Quick, Affordable Ways to make your Spec Home Stand Out

You will notice, if you are shopping around for a new house, that there is an abundance of subdivision neighborhoods. These sorts of neighborhoods can also be called spec houses. Spec house neighborhoods usually have rows of houses that look identical to one another, with similar coloring, paneling, brickwork, or roofing. Do you currently live in one of these kinds of subdivisions? Not feeling like your home is showing off your personality? We've come up with a few ideas how to upgrade your cookie-cutter house to stand out from the others around the block.

Garage Door Customizations

If there is one way to stylize your home quickly, garage door windows and accents are the way to go. These installments add much-needed personality to your home, and will definitely make your home stand out. You wouldn't think adding windows to your garage door would make a big difference, but it shows when you look at transformed homes. Take a look at the images displayed below of transformed garage door windows. which come from Coach House Accents.

Source: Coach House Accents

Landscaping Around the Property

One of the biggest eye-openers to make someone's property stand out is their landscaping. There are many different options when it comes to exterior home decorating. Some quick ways to upgrade are adding extra lights to the outside of your home, planting a new tree or shrub in your front yard, or creating paths from stepping stones, bricks, or other materials.

There are a number of options to be creative with your front yard. Whether mulching your planter spots or adding wall blocks for decoration and more garden space, you can express your personality through a front yard makeover.

One very common landscaping trick in HOA communities is disguising any Utility Boxes in your front yard. Some homeowners find these large, hulks of metal ruin the appeal in their front yard, so the one commonly used trick is to plant tall grasses around the utility box. Just be sure to trim this grass every spring to keep it maintained and clean. Some neighbors may share a Utility Box between their homes, so collaborating with with your neighbor is important before changing anything.

Source: ForeverGreenGrows

Add a Unique Mailbox for your Home!

In most Spec House neighborhoods, your mailbox will usually be the exact same as all of your neighbors'. To stand out, there are plenty of options when it comes to buying a new mailbox. Finding that one mailbox that fits your home style can really add personality. It's what most people see first when driving by, so that added curb appeal is a big bonus. Even upgrading your mailbox for protection against weather conditions and snow plows could be that much needed appearance boost.

Source: Home Depot

Add Something Unique to your Door!

A popular way to make your house stand out is adding door glass to your front door. Whether adding glass or replacing existing glass to your door, or if you also want to replace your sidelights and transom, all of this is possible for less money than you might think. Through our program at Zabitat, you can save money and install the glass directly into your existing door. It saves you the hassle and expense of needing to buy a whole new door. With ODL's Door Glass Inserts, you can be sure to be the talk of the cul de sac.

With a large selection of designs to choose from, you can find that right piece to fit your personality and make your home pop!

Perk Up Your Porch!

Whether you have a porch or not, decorations or a unique focal point near your front door always gives off that 'welcome home' vibe. A welcome mat or decorative plant sitting beside your front door can certainly add character to your home. Your front door can also incorporate your favorite styles from in the house to welcome people inside your home from the outside.

Some bigger projects to transform your porch could be adding porch railing, porch swings and seating areas, or new columns. It makes a dramatic difference to your home's curb appeal when columns are added.

Source: Home Depot