UCCU: Enhancing Curb Appeal

Does your home have curb appeal? Or is it just a bit too Plain Jane? A
home’s front exterior sends a strong message about the home’s personality.
It can be a turn-off or a turn-on.

Sara Parker, from Utah Central Credit Union, shares some ways to give your
home more appeal and how to finance it.

If you want to give your home a fresh look – without busting your budget –
we’ve got some dynamite ideas to get you started. The good news – if you
begin now, by fall your home could have a whole, new sizzle when you pull
into the driveway.

First and foremost, take a good, close look at the front of your home, write
down the best and worst exterior features, observe where your home fits in
with surrounding homes in the neighborhood, and start building a list of
potential improvements. Minor jobs fall into the DIY category. For remodels,
consult an architect or boutique builder.

For do-it-yourselfers, here’s a quick list of instant ways to spruce up your

Projects under $100:

1. Paint the front door, trim or shutters.

2. Install new house numbers.
3. Upgrade the mailbox.
4. Replace rusty light fixtures near the
front door.
5. Cut back trees and bushes that hide the home’s features, or plant a

Project between $100 and $500

1. Refresh all exterior wood surfaces – this includes siding, trim, decks
2. Create a border in a front garden or by the driveway with bricks, pavers
or stone.
3. Install a new garage door
4. Repair or replace gutters, downspouts, and broken windows.
5. Install lights along the sidewalk or in the front garden.

For more grandiose plans, here are some projects between $500 and $5,000

1. Install new siding or create a new entryway.
2. Consider a porch or wraparound porch.
3. Build a 4-ft. vinyl-sided, gable dormer.
4. Re-landscape the front lawn and garden.
5. Apply a stone veneer.

According to one report, you should budget 1% to 2% of the purchase price of
your home each year to cover the costs of home maintenance and upgrades.
That’s $3,000 to $6,000 a year on a $300,000 home.

For more information, contact your nearest UCCU branch. You can find them
online at https://www.utahcentral.com/

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