Tag: custom house

Our Top Family-Friendly House Plans

Custom home design

When your family is growing or the kids are getting older, there comes a point when you just know you need more space — and sooner rather than later. Whether it’s too many hands going in and out of the fridge in a small kitchen, the need for more separation (i.e. peace and quiet) between the primary suite and the other bedrooms, or not enough outdoor space to relax and let the kids run free at the same time, there’s bound to be at least one nagging sticking point about your current home as your family expands.

We get it. That’s why we design house plans that are wide open, spacious on the inside and out, and can comfortably accommodate all your family members now and into the future.

If you’re looking for a new home to that will grow with your family, there are a couple of features you should always look for.

Top Features for Family-Friendly House Plans

Flex Space: Whether you need a dedicated space for homework, a game room for teens, or a serene yoga room for yourself, it’s critical to have a bit (or a lot) of extra space that can be configured in any way you need, and can change in the future.

Open Living Area: One way to make sure growing families spend time together is to have enough space to accommodate everyone in one area. Whether it’s for a sit-down family dinner or a low-key movie night, memories are made when you’re together.

Spacious Primary Suite: Between work and family, you’ve got a lot going on. Hang on to your sanity with a private, spa-like retreat. Whether you prefer your primary bedroom suite to be upstairs or down, it should be large and luxurious so that you get the peace of mind and rest you deserve.

Lots of Storage: With people (especially kids!) come things. Our house plans feature large closets in bedrooms and hallways, spacious and functional laundry rooms, garages with extra space, and second-floor bonus rooms that are perfect as simple storage. Whatever it is that you have, our plans have a place for it.

Here are our top three family-friendly house plans:

Selwyn Park – Designed for Active Families

4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths | 3-Car Garage | 2,906 Sq. Ft.

This beautiful home has all the bases covered for an active family of any size. The kitchen and living room are open concept, and flow right into a dedicated dining space that’s flooded with natural light. Whether it’s weekday breakfast or a holiday dinner, meals will always feel special here. The covered back porch extends almost the entire width of the home, providing ample space for outdoor living and play. For holidays and family celebrations, the spacious and completely private guest suite has an attached bath. Upstairs, two additional bedrooms are separated by a central bathroom with dual vanities. The optional bonus room is perfect for playtime, gaming, or kids’ movie nights.

Wood Hollow – Warm and Welcoming

4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2,436 Sq. Ft.

This refined farmhouse cottage is reminiscent of a bygone era, but updated with a modern layout and beautiful details that make this floor plan a favorite for today’s families. With its high-pitched roof, board and batten siding, and welcoming front porch, it’s easy to feel like you belong here. The open design is perfect for both busy mornings and relaxing evenings. The first-floor primary suite offers convenience and luxury, while the upstairs bedrooms inspire peace and quiet. A large, optional bonus room can be a recreation area, home gym, or an extra storage space.

Haddington – Classic Style That Delivers

4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 2-Car Garage | 2,300 Sq. Ft.

A modern farmhouse design that’s a family favorite, the Haddington has everything you’re looking for in a new home. Whether you’re hosting just your immediate family, or guests and relatives for holidays and celebrations, this home is built for any occasion. The elegant foyer opens up into a soaring living room with beamed ceilings, which flows right into the dining area and kitchen, complete with oversized island. Continue with the flow of the home and you’ll find yourself relaxing on a covered back porch with a beautiful vaulted ceiling. Back inside, the first-floor primary suite offers a serene escape, while children and guests occupy themselves upstairs.

If you’re ready to make the leap from a house that just feels “OK” to an extraordinary home that will grow with you for years, explore these three house plans and the many more that Frank Betz Associates offers. This might just be the best move you’ve ever made.

Kitchen Designs Perfect for Family Gatherings

Interior Design

If you’ve ever envisioned your “perfect home,” you’ve probably thought a lot about the kitchen. After all, this is the room where you jumpstart your day, unwind in the evening, and cook and enjoy meals. Perhaps most importantly, though, this is the place in your home where you gather with family and friends. For these reasons, the layout and features of a kitchen are especially important. While it must be functional, this space should also be supremely inviting.

Popular Kitchen Designs for Entertaining

Large Kitchen Island

A large island is probably the most important (and most aesthetically pleasing) feature we include in a kitchen that’s meant for people to come together. A meal prepping station, serving station, and gathering place all in one, an island is a multi-purpose feature that adds function and style to your kitchen. In many of our designs, the sink is placed in the kitchen island facing out across the living area, so that you can continue working without ever turning your back on your family or your guests.

