Selling a home in the Philadelphia area nowadays requires the homeowner to really think critically and plan ahead. Some questions you should ask are: What are homebuyers looking for currently? How can I get my house to catch their attention online, where most buyers look first? How can I make my house so appealing that buyers will pay what I ask? At M&K Renovations, we can help you answer many of these questions. 

Curb appeal used to mean just making your house look great from the road. Now it means making it look great online, too. Many buyers search through websites with thousands of houses on the market. You need to make your house look good in the picture so people will click to learn more.

The exterior includes things like the roof, siding, windows, garage door, front door, landscaping, hardscaping, and outdoor lighting. Some improvements may be simple, like power washing your siding if it’s fairly new and in good repair. Others may require financial investment and professional help. Consider any of these changes you may need:

Roof: If your roof was installed correctly, an asphalt shingle roof should last between 15 and 30 years. Metal roofs last even longer. But all roofs need regular maintenance. Have it inspected by a trusted roofing company, one with testimonies of many happy customers in the area. A disreputable company could recommend improvements you don’t need. At M&K, as homeowners ourselves, we treat our customers as we would want to be treated and give fair and honest free consultations. A new roof is definitely a big selling point, but if your roof is still in great condition, you may be better off spending the money in another area.

Windows: Modern windows have a 15-30 year lifespan as well, but they also need some upkeep. If you are experiencing drafts near your windows, if you’ve had water damage, or if you have trouble opening and closing windows, at least some need to be replaced, but it’s usually better to do them all at once. If they are functioning well, you may only need to paint the trim and maybe add shutters. Shutters or contrasting color trim around windows really catch the eye and improve curb appeal.

Siding: Clean your siding and check for any damage or warping. You could even consider replacing a portion of siding with stone veneer. This upgrade has a great return on investment. If your siding has signs of aging, consider new siding which also has great ROI.

Hardscapes: Buyers like to see smooth driveways and attractive, functional walkways. You can create a powerful look with a walkway and landscaping combination that complements your home. If you have an old farmhouse-style home, a meandering walkway through a cottage garden would look fabulous. If you have a conservative brick home, a straight walkway with boxwood bushes complements the traditional look.

Front door, garage: Your front door needs to be truly inviting. A new door is a small investment with a big return. A new garage door in an appealing color also has great ROI, because it’s a large feature whose color and design greatly affect the look of the house.

 Lighting: Create inviting lighting that adds safety when approaching the door at night, including lighting on the walkway. Good lighting around the house and driveway also makes homeowners feel safer, deterring possible prowlers.

These are the major exterior upgrades you should consider when you’re looking to add value to your home in order to help your house sell quickly and at a great price. For a checklist of things you can do that are divided into easy and free, modest cost, and bigger projects, read A Checklist for Getting Your Home Ready to Sell. For interior projects that add value, read Interior Renovations that Add Value to Your Home.  

Contact us at M&K Renovations at (610) 353-2895 for a consultation to discuss what exterior projects might make the most impact. Our professionals will examine your exterior and evaluate what repairs or upgrades may be best, then collaborate with you, our designers, and our building experts to develop a plan to help you get the most value out of your renovations.

Summers in Southeast PA often come with torrential storms. Now is a great time to check your windows to make sure you can keep the rain out and protect your home from moisture damage. 

Regular maintenance and inspection

If you have heavy curtains or blinds, you may not look too closely at your windows very often. But over time, the upper sash can slip down just a crack, especially if the windows aren’t kept locked, allowing rain and wind to blow in. 

As you give your windows a good cleaning this spring, take note of any problems – loose pieces, windows that do not open easily, panes whose caulking is beginning to peel. Sometimes the window latches wear or break, which not only allows an upper sash to slip down, it allows potential thieves to slip in! So always check those latches to make sure they’re properly operating. 

Check for peeling paint around your windows, cracks, or loose sashes. Try to feel around the edges of your window panes and around the outer edge of the trim against the wall for a draft. This is a signal that your window or the sashes are not fitting well and could be letting in moisture. Certainly, they are letting out your a/c and heat. 

It’s great to open the windows and let the fresh air in every now and then, even if you have central air, so check your screens for holes and tears. 

Signs you may need to replace some windows

Any windows that you have trouble opening and closing may have some damage that is causing the frames to swell or twist. If they are not operating properly, there may also be damage around the framing or walls as moisture can seep in. It’s important to have a professional take a look.

If your energy bills seem to be high and you’re feeling a draft around any of the windows, they either need to be repaired or replaced. Condensation on your windows or between double panes is another sign that there is a crack or leak that’s letting air and moisture in.

If you’ve had storm damage, you probably don’t want to leave those windows in. Often, homeowners’ insurance will cover replacements from storm damage that is covered by the policy. 

Single-pane and double-pane windows can let noise in from the outside. If your area has gotten noisy since you had your windows installed, you may want to consider replacing them with more modern, energy-efficient windows that can absorb sound waves and keep the inside of your home quieter.

Fixing the problem

You may not have to have all your windows replaced, although many people like to do them all at once so they will all last the same amount of time. However, if your budget doesn’t allow a complete replacement, you should still look into fixing or replacing the ones that are aging. The more time you wait, the more moisture they will allow in. This will cause more damage to your home, resulting in a much bigger problem. 

At M&K Renovations, we work with our clients to solve their problems while they’re small to protect their biggest investment. Give us a call from anywhere in the Philadelphia area at (610) 353-2895. We can come out and evaluate your windows and help you decide what’s best for you, your home, and your budget.