Whats the biggest exterior improvement you can do?

Question

I am working on an old house. Siding seems like an obvious makeover to do. But it’ll cost like 30-40k in my area.

Anyone regularly replace siding in their flips?

Teri Feeney Styers · Answer

@Nicholas Field most everything mentioned above. In addition: you need gutters and downspouts to carry water away. Replacing those aluminum windows would be good. Frame the windows with wood before painting. If you want to go the extra mile then add shutters and paint them to match the doors. Also, the 4x4 posts supporting the upper deck lack "visual substance". They look spindly. Think about fattening them up by wrapping them (cosmetically) - see photo example below - painted would be okay too. Lastly - demand that garbage cans be kept out of sight (always a clause in my lease) then give the tenants a way to comply with that.

Theresa Harris · Answer

That doesn't look too bad. I'm going to assume it is a duplex from the two doors on the second floor. Assuming the siding is in good shape, I'd paint the house and do the trim, railings, etc in white. Guessing you want room for two cars for each unit, so that doesn't leave a lot of room for landscaping.

Put some simple, planter boxes (about 2-2.5 feet high) out from the house under the balcony-so you can still sit behind them. This will also allow the tenants or home owners to keep their stuff there (like garbage cans though they could tuck them under the stairs which is more convenient) and hide it from view so it doesn't look like a dumping ground. I'd also paint each of the doors a different colour so they can say I have the red door or the black door.

Steve Morris · Answer

General clean-up (ie no overflowing dumpsters or cars on blocks) and readily visible signage.

50% of tenants are still drive-bys.

Teri Feeney Styers · Answer

@Nicholas Field I'm with @Theresa Harris - post a picture and let us see what you have. However, I will say if you are asking about covering the home with vinyl siding then I vote NO!

Evan Polaski · Answer

Basic cleanup and light landscaping are the best bang for your buck. I have only resided 1 property, and painted the existing siding on most of the rest.

But ultimately it depends on what the "sore thumb" of the exterior is. My last flip had the old cheap iron look columns and railing on front porch. The original plan was to give them fresh paint, maybe cut off the overly decorative pieces. Instead we ended up replacing the columns with wood and replacing the railing with a PVC handrail. It made a world of difference, but not something we do every time.

Brian Pulaski · Answer

Is the siding in need it replacement? If it’s solid but ugly, paint it. A more modern color (neutral) and then replace or paint the front door to contrast/compliment it. Beyond that, I’ve found nice grass, nice mulch beds and the exterior can be changed fairly dramatically.

David Robertson · Answer

If the siding on the back & sides of the house are in good shape I would consider just painting the existing siding and then spend your savings replacing the siding on the front elevation & adding curb appeal.

Theresa Harris · Answer

If you are flipping, why not look at what needs to be done? It really depends on the house-it could be simply cutting the grass and tidying up, or painting a house. Post a photo and people can chime in.

Lynnette E. · Answer

Pain tit light gray and use white or red for trim. Add gravel to the driveway. Get rid of the junk/appliance collection under the balcony. Put numbers on the doors. Make a trash can shed/cage. Paint it to match the trim.

Ayne C. · Answer

@Nicholas Field

Exterior paint a neutral green, blue or gray, wood trim crisp white. This will look amazing as it is.

Then if the driveway is all dirt, i would lay down gravel for the cars, with those concrete parking bumpers to mark each parking.

If you want, you can put decorative shutters on either side of the windows.

Whats the biggest exterior improvement you can do?

Whats the biggest exterior improvement you can do?

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