10 Spring Cleaning Projects to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal and Boost ROI
The sun is shining, the snow has melted, and spring is finally in the air in Billings, MT! ☀️🌸
This time of year starts so much fun throughout the community (all of which I’ve rounded up here!), but if you’re a homeowner, it’s also the perfect time to spend some time at home and prioritize a few projects that can refresh and revitalize your home as a whole.
Whether you’re planning to sell soon or simply want to take pride in your property, boosting curb appeal can make a big difference. A well-maintained exterior not only enhances your home's aesthetic, but can also improve its value and make it more appealing to potential buyers down the line!
But in case you aren’t sure what to work on first, I have some recommendations for 10 impactful spring cleaning tips to elevate your home’s curb appeal!
The Ultimate Homeowner Spring Project List to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal and Boost ROI
1. Pressure Wash Home Exterior 💦
Over time, dirt, grime, and mildew can accumulate on your home's siding, walkways, and driveway, making them look dull and aged. And while you might think it’s not noticeable, you’ll probably be surprised when you pressure wash your home’s exterior and instantly see the difference!
A good cleaning like this at least once a year immediately refreshes the surfaces, giving your home a cleaner and brighter look.
Pro tip: Don’t own a pressure washer? You can rent one from Home Depot or another local rental store!
2. Refresh Your Front Door 🚪
Your front door is one of the first things visitors and potential buyers notice and a fresh coat of paint can go a longggg way! When thinking about what color to paint your front door, however, you might want to give it more thought than just what you love or prefer.
There’s tons of psychology behind color and the color you choose to paint your front door can convey different things!
For example, a red door gets attention and is often associated with energy and excitement. A black or charcoal grey door on the other hand can stimulate feelings of safety and stability from a prospective buyer.
There’s not necessarily a right or wrong answer when it comes to your front door color choice, but it IS something that makes a difference and is a project worth doing to boost your curb appeal and enhance your entryway!
3. Refresh Exterior Paint and Trim 🎨
Along the same lines as refreshing the paint on your front door, if you’re looking for a bigger project to tackle this spring to increase your home's value and boost your ROI when selling, I encourage you to pay attention to your interior and exterior paint.
Color matters, both inside and outside, and plays a huge factor in how someone views your home. For the interior, neutral colors are typically a safe bet. For the exterior, you want to consider a color that catches the eye in a good way.
Here’s a deeper dive into interior and exterior paint choices! While sometimes a full paint job might be necessary, sometimes small touch ups can really do the trick. Ultimately what you want to achieve is a look that says, “Hey! This house has been properly maintained.”
Faded, chipped or peeling paint really doesn’t give off that vibe, so to make a solid impression on potential buyers and boost that ROI, paying attention to your paint is a good choice!
As for the numbers, it’s been reported that you can expect a 107% ROI for new interior paint and a 55% ROI for exterior paint.
4. Clean Your Windows 🪟
You likely have a regular routine of cleaning the inside of your windows, but when’s the last time you took that window cleaning routine outside?
Similar to your home exterior, you may not even realize how dirty the windows really are until you take the time to clean them and see the instant difference.
Clean, streak-free windows allow more natural light to enter your home and improve its overall appearance. Sparkling windows make a home look well-maintained and cared for, which is an attractive feature for potential buyers!
5. Maintain Your Lawn and Upgrade Your Landscaping 🌱
Spring is the perfect time to tend to your lawn and make intentional efforts with your landscaping. Start by raking up any leaves, twigs, or debris left over from winter. Mow the grass, trim the edges, and apply fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.
And to really make a big impact, consider investing in professional landscaping to make your home look like the best one on the block!
Research has shown that landscaping can boost your home sale by 5.5-12.7% depending on the type of landscaping and the home’s original value. And if you’re wondering what that translates to in a dollar amount, it’s $16,500-$38,100 in value on a $300,000 home. 🤯
So, not only will a well-maintained lawn and upgraded landscaping give you something aesthetic to look at every time you pull into your driveway, but it can also increase the buying potential if or when you decide to sell.
