Whether you’re preparing to sell your Cookeville home or simply want to protect your investment, not all home improvements are created equal. Some renovations cost a fortune and barely move the needle on resale value. Others deliver impressive returns while making your home more enjoyable to live in right now.
After 30 years in the home improvement industry here in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region, we’ve seen which projects actually pay off—and which ones leave homeowners wondering where their money went.
Here are five exterior improvements that consistently add real value to Tennessee homes.
1. Driveway Maintenance and Repair
Your driveway is one of the first things visitors and potential buyers notice, yet it’s often the most neglected part of a property. A cracked, rutted, or weed-filled driveway sends a clear message: this home hasn’t been well-maintained.
The good news? Driveway maintenance doesn’t have to be expensive to make a significant impact.
Why Driveways Matter for Home Value
Think about your own experience driving up to a home for the first time. A smooth, well-maintained driveway creates an immediate impression of care and quality. A deteriorating driveway does the opposite—it makes buyers wonder what other maintenance has been deferred.
According to real estate professionals, curb appeal improvements can yield returns of over 200% when done strategically. Your driveway sits at the center of that first impression.
Simple Fixes That Make a Big Difference
Most driveways don’t need complete replacement. Often, what looks like a major problem has an affordable solution:
For gravel driveways: Over time, gravel rolls away, settles into ruts, and gets overtaken by grass and weeds. A fresh gravel delivery can restore your driveway’s appearance and function for a fraction of the cost of replacement. For around $200, you can have 5 tons of quality gravel delivered in Putnam County—enough to refresh most residential driveways.
For asphalt driveways: Cracks and minor damage can be repaired before they become major problems. Professional crack filling and sealcoating protect your investment and extend your driveway’s lifespan by years.
As Jackson Sherrell, founder of J’s Driveways with three decades of experience, explains: “A lot of companies just go and buy sealers, stick some water in it and off they go. We don’t do that. We have chemicals and additives that we put in there to make it dry blacker, make it dry quicker. We put a little bit of sand in for some grit, especially if you’re on a hill so you don’t slide out.”
When to Address Driveway Issues
Don’t wait until your driveway becomes a liability. Watch for these warning signs:
- Potholes or significant depressions
- Cracks wider than a quarter inch
- Standing water after rain
- Grass and weeds growing through the surface
- Loose or scattered gravel
If you’re seeing these issues, a professional assessment can help you understand whether you need a simple refresh or more extensive repairs. Contact J’s Driveways for a quick evaluation of your driveway’s condition.
2. Sunroom Additions
If you’re looking for an improvement that adds both square footage and daily enjoyment, a sunroom deserves serious consideration. Sunrooms have become increasingly popular among Tennessee homeowners who want to enjoy the beauty of our region without battling bugs, unpredictable weather, or extreme temperatures.
The Value Proposition
Sunroom additions typically return 48-60% of their cost at resale—but that number doesn’t tell the whole story. Unlike a kitchen remodel that you might use for 30 minutes a day, a sunroom becomes a daily retreat that pays dividends in quality of life from day one.
Industry data shows that homes with sunrooms often stand out in competitive real estate markets. As one real estate survey found, a sunroom can make a home more memorable to buyers and sometimes serves as the deciding factor in a purchase.
Types of Sunrooms to Consider
Screen rooms provide bug-free outdoor enjoyment for three seasons at the most affordable price point. Perfect for morning coffee or evening relaxation without mosquitoes.
Three-season rooms add glass windows for better temperature control, extending comfortable use from early spring through late fall. These rooms work beautifully with Tennessee’s mild shoulder seasons.
Four-season rooms are fully insulated and can be climate-controlled for year-round comfort. While more expensive, they essentially add heated and cooled living space to your home.
Expert Insight on Sunroom Quality
What separates a valuable sunroom from a regrettable investment? According to Scott, a certified sunroom installer with over four decades in the remodeling industry: “The quality of the glass affects the usability of the room in extreme temperatures. Single-pane glass has minimal insulation, while double pane glass with low emission gas offers better insulation, making the room more comfortable year round.”
He also notes that foundation and construction quality matter significantly: “A solid foundation is essential. This could be a concrete pad, a pressure-treated wood deck, or a composite deck.”
Local Sunroom Resources
For homeowners in the Cookeville area considering a sunroom addition, Cookeville Sunrooms specializes in custom sunroom installations throughout the Upper Cumberland region. Their team can help you evaluate options and understand what type of sunroom makes sense for your home and budget.
3. Exterior Painting
Few improvements deliver as much visual impact per dollar as a fresh coat of exterior paint. According to surveys, the estimated return on investment (ROI) for exterior painting ranges from 51% to 55%. Some studies show even higher returns when combined with other curb appeal improvements.
Why Fresh Paint Matters
In a 2019 survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors, 66% of real estate professionals agreed that exterior paint is essential to a home’s curb appeal, and is a project that homeowners should complete prior to listing.
