty or thirty thousand dollars. Make sure you plan out your budget and have the funds you need before beginning any of the following projects:
- Re-paint or re-stain your house. If your siding is still in good shape, but the paint is starting to chip off, you can easily upgrade your home exterior yourself. Use a pressure washer to remove the old, chipping paint from the siding, and choose a fresh new color or refresh the old one. Some sides of the house may need to be repainted more often than others if they receive more direct sunlight.
- Re-side your home. This is usually a job for the professionals as it can be time-consuming and very detailed. Determine which materials you want – will you do a stucco or plaster exterior, replace your wood siding with vinyl, or re-side with the material you currently have? Keep in mind, stucco and vinyl may require less maintenance than wood siding.
- Add trim and update windows. If your shutters are outdated, or you want to makeover your home with a new lattice trim or new accent color, this can be a great project to tackle when you’re repainting. Take down the shutters before you repaint so you can update them separately, purchase new ones or remove them altogether. Consider taking this time to install new, energy efficient windows in your home.
- Build a porch, portico or patio. Give your home exterior an upgrade with an updated entryway. Adding a porch or patio not only gives your family space to relax and spend time together, but it is also a great way to increase your curb appeal. Another option may be a small portico out over the doorway to make a house with a flat façade seem more grand. Take this time to change the shape of the doorway and add a new, energy efficient door.
These designs can make your house look like a brand new home, but remember to keep your home exterior upgrades in line with your neighbor’s homes. You want to maintain your own style, but making your home stand out too much could hurt its resale value. You may also want to adjust your landscaping, as overgrown shrubs and trees can make your home look smaller and shabbier than it is, and a quick trim can make a big difference.
Hire a professional to complete your home exterior upgrades
Consider whether or not you need to hire an architect or contractor, as some updates could require significant renovations and it may be best to have a professional on site. Obtain several quotes, and find a contractor you enjoy working with before applying for an equity home improvement loan or line of credit. Once you have your budget set, your lender can let you know how much home equity financing you qualify for and work to get you an equity home improvement loan for your makeover.
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