See the large kitchen island in the Aspen Ridge home plan.

Keeping Room or Breakfast Room

A keeping room is a comfortable space just off the kitchen complete with a hearth where family or guests can keep you company while you’re preparing meals, without getting in the way. The history of the keeping room goes back to colonial America, when the home’s fireplace was used for both cooking and keeping warm. Home designers today have reimagined this room in new and different ways. You’ll often find a breakfast room just adjacent to the kitchen — a modern version of the keeping room where your family can gather for a more intimate breakfast or meal.

See the vaulted keeping room in the Tuxedo Park home plan.

Open to the Family Room

When the family gathers for holidays or special events, no one wants to feel left out because they need to prepare food, or because they want to relax on a comfortable couch. The best design for family gatherings is one where the kitchen is fully open to the family room, so that the entire family can enjoy special moments together. Opt for a space that’s large enough to create multiple seating arrangements, leaving room for everyone to gather around the table or island to sing Happy Birthday or give a toast.

See the open-concept kitchen and living space in the Hanover Pointe home plan.

The kitchen is the heart of your home, and where your best family memories will be made. Choose a warm, welcoming space that accommodates everyone, while keeping you at the center of it all. Learn more about our made-for-gathering kitchen designs.

Best-Selling Home Plans of 2021

Custom home design

As 2021 winds down, we are looking back at a few of our most popular home plans of the year. There was definitely a preference for large-scale, open-concept living and plans that included a dedicated space for everyone in the family, and every activity. Bonus rooms, flex space, full guest suites, and expansive outdoor living spaces topped the list for many of our customers. Aesthetically, the Modern Farmhouse was the big winner, along with exteriors loaded with nuance and visual interest.

Best-Selling House Plans of 2021

Chestnut Pointe

4 Bedrooms
3 Baths
2 Stories
3-Car Garage
2,823 Square Feet

With Modern Farmhouse-style still commanding the attention of designers and home buyers alike, Chestnut Pointe was one of our best-selling house plans of 2021, and demand for it continues into next year. With open, light-filled interior spaces, a wide front porch, and expansive dormers, this house feels like home from the moment you step in. Delightful design touches like beamed ceilings in the great room and boxed bay windows in the owner’s suite make living here feel like an act of indulgence.

Shaker Heights

4 Bedrooms
4 Baths
2 Stories
2-Car Garage
3,009 Square Feet

This classic farmhouse-style home has everything the modern family needs to live, entertain, work, and thrive. With smart, flexible rooms throughout, open spaces that invite gathering, a deluxe owner’s suite, and outdoor living that rivals the indoors, this beautiful home has style that will last a lifetime.

Haddington

4 bedrooms
2.5 Baths
2 Stories
2-Car Garage
2,300 Square Feet

Bright, airy, and open, the Haddington has a classic, open-concept layout that encourages gathering in multiple places — be it the welcoming front porch, the large living/dining room combination, or around the kitchen island. The first-floor owner’s suite is tucked away and easy to navigate, while each of the upstairs bedrooms offers quiet and privacy. This home design features an optional upstairs bonus room — perfect for multi-functional use.

Bristol Walk

4 Bedrooms
4.5 Baths
2 Stories
3-Car Garage
3,045 Square Feet

Visually stunning both inside and out, Bristol Walk is a show-stopper. With complex roof lines and a mix of exterior materials including painted brick, fieldstone, and vertical siding, you will love pulling up to your home every day. Inside, a wall of sliding glass doors across the grand room and dining room give access to a vaulted covered porch and a covered outdoor dining room, with space for a grill. The master suite occupies a private wing of the first floor, with a guest suite occupying the other. Upstairs, along with the secondary bedrooms, there’s an open loft area as well as an optional bonus room above the garage. With this house plan, there’s room for everything — and everyone — special in your life.

These home plans were some of our best sellers of 2021, and we fully expect their classic styling to buoy their popularity into the new year and beyond. Please contact us to learn more about any of these beautiful home plans.