(P.S. If you’re looking for a great landscaper in Billings, MT my top rec is Horizon Landscaping! For a full list of preferred vendors that I trust and I’ve personally worked with on various home projects CLICK HERE to download the full vendor list!)
6. Revamp Your Walkway and Driveway 🌸
While you're maintaining your lawn and upgrading your landscaping, go ahead and revamp your walkway or driveway too!
Cracks and stains in your driveway or walkway can be SO common and they’re one of those things as homeowners that we can easily grow to ignore and may not even notice since we see them everyday.
But to a visitor or a potential buyer, they can be an eyesore and they’re worth repairing! You can do this with patching products or resealing asphalt surfaces. If you have a stone or brick walkway, make sure all pieces are level and intact.
Additionally, adding pathway lighting can also enhance safety and visual appeal, especially in the evening!
7. Upgrade Outdoor Lighting 💡
Speaking of lighting, now’s a good time to inspect your outdoor lighting and either replace bulbs OR update your outdoor lighting situation altogether!
Good outdoor lighting not only enhances curb appeal, but also improves safety and security.
Replace outdated or broken light fixtures with modern designs, and consider adding solar-powered pathway lights, lanterns, or sconces to illuminate your home’s best features at night.
8. Declutter and Organize Overlooked Spaces 🗑️
Nothing says spring cleaning quite like renting a huge dumpster and decluttering and organizing your home as a whole, but especially those outdoor spaces that tend to get overlooked as the years go on.
Think about it… if you have a shop, garage, or shed, there’s a goooddd chance that it’s been doubling as a storage unit and there’s tons of things in there that simply need! to! go!
Use this time of year to clear out those spaces, toss or donate what you don’t need or use anymore, and organize the items that you do.
Now’s also a good time to arrange outdoor furniture neatly and consider adding decorative elements like a seasonal wreath or a cozy outdoor rug!
9. Inspect and Clean Gutters 🪜
While you’re outside, take the time to inspect and clear clogged or overflowing gutters. Leaving these unattended can lead to water damage and create an unkempt appearance.
Clean out leaves and debris, and ensure downspouts direct water away from your home’s foundation. If your gutters are old or sagging, replacing them can add both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
10. Inspect and Clean Your Deck or Patio 🧹
Lastly, you know all of those backyard barbecues you’ve been dreaming about? It’s almost time to bring those to life, but not until your deck or patio is ready for proper hosting!
If you have a deck or any kind of porch that’s made of exposed wood, you might find that the winter months took a toll on how things look. If so, early spring is one of the best times to refinish, inspect and properly clean the area.
Overtime mold and mildew can cause certain parts of the wood to rot, so you want to make sure that your space is being inspected for any spots that may need to be repaired or replaced.
In addition to an overall inspection, it’s time to bring out the pressure washer to get rid of any debris, pollen or staining that might be present.
Doing this not only keeps your deck safe and clean for you to use, but it also maximizes the value of the space and your overall home, which can play in your favor if you ever decide to sell!
And there you have it – my top 10 spring cleaning project recommendations for homeowners to improve their home’s curb appeal and boost ROI!
Now, I totally understand that some of these are larger projects and take time. I don’t expect you to do all of these at once (or even all during this season) – the point is to simply provide you with a list of things to prioritize at some time throughout your homeowner journey!
If you’re looking for a more simple home maintenance checklist, I’ve got you covered there too. Download the full seasonal home maintenance checklist to get recommendations for what to pay attention to during every season so that your home stays in tip top shape all year round! ☀️🌸❄️🍂
And remember, if you're thinking of selling your Billings home in the future, having records of regular maintenance is a huge selling point that shows potential buyers you've taken good care of the property.
When or if that time comes, I’m always here to help you navigate the selling process – simply click here when you’re ready. 🥰