Homeowners are always looking for ways to increase the value of their homes. The reason for this is simple; whenever you decide to sell your house, you need to maximize the returns on your initial and ongoing investment in the property.
Even if you intend to live in the house for life, your needs will change over time. You may want a bigger place that can accommodate your growing family; or a smaller place after your kids go off to college. People’s needs and wants don’t remain stagnant, so you should always think ahead—especially when it comes to the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make.
So what determines the market value of real estate, and how can you hike up yours?
What Determines Property Value
Property value is determined by multiple market factors, including location, neighborhood, interest rates, economic indicators, age and condition of the property, and upgrades made to it.
Homeowners can’t do much to transform the neighborhood or market conditions; however, they can make home improvements and upgrades to boost property value.
One of the easiest ways to enhance curb appeal is to hire masonry contractors to give a facelift to the exterior of a property.
The Benefits of Masonry Construction
Masonry construction not only bolsters a home’s aesthetic appeal, but it also offers various other structural and functional benefits.
Here’s why you should consider incorporating masonry construction:
- Masonry (bricks, concrete, and stone) is resistant to fungus, mold, pests, and rot. You can rest assured that your masonry structures will last decades, and will protect your home from moisture damage.
- Masonry is fire-resistant. According to official statistics by the National Fire Protection Association, 80% of fire deaths and injuries in the US are caused by house fires. Homeowners should do what they can to protect their family and property from possible fires. And masonry is your best bet.
- Masonry is water-resistant. Brick, concrete, and stone structures are incredibly durable and resistant to damage caused by the elements.
- Masonry is energy-efficient. Dealing with high energy bills? Masonry has amazing insulating properties that can help bring utility bills down in the summer and winter.
- It adds a rustic charm to your property. For many decades, classic brick homes have embodied the warmth and comfort people want in their dream house.
- Masonry doesn’t require much maintenance. Compared to other materials, masonry doesn’t need much maintenance at all. It’s a long-term investment that offers excellent returns.
If you’re looking for a way to increase the value of your house, integrating masonry structures should definitely be on top of the list.
Check out these awesome ways masonry can enhance your house’s value:
Improve Curb Appeal
Before people even enter your house, they’ll see its exterior. We make snap judgments about houses just by looking at them, which is why curb appeal plays a huge role in property value.
Curb appeal includes meticulously maintaining the home’s landscaping; every crack in the pavement must be fixed. The chimney needs to be updated to ensure it functions properly, and it must look good aesthetically too.
Moreover, adding masonry features to your property will instantly boost its curb appeal.
Additional Entertainment Spaces
Because masonry is so durable and blends in with nature, it makes for an excellent building material for outdoor spaces.
A masonry patio provides a wonderful place for homeowners to entertain guests and enjoy a warm summer morning.
Don’t have enough room for a patio? Hire a masonry contractor to insert stone pavers instead. It’s a great way to beautify your backyard on a budget.
Add A Fire Pit
Imagine being by a warm fire pit on a chilly fall afternoon with your loved ones.
If you do have plenty of extra space, consider building a fire pit an outdoor fireplace. Make it a space for entertaining guests. With an exterior fireplace, you can enjoy your backyard late into fall.
A fire pit will also help draw buyers and drive up the property value if you ever decide to sell the house.
Add a Brick Wall
Brick walls have been used to make houses for a long time, and for good reason; they look good, and they offer structural benefits.
Brick walls provide extra insulation to homes that are located in cold areas. If you live in an area where the heating must remain on for most of the year, then it makes sense to have brick walls that heighten energy efficiency.
Brick houses are always in demand, so the moment you add brick masonry to your property, it will attract more buyers.
Add Stone Pavers
Do you want your house to allure more buyers than the property across the street? Adding stone pavers to it will make it stand out from the rest of the block—without looking garish.
Stone pavers are much easier to maintain than concrete driveways, and they have an aesthetic quality that other building materials don’t offer.
And if a couple of stone pieces are damaged over the years, they can be replaced with minimal costs.
These are just a few ways masonry can help increase property value. Homeowners who are looking to make major improvements to their property should call their local masonry contractors for advice.
Masonry contractors will assess the condition of the fireplace and examine the chimney for repairs. The fireplace and chimney repairs will improve their efficiency and mitigate the chances of fire damage, smoke damage, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Improved safety measures can also help increase property value.
Once the fireplace and chimney are fixed, you can think about adding features, including decks, patios, pavers, sidewalks, flower beddings, etc.
Experienced masonry contractors can give your home a complete facelift and pull up its value. All masonry updates require is a little maintenance, so you don’t have to think about repair costs. The financial returns on them make them a worthy investment.