The FAQs of Choosing a New House Plan

Custom home design

You’ve heard there’s no place like home, but the truth is, there’s no place like YOUR home, and you want to learn as much as possible before you begin building one. If you’re thinking of purchasing a house plan, or are about to start the process, you’ve probably got questions. Because we want to provide you with as much information as possible, we compiled the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

We see a plan we love but want to make changes. Can we modify a plan?

Yes, it is common for customers to choose a stock house plan and modify it to suit their needs. Purchasing a pre-designed stock house plan saves you money while still getting the design expertise and knowledge you would from a custom plan. The choice of a stock house plan saves time and money because most of the work is already complete. To modify a plan, come up with a “wish list” of changes and email it to us at modify@frankbetz.com and we’ll send a quote to you.

What if I need the plan flipped and the garage on the opposite side?

With modern CADD (computer-aided design) systems, producing drawings and documents either right-reading or reversed is a very simple task and is readily available.

Do you design custom homes, too?

The design process is what we do best! Our vast knowledge and experience makes Frank Betz Associates the best choice for conceptual design whether it’s a one-of-a-kind custom design or a speculative design. Even if you have drafting or CADD capabilities, we would really like to produce the design concepts. Floor plan design, elevation design — we do it all.

How much does it cost to build a house plan?

The price of building a plan varies greatly based on the location and materials used. We recommend consulting with a local builder or real estate professional about the cost-per-square-foot in your area.

How much does it cost to buy a house plan?

Pricing for stock plans is at the discretion of the plan owner; however, within the industry, pricing for similar products from one designer source to another is fairly consistent.

How is the square footage calculated on a house plan?

Designers and architects all calculate square footage differently. Some include exterior materials and volume space; others do not. Different architects may have differing square footage totals for the same plan. Also, certain tradesmen and sub-contractors will have their own method of calculating square footage related to their individual trade and scope of work. Our square footage calculations are made from outside the exterior frame wall and only include heated spaces.

I love the floor plan but do not like the front of the home. Is there anything we can do?

It is relatively easy to change the exterior style of a particular design, within reason. Not all styles are architecturally correct for every plan, but that is typically left up to the discretion of the designer or architect to decide. We encourage our customers to find a floor plan that suits their needs, and if the exterior is not to their liking we will work with them to create a pleasing exterior.

Do you post pictures of your finished house plans?

Photography legitimizes our house plans. It is comforting to prospective buyers to know that someone else has experienced using the plans and has built a house based upon them. Graphically, it is so important to see pictures because some people cannot easily visualize the final structure. It is a huge benefit to work with someone who can see/think in “three dimensions” and visualize what the outcome will be. It is a must for someone wanting a career in this business!

We depend on our customers to send in pictures of our finished house plans. If we have pictures available for any house plan, they will be on our website! Make sure you check our Gallery for extra pictures as well!

Do your plans meet local building codes?

Building codes change from one area to another. It is of utmost importance to check with the permitting department or code enforcement officers in your area before starting a project. When a customer is purchasing a stock house plan, it may need to be modified to meet your local building code.

How expensive is it to modify a plan?

Modifications are strictly a “time spent” issue — the more involved the request for changes are, the more they will cost. When you begin to make a change to the plans — no matter how involved — you introduce the need for human assessment, which adds to the expense.

Still have questions? Contact us — we’d love to help!

Small House Plans that Pack a Punch

Features

For many of us, our dream home is a grand house with more than enough space for everyone in our lives to spread out. There are rooms to accommodate every person, guest, hobby, and pet, and a large outdoor space where our kids can run free. It’s a beautiful dream that can easily become a reality with the right house plan.

And then, there are those of us who relish in the small and cozy, in spaces that bring family members together, and places we can clean in under an hour on a Saturday morning. That’s the beauty of living small.

In this article, we’ll share some of the top reasons people choose to build small (under 2,000 square feet), and a few of our coziest house plans from our extensive design collection.

1) More Affordable

Not only are smaller homes more affordable to build, they are much more economical in terms of energy usage. The smaller footprint combined with modern, energy-saving systems and appliances can lower your utility bills significantly. That means more money in your pocket to save, travel, or upgrade your home (more on that in a moment).

A smaller home is also less expensive to maintain. There is less square footage inside, and not as much surface space (like roof and siding) outside, so when it comes to repairing or replacing worn out materials, it will cost much less.