But the benefits extend beyond just resale:
Protection from the elements. Tennessee weather puts homes through temperature swings, rain, humidity, and UV exposure. Quality exterior paint acts as a protective barrier, shielding your siding and trim from moisture damage, sun fading, and pest intrusion.
Preventive maintenance. The painting process often reveals hidden problems—rotting wood, moisture damage, or failing caulk—that can be addressed before they become expensive repairs.
Instant transformation. Unlike renovations that take weeks, a professional paint job can completely transform your home’s appearance in just a few days.
Color Choices That Add Value
Not all colors are created equal when it comes to resale value. Research consistently shows:
- Neutral colors like whites, grays, and beiges appeal to the broadest range of buyers
- Black front doors can increase perceived value—one study found buyers willing to pay more for homes with black doors versus other colors
- Sage green performs well, especially for homes surrounded by landscaping
- Bright or unusual colors can be polarizing and may actually reduce appeal
The safest approach? Choose a color scheme that complements your home’s architecture and fits naturally into your neighborhood.
DIY vs. Professional Painting
While interior painting is often manageable for handy homeowners, exterior painting presents challenges that typically require professional expertise:
- Working safely at heights
- Proper surface preparation (critical for paint adhesion and longevity)
- Dealing with lead paint on older homes
- Achieving consistent, professional-quality results
Professional painters have the skills, knowledge, and equipment necessary to properly prepare surfaces, select the right materials, and apply paint evenly and efficiently. Their experience and expertise can result in a better finish that lasts longer and enhances your home’s value more effectively than a DIY job.
4. Landscaping and Yard Maintenance
Your landscaping creates the frame around your home’s picture. Even modest investments in yard care can yield impressive returns.
High-Impact, Low-Cost Improvements
According to real estate surveys, basic yard care combined with fresh mulch can boost home value by approximately $4,500. That’s a remarkable return on what might be a weekend’s worth of work and a few hundred dollars in materials.
Focus on these fundamentals:
Clean edges and defined beds. Crisp lines between lawn, beds, and hardscape make the entire property look more intentional and maintained.
Fresh mulch. New mulch instantly refreshes tired landscaping and helps suppress weeds. Dark mulch creates dramatic contrast with plants and lawn.
Pruned shrubs and trees. Overgrown vegetation makes homes look neglected and can actually obscure architectural features you want buyers to see.
Healthy lawn. A green, weed-free lawn signals that the property has been cared for. Fall is actually an ideal time for lawn improvement in Tennessee—overseeding and fertilizing now pays dividends in spring.
What to Avoid
Not all landscaping investments pay off equally. Extensive landscape lighting, for example, typically returns only about 59% of its cost. And while solar panels offer environmental benefits, they provide minimal ROI for resale purposes.
Focus your landscaping dollars on basic maintenance and curb appeal rather than elaborate installations.
5. Garage Door Replacement
This one surprises many homeowners, but garage door replacement consistently ranks among the highest-ROI home improvements. In some studies, new garage doors return over 190% of their cost.
Why Garage Doors Matter So Much
On many homes, the garage door is the single largest visual element on the front facade. An outdated, dented, or poorly maintained garage door can undermine every other improvement you’ve made.
Modern garage doors offer:
- Better insulation and energy efficiency
- Improved security features
- Quieter operation
- Contemporary styles that complement today’s architectural trends
If your garage door is original to an older home, replacement could be one of your smartest investments.
Putting It All Together: A Strategic Approach
The most effective approach to increasing home value combines multiple exterior improvements that reinforce each other. A fresh driveway leads to a freshly painted home surrounded by maintained landscaping—each element enhances the others.
Here’s a practical prioritization for Cookeville homeowners:
If you’re selling soon (within 6-12 months):
- Address any obvious driveway problems—a gravel refresh or crack repair makes an immediate impact
- Fresh exterior paint if your current paint is faded, peeling, or dated
- Basic landscaping cleanup and fresh mulch
- Consider garage door if it’s significantly outdated
If you’re staying but want to build equity:
- Preventive driveway maintenance to avoid costly future repairs
- Consider a sunroom addition for both enjoyment and value
- Exterior painting on a regular maintenance schedule (typically every 5-10 years)
- Gradual landscaping improvements
If budget is limited: Start with your driveway. It’s often the most affordable fix with visible impact. A professional driveway assessment can help you understand what’s actually needed versus what can wait.
The Bottom Line
Home value isn’t just about what happens inside your walls. The exterior of your home—your driveway, paint, landscaping, and outdoor living spaces—creates the first impression that shapes how buyers perceive everything else.
The good news for Cookeville homeowners? Many of these improvements are more affordable than you might expect. A few strategic investments can yield significant returns while making your home more enjoyable to live in right now.
Ready to start with your driveway? Contact J’s Driveways for a free assessment. We’ll help you understand exactly what your driveway needs—whether that’s a simple gravel delivery or more extensive repair—and provide an honest quote with no pressure.
J’s Driveways
114 N Cedar Ave Suite BB, Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 269-5882
quotes@jsdriveways.com