Your home is your most valuable asset and as such, you want to keep it properly maintained. While keeping the inside of the home clean, maintained and updated is important for the resale value, many people do not realize just how much keeping up with the landscaping and exterior of the home is just as important. Curb appeal is very important when considering the value of your home. On average curb appeal can add over 12 percent to the current value of a home. This means an extra $38,000 for a home that is listed at $300,000. This is a lot of money that most homeowners selling their homes can really use. The good news is, adding curb appeal to your home does not really have to cost all that much. In fact, in most cases updating the exterior of your home will cost less than your mortgage.
Simply power washing the sides of your home and your driveway can increase the value of your home. However, you might be wondering what power washing is and how it can add value to your home.
Power Washing
Pressure washing and power washing are not the same things. Power washing uses lower amounts of pressure along with a solution of soap to wash away grime, dirt, and grease. Power washing offers a great way to blast materials that might be stuck onto surfaces without having to scrub. Additionally, power washing is an easy way to clean the outside of a home and any sensitive surfaces.
If your home has siding, there is a good chance that mold, mildew, and other dirt have taken home in the area. Power washing provides a great way to get all of this off the exterior of your home. You can use power washing for removing all of this with very little effort.
Power Washing and Curb Appeal
You may be wondering if simply power washing certain areas of your home can really add any value. The simple answer is yes. Keeping the outside of your home clean will make it look more appealing. Additionally, cleaning off the gunk from the outside of the home will ensure that your home stays in good shape and does not need any repairs. Here are five ways that power washing can increase the value of your home.
1. Keeps it Looking New
If you have watched any type of property show you likely have heard talk of how a brand new driveway can add curb appeal and value to the home. If you do not have the budget to put in a brand new driveway, power washing can be your best friend. There is a good chance that once you power washes your drive, it is going to look just like the drives found in homes that have just been built.
2. Market Value
If you were looking for a new home would you want to buy one that has a clean sidewalk, a deck that is free of mildew, and a driveway that does not have any stains? Chances are if you see any of those things you are going to turn around and move onto the next house. When it comes to the curb appeal of your home, plants and shrubs only go so far. Keeping the exterior areas clean is one of the easiest and best ways to increase the market value of your home.
3. Move-in Ready
Most people buying a home and paying top dollar are not going to want to have to do a bunch of projects before they move in. By simply keeping the exterior clean, people are going to notice and be more willing to come inside to look around and hopefully fall in love. A clean exterior makes your home more attractive to any potential buyer.
4. Architecture
Your home is a unique building and you want to show that off. When it is grimy and dirty, it takes away from the appeal of the actual structure of the home. Even just something as simple as cleaning your driveway and power washing the siding of the home can make it stand out from the other homes in your area.
5. First Impression
When it comes to selling your home, the first impression that a potential buyer gets will be from the outside. They will notice how clean or dirty the exterior of the property is before they notice anything else. As soon as a potential buyer arrives at your door, they are going to get a first impression. You want to make sure that impression is a good one. If it is not, chances are they are not even going to notice all of the great things you might have going on in the interior of the home.