2) Faster Build Time

The smaller the home, the faster the build. The build time for an average-sized new home (about 2,657 square feet, according to U.S. Census Bureau data), is about one year. In that case, homes under 2,000 square feet could take as little as 6-9 months to build, all depending on your builder partner. No matter the exact number of days, the smaller, the faster, which is perfect if you have time constraints that cannot be changed.

3) Build in More Places

When you’re small, you can be nimble. The same is true for homes. When you build small, your home can fit in more places, including the most desirable neighborhoods with the most amenities. If there’s an area that you’ve fallen in love with, but it’s densely populated and existing homes or even condos are priced too high, consider grabbing a small plot of land and building new.

4) More Money for Upgrades

When you have a smaller space, you can deck it out with top-of-the-line finishes and materials. Tap into the money you saved building a smaller home and use it for upgrades such as marble countertops, solid hardwood floors, trendy wallpaper for accent walls, and anything else you wish.

5) Bring Family Together

In a cozier home, you can feel more connected to those you live with. See and hear your kids playing in the great room while you make dinner, gather round the fireplace for game nights or cups of cocoa, and never be too far that you can’t hear a baby crying. Keep in mind though, that in a home under 2,000 square feet, you don’t have to sacrifice space or style. The plan just has to be well-designed enough to make great use of every square foot.

Here are a few of our smaller house plans that hit the mark:

Around 2,000 Square Feet

Huntington Ridge (b)

3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Baths | 1,982 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

Front Porch
Formal Dining Room
Large Fireplace
Bonus Room
Mud Room

Blantons Trace

4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Baths | 2,073 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

Front Porch
Rear Porch
Split Bedrooms
Bonus Room
Mud Room

Around 1,500 Square Feet

Abbotts Pond

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,406 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

Front Porch
Rear Porch
Vaulted Ceilings
Breakfast Area

Quebec

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | 1,342 Sq Ft
Plan Features:

Bonus Room
14′ Ceiling in Great Room
Tray Ceiling in Owner’s Suite
Additional Space Available to Build 4th Bedroom

If you’re interested in building a smaller home for any of the reasons mentioned above, we’d be happy to help you find the perfect plan. Contact us to get started.

Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving in Your New Home

Uncategorized

Before long, family and friends will gather to share laughs, recount stories, and of course, indulge in Thanksgiving fare. With an abundance of room to relax, a new Frank Betz Associates home is the perfect space to host the big meal. Can you smell those festive flavors floating through your gourmet kitchen yet?

If this is your first time hosting Thanksgiving in your beautiful new home, all you need is a little preparation and you’re on your way to your best holiday yet. Take a look at our recipe for a smooth, easy dinner party:

Plan Out the Meal

We all know that organization is key, so a concrete plan will help you visualize your evening. Grab your computer or a notebook and make notes about the following:

How many people will you be serving?
Are there any dietary restrictions?
Which recipes can you make ahead?
Which recipes should be prepared the day of?
Which dishes will family members or friends prepare?
Is there something new you particularly want to serve?

Pro Tip: If you’re a first-timer, start off slow (especially if you’re not a veteran chef). Enlist your family and friends to help out with cooking and choose easy-to-follow recipes. By the way, there’s nothing wrong with buying components of your dinner from a restaurant or market. If this is the best option for you, you can always bake a simple dessert or put together a cheese board appetizer.

Getting a clear idea of what you want your meal to be like helps to alleviate stress. After all, Thanksgiving is about family, graciousness, and relaxing, so take the time to enjoy it!

Freshen Up Your Home

From seasonal table settings and a beautiful, festive centerpiece, to flowers and hors d’oeuvres in your spacious living room before the meal, there are so many ways to get creative. Freshen up your open interior by dusting, vacuuming, polishing silverware, fluffing cushions and pillows, and wiping down tables.

Most importantly, you don’t have to bend over backwards to fill your abundant space with festive flair. In fact, little touches (like painted pumpkins on your front step or entryway table) sometimes make the biggest impact. Scented candles are a timeless go-to — whether you opt for aromas like pumpkin chai or cedarwood and mahogany, this simple addition spreads happiness throughout your entire home.

Prepare For Post-Dinner

Of course, your focus will be on the fun of the big meal, but a few simple touches here and there will ensure that post-dinner will be just as easy and enjoyable as the dinner itself. Empty the dishwasher and trash bins to prepare for cleanup, and line your trash bins with more than one bag so that you have a fresh one ready to go when the first becomes full. Finally, stow any fragile items that children might get to.

