Give this house curb appeal!
Melanie Pursglove
9 years ago
Hello all - I am going to begin flipping this house shortly, and it has great bones on the inside but the outside desperately needs curb appeal. We plan on replacing the siding, making the top 3 windows longer and adding shutters, replacing the door, replacing the concrete sidewalk and some serious landscaping, but what about maybe doing ledgestone siding on the bottom? Or adding a portico over the door? If we add a portico, should the columns be white or stone, etc.? We really hate the look of that tiny little ledge in front of the door, so if we extended it to a fuller "landing pad" a portico would make a lot of sense, but I just don't know how we can make it tie in with the style of this house, it is sooooo square!! Suggestions with pictures welcome!!
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Melanie Pursglove
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Does pressure washing exterior areas increase the value of the house?
Comments (2)As we're in the UK the Estate Agents (as they're called here ) are looked upon in a completely different way as they're counterparts in the US - most of the time in a derogatory fashion. Your Realtors Association in the US claim 5-10% increase in the value of your home can be achieved by hiring a professional to tend to all aspect of the house exterior. The issue here in the UK is, it's difficult to ascertain such data to make the call to hire or not and our own Estate Agents Association do not seem to care to provide such important information. I wish our estate agents were more like you're own realtors... Thank you for your response, your thoughts & time is appreciated....See MoreBest plants to hide railway wall and to add kerb appeal
Comments (23)There's lots of great ideas for plants here, but I would strongly suggest you get answers to the following questions before you choose a plant/plants. - What direction does the wall face? - What sort of soil is there at the base of the wall? (Ask neighbours or post a photo of a spadeful of soil here which will probably let people identify the soil type) - Does water which falls on the tarmac run towards the wall or away from it? Walls cast a 'rain shadow' so if the water runs away from the wall that patch of ground is likely to be extremely dry. You would have to choose a particularly drought-resistant climber or be prepared to add extra water in some way. If you choose a plant which likes the conditions you have, it'll thrive. If you don't it will probably die and then you'll end up feeling like you're a rubbish gardener. Those Spanish Bluebells you liked are extremely tough though, and should do well wherever. ...also, if the conditions are right, I'd like to put in a word for my favourite climber, the evergreen and fast-growing Clematis armandii....See MoreOur new house
Comments (10)I'm not too keen on the slate grey. I may be wrong but I think you'll lose a little of the architectural interest and it will make the house feel shorter. Either use Dulux visualiser to try it out or do it by hand. I'd either go a lighter shade of grey or a green to go with the brickwork ( I like french gray by farrow and ball which is really a green). I think you need some plants outside. If you want something modern go for buxus, you can also add the spiral ones for height and I'd plant them in charcoal planters. If you can't find any I painted my pots in annie Sloan chalk paint which so far have lasted well! I do also like the door in wood as it adds another texture....See MoreHome improvements to add value to your home
Comments (0)The financial crisis of 2008 had devastating effects on the housing market. Although the market has recovered, homeowners want to ensure that the value of their homes continues to rise. Some homeowners believe that making cosmetic improvements will add to the value of their property. However, renovations and improvements on a large scale are what increases the property value. Before you begin any building or renovation project on your home, you may need permission from building control to ensure that the work is compliant with the minimum standards for safety. Depending on your location and circumstances, you may require prior approval to begin a project, especially if you live on conservation land or your home is listed for sale. Here are some improvement ideas that can increase the value of your residential property. Build A Driveway A front garden is aesthetically appealing, but it means more work keeping up with the weeding and mowing. Adding a front driveway cuts down on insurance costs and is a convenience when you're carrying items into your house. To give your home curb appeal, consider a raised border or perhaps a few shrubs for an appealing appearance. You may consider repaving the sidewalk in front of your home in addition to the driveway. Consider installing decorative lighting to complete the renovation. Additional Square Footage Adding square footage to your house usually means a bedroom, basement, or loft conversion which increases the value of the property. Adding to the square footage of your home could mean an extension to the kitchen to include a family or dining room. Some homeowners build a kitchen extension and add a bedroom upstairs to add to the property's value. Another way to add