• Cherie Barber
• April 17, 2018
• 3 Comments

5 types of fabulous facades that will have you inspired

It’s that first important glimpse that decides whether it’s love at first sight or instant rejection. We’re talking, of course, about front facades.

For a property seller or simply someone with pride in their home, you really need those first impressions to hit the mark. So let’s take a look at five different facades that communicate that loved-up feel.

 

1. Period charmer

This cute little worker’s cottage in inner-city Balmain had been robbed of its history: where was the original fretwork and other important period detail? On a budget of $5000 I went to work restoring that all-important character that was the trademark of worker’s cottages in this historic waterside suburb. A modern colour scheme, new timber fretwork, federation-style balustrading, plants, a $130 porch light and chrome stick-on house numerals delivered a transformation in just one day.

 

2. Front of house

Everyone knows how much a back or side deck can add to the value – and the enjoyment factor – of a property, but have you considered a front deck? If you’ve got a big front yard, then it’s a great way to dress up the façade. I went all-out with this grand addition, adding raised garden beds, a new portico and extensive merbau decking and landscaping. But you could build a modest deck for around $5000.

[image_comparison image-comparison-1=”50329″ caption-1=”Werrington Downs” image-comparison-2=”50330″ caption-2=”Werrington Downs” layout=”horizontal” /]

 

3. Finding new turf

This is one of my investment properties in Sydney’s west that I completely overhauled inside and out on a total budget of around $65,000. As you can see, the original exterior was unkempt and had zero street appeal. Apart from a render and paint of the house, I simply added garden beds, new entry and side fence, and a lush spread of turf.  In terms of attracting a high-calibre renter, which façades would you imagine might be the crowd puller?

 

4. Return to splendour

Here’s another personal renovation project – the property I ended up selling for a record price in Leichhardt. While the interior was a complete gut and rebuild, I retained the façade and meticulously restored all its intricate features, right down to the tessellated tiles, wrought iron fence and colours that highlighted the ornate details. Note the “ashlar lines” on the façade (the grooves in the render), a technique that mimics sandstone blocks.

 

5. Suburban fix

There’s actually not a lot right with this suburban plain Jane. There’s space for a car down the side, but where’s the driveway? And there’s zero privacy and security, thanks to no front fence. That’s not going to make it an appealing facade to families, for a start. On a budget of $6000, I rendered and painted the front, put in a driveway and front fence, spray painted the roof and tidied up the front porch. This relatively small investment upped the value of this property by a hefty $14,000.