Start the Party in a New Home

Last but not least, give your guests something to smile about as soon as they walk in with a festive drink. Whether you love warm, cider-based drinks, something fruity and fizzy, or classic wine with a kick, there’s a holiday cocktail out there to start the fun.

This Cranberry Champagne Cocktail is easy to make, fun to sip, and absolutely beautiful. All you need is cranberry juice, lime wedges, frozen cranberries, and Champagne or sparkling wine. Chill the flutes, add a squeeze of lime and cranberry juice, fill the flutes with your desired amount of alcohol, and finish off with 3-4 cranberries. Prepare these drinks ahead of time so everyone receives a “party favor” when they walk in.

From all of us at Frank Betz Associates, happy early Thanksgiving!

Trend Spotlight: Laundry Access From Master Bathroom

Have you ever browsed a house plan that seemed contemporary and stylish… but not quite the right fit for you? At Frank Betz Associates, we don’t just hold our new home design plans to the highest standards of construction and design — we hold our knowledge of what you want to the highest standards as well.

No matter how small, a desirable home trend can make all the difference in the look and feel of a living space. This week, we want to highlight a home feature that we’re proud to incorporate into our plans: laundry access from the master bathroom. Take a look at how this unique shift in design enhances the way you live every day:

In a house plan like Lavista Park, you and your partner don’t have to lug laundry up the stairs to get it done. With a laundry room conveniently placed off of your gorgeous master bathroom, you can simply throw your clothes into the wash in the morning after getting ready or in the evenings while unwinding. Imagine: after soaking in that luxurious tub, you would only have to walk a few steps to get your laundry… not up the stairs.

Having your laundry close to your bedroom, as opposed to on a separate floor or near the kitchen, makes a lot of sense. Easy access means less hassle — and who wouldn’t want to take the hassle out of doing laundry? After a load is finished, all you have to do is fold is up and take it right into your bedroom. And if you’re not a fan of laundry baskets, no problem; taking “trips” to and from your laundry room is as easy as can be.

If you have a growing family or are planning to start one, laundry days become more frequent than ever before. With your laundry room an entire floor away from your children’s rooms upstairs, you never have to worry about a late-night load of laundry waking anyone up. Especially when you have a newborn, you’ll want as much sleep as possible, which means keeping them far from your washer and dryer will work wonders for everyone.

At Frank Betz Associates, we pride ourselves on creating house plans that live the way that you do. If you’re ready to move into a home that caters to your modern design preferences and personal needs, we’re right behind you. For more information about our house plans, please call 888-717-3003. We can’t wait to meet you!

The Beauty of Outdoor Living in the Fall

Curb appeal

At Frank Betz Associates, we believe that paradise is a cozy chair, a warm drink, and your feet up on a crisp fall day. Who says you can’t experience this bliss on a daily basis? With a gorgeous outdoor living area attached to your home, you can finally enjoy the beauty of fall in true style — day or night.

From impromptu get-togethers with friends to mornings with a cup of coffee and a good book, an expertly designed exterior completely changes the way you live your life. Especially in the fall, when the weather cools and the scenery comes alive, you don’t want to miss a single moment of what’s right in front of you…

Covered Porches

Just as functional as they are stylish, our covered porches allow you to experience the outdoors in complete comfort. Perfect for all times of day, you’re free to do whatever you wish — whether that be host your family and friends for a fun fall meal or take advantage of your quiet time and relax.

Best of all, our aesthetically pleasing porches add to the beauty of your home, which makes them the ideal asset. The goal of these features is to extend your indoor life to the outdoors, so that you can truly feel like your best (and most free) self whenever you’re in your home.

Fire Pits

Who says cold weather has to stop you from enjoying the peace and privacy of your backyard? With a modern, compact fire pit, you have every opportunity to sit outside and do exactly what you normally would in the warmer months of the year. It may not still be summertime, but it’s always prime time for relaxing.

Style your furniture around your fire pit however you wish and watch your space ignite with life — there’s nothing more charming than a cozy fire. Do you have fond memories of camp as a child? Gather with your kids for homemade s’mores under the stars. From happy hours to celebrations, a fire pit brings a spark to your space that you can’t help but fall in love with each time.

With 100 years of combined experience and unmatched skill in all areas of home design, you can be sure that we have a plan that fits your preferences perfectly. Are you ready to live in a home that loves you back? We can’t wait to meet you and get started! For more information about our house plans, please call 888-717-3003.