square footage to your home is to add a room over a garage for use as a guest room or playroom. You may also consider adding an outdoor kitchen to an existing patio for entertaining. Basement Conversions A basement conversion is a significant undertaking and takes a considerable amount of time and money. The first step is to have a survey of the property and consult an architect to plan the conversion. The house must be underpinned and supported during the course of the project. After the digging, lining, and concrete work are complete, heat and lighting must be installed. An alternative to a basement would be to add on an additional room for use as a family room or study. Add a Loft One excellent way in which to increase the value of your home is with a loft conversion. Adding extra living space with a loft can increase your property's value by 10 to 12.5 percent, making it a sound investment. The height of the loft space must be measured to ensure it meets building regulations and it's necessary to ensure that the landing can support the weight of the staircase. Additional time will be necessary if a bath is part of the conversion. Adding a loft to the home provides extra living space that can be used as a quiet space for an office, a room to watch TV or engage in hobbies. The loft may accommodate a guest suite that frees up more space on the first floor and offers guests privacy. An upper-level loft may be an open space or cover the entire floor with guest bedrooms, a bath, and storage cupboards. Add a Conservatory There are differing opinions about whether adding a conservatory to a home increases the value. Some building experts conclude that the value of a home can increase by up to five percent by building a conservatory. If your garden is south facing, you'll get the sunlight all day so adding a conservatory can increase your home's value. The conservatory should complement the size of the house. The room shouldn't be so large that it overwhelms the rest of the house and not so small that it's not usable as living space. One of the best reasons to add a conservatory to your home is if you have a lovely view because it's a space that your family will take advantage of. Replace Features Replacing kitchen appliances with new, energy-efficient models, upgrading the heating systems, or replacing old windows with new, double glazed windows keep a home warmer in the winter and prevent drafts. Improving the electrical system with new sockets eliminating the need for extension leads is an excellent safety feature....See More
PROAK Complete Home Renovations
9 years ago
ayuh
9 years ago
jhmarie
9 years agoA portico is a great idea. If beyond the budget, The This Old House Auburndale House added a front Pergola to add curb appeal.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tv/house-project/overview/0,,20387317,00.html
Landscaping could also go a long way in helping the curb appeal.
delyanks
9 years agolinlac
9 years agoI like this idea better than making the front windows longer. Paint the shutters black with a bright red door. You could do this with the portico or straight across. Possibly bring it out far enough to create a porch across the whole front? The porch would be a great selling feature.
PROMZK Home Improvement & Roofing
9 years ago
decoenthusiaste
9 years ago
PROKemora Landscapes
9 years agoThis house has a lot of potential and there are so many great suggestions! To touch on the landscaping, I think it would benefit you to add some structural plants. Plants can be that last finishing touch to transform a home's curb appeal. And no matter how great the house looks, landscaping is essential!
Once you are ready to focus on the landscape, I would start by incorporating some large shrubs (hydrangeas, viburnums, lilacs, ivory halo dogwood, etc.) and perhaps an ornamental tree on the right side. It is also important to keep a balance of evergreen so using some boxwood, yews, or euonymus is a good idea too! Once you pick the structural plants that fit for you, then you can use perennials for your dash of color! I would recommend planting in groupings, to achieve a more cohesive and stronger look. I've attached some photos of our projects to demonstrate what I mean by that. Also, landscaping is really easy to plan in phases as well if you get tight on your budget! Good luck!!
flopsycat1
9 years agoMelanie Pursglove
9 years agoraineycarole
9 years agodecoenthusiaste
9 years ago
PROalexandragilson
9 years ago- PRO
PROSustainable Dwellings
9 years agodeignmyhome
9 years ago
PROGN Builders L.L.C
9 years agoYou can try something like this which is very inexpensive to make this type of front elevation change.
PROSchoolhouse Renovation Inc
9 years ago- PRO
User
9 years ago 
PROOld House Guy LLC
9 years ago
bungalowmo
9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago- PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
9 years ago nancy3303
9 years ago
PROEarth, Turf & Blooms
9 years agoMelanie Pursglove
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agodelyanks
9 years ago
Bridget J.
9 years agoYou're on a tight budget and since this is a flip, you may want to keep it simple. But here is a lovely example of what it could look like if you stay true to the architecture. (Source, http://www.house-design-coffee.com/garrison-house.html)
AK Complete Home Renovations