Just like any other structure your home requires attention and periodic maintenance. Deferring upkeep or performing shoddy work will only lessen the value of your property. Be aware of these three things that can devalue your residence.
Substandard Work
If work performed in or around your property isn’t done well you will undermine its potential to increase your property value. Slipshod craftsmanship or a piecemeal renovation that cuts corners will backfire in a home appraisal, since your property receives a quality rating which is based on the level of workmanship, materials, and finishes used throughout your house.
When you go to put your home on the market savvy buyers will spot sloppy jobs and will see them as problems to fix if they purchase your home. Things like gaps between baseboards and floors, crooked tile jobs, and uneven decking and railings, will elicit lower offers on your home—the opposite effect a renovation should have.
Less-Than Desirable Landscaping
You may not have a green thumb. You may even loathe yardwork. Either way, a poorly-maintained landscape can lessen your property value. Although yardwork may not be your thing, you should at least keep your shrubs trimmed, fertilize and mow your lawn, and refresh your plantings about every five to 10 years, according to the Appraisal Institute.
If you prefer to do less, consider replacing your greenery and lawn with low-maintenance native plants and decorative gravel and stone. For even less upkeep, choose drought-tolerant plants.
Damaged or Dingy Roofing
Your roof is not only a crucial structural element of your home, but it doubles as curb appeal and its condition will dramatically impact the value of your property. A roof with missing shingles, decaying or damaged fascia boards, or patches of moss, can hurt your home’s worth and needs attention.
To refresh a dingy roof that’s structurally intact consider hiring a pro who can remove dirt and debris from the shingles and gutters.