Featured House Plan: Meet Tuxedo Park

Features

That excitement when you see your new home for the very first time? We believe you should feel this every time you return home, whether from a getaway vacation or a work day. A house may be purchased, but home is priceless — so you deserve a modern plan that lives just the way that you do.

Meet Tuxedo Park, an innovative plan that combines contemporary features with timeless charm to create a home you can’t help but fall in love with. With 3,306 total square feet, you’ll have all the room you need to enjoy life’s little moments — from your charming porch to your gorgeous master suite and everything in between.

This one-of-a-kind house plan also comes complete with a flex room, a vaulted porch, and an optional bonus room on the second floor, which can be turned into another bedroom for family or guests, or a specialized space for whatever you wish, whether a movie room, a home office, or your own personal art studio.

Built with a mix of classic and modern charm, Tuxedo Park first catches your eye with an old-world English elevation with Cotswold elements. Past a beautiful front porch with classic dormers that break the cornice line, you’ll walk inside and feel the warmth of a wide open interior — and immediately know you’re home.

The first floor provides an abundant, open-concept living area with a kitchen, dining, and living room. The family room is expertly designed with a beamed ceiling and beautiful fireplace, perfect for get-togethers, celebrations, and weeknight dinners. You’ll also find a spectacular master suite with a spa-like bathroom that’s specifically created to make you feel your best, day or night.

On the second floor, there are three spacious bedrooms, each with walk-in closets and access to a bathroom. There’s also a large loft space that can become anything you want, from an entertainment area to a quiet place to read, relax, and recharge. Up here, you and your family will always embrace your most comfortable state.

When you come back to a home that fits you perfectly, every day suddenly feels wide open. You won’t believe all of the experiences and opportunities that are waiting for you in a home like this… For more information about Tuxedo Park, please call 888-717-3003. All of us at Frank Betz Associates can’t wait to meet you!

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR HOMES’ CURB APPEAL

Walk down any residential street and it’s the homes that make up most of the scenery. How your home looks from the curb point of view makes a statement. It’s a first impression that conveys a lot about who and what lives inside. Whether you’re looking to maximize your home’s curb appeal because it’s going on the market or you just want a great looking home, this article can help you get there.

Knock Knock

The front door is most often the centerpiece of a home’s front exterior. As people approach your home, they’re headed for the front door. As a major focal point, you should create a front doorway that is both strong and welcoming. Depending on your door type, this can be achieved with a fresh coat of paint or stain. While well-crafted hardware that includes the door knob, knocker and even the doorbell can dramatically contribute to the overall look of your front entry way. Long story short, a great front door is a must for curb appeal.

A porch that says, “come on up.”

If your home has a front porch, it already has a head start in the curb appeal department.

Nothing says “come on up for a visit” like a well-appointed front porch. Taking into consideration the style of your home, furnish your front porch with comfortable chairs or even porch swing. Potted and hanging plants and other attractive ornaments like windchimes, a door mat and sculpture are additional ways to turn up the welcome factor in this out-in-front space.

Landscaping matters.

Attractive landscaping means more than just freshly cut grass. From the curb, is there a path leading to the door? Make sure this path is well kept and even. Trimmed bushes, flowering plants and carefully pruned trees all add up to create a beautiful landscape. And remember, it all starts at the curb. The sidewalk and driveway are also important areas to keep looking neat.

A detailed approach.

Another step in increasing your home’s curb appeal is sprucing up the architectural details. These include any elements that can be seen from the curb. Make sure that any fencing is in order, the roofing and gutters look good and light fixtures and hardware are working and clean.

Even a neat mailbox can help. These items may seem insignificant alone, but together they have a substantial visual effect.

What a difference a color makes.

Finally, and quite important, is your home’s paint. Freshening up the exterior of your home with a shiny new coat of paint is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to boost its curb appeal. Shades of green and brown blend well with most landscapes. Light and dark tones of blue also work well to instill a look of calmness. And if your home is modern or traditional, white is a nice way to emphasize clean lines.

There are many simple ways to increase your home’s curb appeal. Start by standing on the curb and observing your home from an objective perspective. You’ll be able to identify key issues that can be easily addressed. With a little time and elbow grease, your home can be looking its best to you and anyone who happens by.