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We’ve all heard the phrase “curb appeal” before, whether as a neighbor or while preparing to sell our houses. But what does creating the ultimate first impression for potential buyers of your home actually look like?
According to real estate experts, the popular saying may be much more literal than we think. Paying attention to the pavement leading up to your front door can make a big difference, and power washing it could even increase your home’s value.
Meet the Expert
- Ginger Wilcox is the president of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.
- Darren Robertson is a realtor, and the founder of Northern Virginia Home Pro.
- Amy Pedersen is a real estate advisor and agent at Compass.
Does Power Washing Make a Difference?
Power washing utilizes high-pressure water to blast away built-up dirt, grease, oil, and grime on outdoor surfaces. And although it’s difficult to put an exact figure on by how much, all three of our real estate pros agree: power washing the driveway, pathways, and sidewalk outside of your home can make a major difference to potential buyers’ perspectives and your final sale price.
“Buyers may not consciously realize it, but a clean exterior suggests that the entire property has been well cared for,” real estate company president Ginger Wilcox says. “A clean driveway and sparkling walkways instantly elevate curb appeal and make your home look fresh and well-maintained— so power washing is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to boost your home’s value.”
While full-on exterior renovation projects can cost thousands of dollars, renting a power washer from home improvement stores is usually only around $100-200 a day.
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Power Washing vs. Pressure Washing
These two tools have similar names and both work by cleaning with powerful sprays of water, but a power washer uses hot water (which is heated internally), and a pressure washer uses cool water.
What Areas to Power Wash
The pavement outside your home is a great place to start, but power washing can also help to refresh other exterior areas with built up moss or dirt.
“Along with your driveway and walkways, target porches, patios, decks, fences, and even the siding and gutters when appropriate,” real estate agent Amy Pedersen suggests. “These areas accumulate grime over time, and a thorough wash can make everything feel refreshed and move-in ready.”
It’s also a good idea to bring this power tool into the backyard to clean around your deck and pool; just be sure to use the intense flow of water with caution.
“Softer surfaces like wood and sandstone can easily become damaged if you use a high-pressure nozzle, so stick to a spread nozzle for your first pass, or—if you can spare the expense—hire a professional,” says realtor Darren Robertson.
Other Ways to Increase Home Value
Aside from power washing the realtor-recommended areas around your home, there are also plenty of other high-impact ways to increase resale value at a relatively low cost.
- Paint your front door in a warm, welcoming, and timeless shade. Wilcox’s go-to colors are navy, charcoal, and classic brick red.
- Pedersen suggests making sure your porch and gutters are both free of debris, cobwebs, leaves, and clutter.
- Make landscaping improvements by adding flower beds, mowing your lawn, watering your plants, and trimming shrubs regularly.
- Robertson recommends replacing hardware on fences, gates, the front door, and the mailbox to show your home has been well cared-for.
- Install outdoor lighting along your driveway, the pathway to your porch, around your front door, and above an address plaque for visual appeal in the evenings and improved accessibility.
- Style the area around your front door with a wreath, door mat, and planters for an even more polished first impression.
