Keep siding in good condition to appeal to home buyers

 

August 1, 2011

 

 

Home sellers often try to improve as many areas of their property as possible prior to putting it on the market. From the yard and garage to the living rooms and bedrooms, home sellers typically have their hands full with the process.

 

One area of their home that can be easily overlooked is siding. While keeping siding in good shape for aesthetic purposes is a good idea, the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers (NAREA) reports maintaining a home's siding can also keep the property's value roughly 5 to 10 percent greater.

 

According to HouseLogic, there are several things home sellers can do for their siding to make it look new.

 

 

Prior to cleaning, HouseLogic reports home sellers should take a walk around their home to inspect for any visible damage to their property's siding. According to HouseLogic, most homes' exteriors experience water damage over many years. Additionally, home sellers may want to check for cracked caulk in a home's siding, as well as peeling paint and chipped or cracked boards.

 

 

HouseLogic reports homeowners should use a bucket of warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled brush to thoroughly clean their home's siding. The type of material used for a home's siding is irrelevant, HouseLogic reports, so home sellers don't need to worry about changing up their cleaning methods for wood, vinyl, metal, cement or brick.

 

While cleaning can be an arduous process due to the amount of energy and time required by home sellers to do the job right, HouseLogic reports home sellers can choose to hire a cleaning crew for between roughly $300 to $500 to do it for them.

 

 

According to HouseLogic, home sellers often find black spotty stains on their home's siding when looking for damage. Generally, these spots are mildew. The key to figuring out if a spot is mildew is to try to wipe it off. HouseLogic reports if it wipes away easily, it's most likely mildew.

 

By dabbing the areas with mildew with one part bleach and four parts water - while wearing goggles for protection - home sellers should be able to rid their home of the unsightly spots, according to HouseLogic.