Real estate investors and agents often use the term curb appeal to refer to the attractiveness of a property from the sidewalk to the potential investor. An up-to-par curb appeal adds value to the property, allowing the owner to sell it (or rent it) at a higher price.
These fixtures and improvements can make a significant difference when potential customers decide whether to purchase the property. The great thing is maximizing the curb appeal does not incur much cost. It is an inexpensive procedure and requires limited time and effort.
After quickly giving various examples of improvements that can increase your property’s curb appeal, we’ll focus on improving garage doors.
How to maximize curb appeal
The following are some everyday actions property owners take to boost their real estate assets’ curb appeal.
- Painting the exterior of your property.
- Upgrading lights.
- Adding cleverly selected plants and trees to the outdoor area.
- Adding creative decorations to your garden.
- Designing a clear pathway toward the house.
- Upgrading your garage doors
Your Garage Door Is the Exterior of Your House
“First impressions are last impressions,” they say. This is particularly true regarding the outlook and landscaping of your property.
A well-maintained property that is upgraded regularly has a higher chance of being sold at attractive prices. Since garage doors may represent up to 40% of your home’s frontage, they must project class, durability, and reliability.
How Expensive Is it to Replace Your Garage Door?
The final cost of replacing your garage door will depend upon the size, material, and quality of the door. Other factors that affect the cost of the garage door are its design, door brand, and door style. Remember that you can boost your curb appeal on a budget, so remain sensible.
First, consider whether you want to replace your garage entirely or make changes and repairs. This depends on many factors, ranging from whether your garage door is damaged to whether you want to implement technological upgrades. Then, there are design and style factors to think about. Are you aiming for some minor, aesthetic changes or a complete makeover?
When installing a garage door, multiple factors determine its cost.
Door size: A conventional garage door is 7 to 10 feet wide and 7 to 8 feet tall. A single door for a tiny one-car garage costs about $500. A double door for a two-car garage may be required, which costs roughly $2,375 on average. Some homeowners like the look of two separate doors rather than a double, which adds roughly $700 to the cost. Installing three separate doors on a three-car garage typically costs between $1,600 to $7,000.
Door type: The single-panel doors operating on a hinge are the cheapest. The more complicated and automated the door, the higher the cost. Doors that operate on an ID system or a password and are linked with technology cost the most. Similarly, the more panels the doors have, the more costly they are due to the extra material used and the complexity involved.
Door material: Doors can be made from aluminum, fiberglass steel, or wood. All these materials tend to have different costs.
Security features on doors: A garage door lock costs about $250 on average. A pinch-resistant door, which reduces the likelihood of little fingers becoming caught, is another safety issue for families with children. This sort of feature costs roughly $4 to $10 per hinge. Brackets that bolster the door’s cables and protect them from wearing out and loosening are also available.
Customization: When contemplating a home’s long-term value and architectural style, homeowners may consider a customized garage door to match the rest of the house’s decor. Homeowners should expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $10,000 to customize a garage door, depending on the degree of customization.
Garage doors contribute largely to the outlook of your property, whether that be a personal residence or a commercial property. Thus, it is also important to maintain it with time and spend money on its improvements.
What Types of Garage Doors Are Available?
Let’s look at some of the major types of garage doors.
Sectional garage doors: These doors are made with panel sections and roll upwards with the help of hinges. Each panel section’s hinges bend over a curved part of the track. When entirely closed, this feature allows the door to rest parallel to the ceiling or in line with the walls.
Roll-up garage doors: These are mainly used in commercial properties that have limited ceiling space. Roll-up doors are built without springs to avoid rust and corrosion. They tend to be more expensive than sectional doors.
Slide to the side garage doors: The name explains itself pretty well. These doors bend to one side of the garage and then sit parallel to the wall.
Side-hinged garage doors: Side-hinged garage doors are a traditional style that swings open and closed from a hinged frame on either side of the entrance. They are usually made of wood.
Tilt-up/up and over canopy garage doors: These are built of one whole component rather than sections. They have a pivoting hinge system that allows them to tilt up and into the garage.
Tilt-up/up and over retractable garage door: The tilt-up retractable garage doors, like the tilt-up canopy, pull up and into the garage.
How a New Garage Door Can Upgrade Your Home’s Curb Appeal and Help You Sell Faster
A well-kept exterior is perhaps the best way to maximize curb appeal, resulting in a higher-value estate. A new automated garage door immediately increases property value while protecting assets in the long run.
An automated door controlled by a remote control or a password is extremely attractive to potential buyers. Moreover, a new garage door not only improves the safety of the property but improves insulation. Old doors tend to be weak, as safety design has not yet developed to today’s level. Modern doors are manufactured with strong materials like steel, wood, and aluminum.
Don’t Forget to Boost Your Garages Security with Video Cameras
Nowadays, it is important to install security cameras on the outskirts of the garage door and inside the garage. Security cameras can both work as a deterrent against criminals and collect evidence of crimes when they happen.
Cloud-based surveillance cameras also make it easier to monitor your garage from any device with an internet connection, meaning you can alert the authorities even if you are hundreds of thousands of miles away from your property. You can also augment your video security system by installing motion sensors and smart alarms.
In Conclusion
To sum it up, real estate owners should prioritize curb appeal as this can directly impact the property’s market value.
Installing a new garage door and focusing on the outlook of the house or building is vital, as these are some of the first elements a potential buyer or tenant tends to notice.
Moreover, upgrading your garage doors allows you to protect your asset more effectively and prevent burglaries and other property crimes.