Work Your Way In When Remodeling Your Home

By Author: david raju
Total Articles: 78
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The number one reason for beginning with the exterior of your home when renovating is quite simple: It's the first impression that people (and potential buyers, if you're planning on selling any time in the future) get when they see your house. For this reason, it's recommended that before you jump into the "guts" of your home, you should focus your efforts on dressing up and redoing the outside.

Following are just a few ideas of what you can do to the exterior of your home to make a big difference in how it looks:

• Take a good look at your Gutters. Are they clogged with yard debris and leaves? Are they rusted and sagging? Even if the rest of your house's exterior is impeccable, sagging, rusted gutters can make it look like a dump. Take the time to invest in new gutters—and while you're at it, add some extra protection by installing gutter guards or leaf screens.
• Is your house like so many others, in that it only has one color paint on its exterior? Consider mixing it up by adding another color. Consider using one color for your home's siding and another, ...
... complementary color for your trim boards to add some spice and personality. This is sure to make your home stand out from the rest.
• Check out your roof. It provides shelter for your home and is a huge factor in how your house looks from the outside. If there are any leaks or broken shingles, take the time to replace them now. And if your roof needs to be completely replaced, consider investing in rubber roofing for its durability.
• If your home could use a fresh coat of paint but you can't afford to have an all-over paint job done, consider replacing or repainting the front door. The front door is the focal point of your house, and if it looks drab or old, then it's going to make your entire home feel drab and old. Have a neutral-colored home? Think about painting your front door a bright red to add a pop of color to your house's overall feel and look.
• If you have a carport, consider investing in turning that baby into a full-fledged garage. When (and if) you do choose to put your house on the market, potential buyers will certainly be pleased with having a garage over an open carport.

Regardless of what you plan on doing to your home's exterior, be sure to thoroughly research any project you're thinking about taking on before jumping in headfirst. That being said, where do you think you'd want to start when redecorating your home's exterior?

David is a freelance writer who covers a variety of home improvement topics, like Gutters, gutter repair and installing gutter guards.