Should I Get My House Pressure Washed Before I Try to Sell it?

Doing anything to increase your home value will increase your ability to sell your home faster. Getting your home pressure washed will absolutely add value to your home. I recommend getting your home professionally washed before listing it for sale. 

One of the first things that home sellers question when they get ready to list their home for sale, is just how much time and money should they put into fixing their home up. The first question they will often ask is if they should get their house pressure washed before they try to sell it. 

 

According to the National Association of Realtors, 5.34 million existing homes were sold in 2019. That means 5.34 million customers bought homes that were in less than new condition than the 682,000 customers who bought newly constructed homes. Buying a used home can save you a lot of money, but trying to sell a used home can come with a lot of critiquing. Home buyers are leery of the hidden problem areas that used homes may have. Curb appeal absolutely will make a huge difference when people are looking to buy a home as well. It can be the one thing that makes them keep on driving by to the next home or stopping by to take a better look. A dirty, moss/algae, mildew, and mold covered home will certainly not be attractive to home buyers. Home buyers will be looking at several factors of a home before they decide which one to buy. Here are a few things to consider...

 

What Do You Think When You Pull Up to A House Covered in Green? 

Imagine you are out house hunting, and you drive up to a house that is covered in green. Instant turn off! Central Arkansas is known for weather that is conducive to algae and moss growth. You can find it on most unwashed homes that have a lighter paint color or vinyl siding. Sure, the new owner can pay to have it washed themselves, but buying a house and then having to immediately shell out money for a house wash can really make them think twice about choosing your home over a home that has already been washed. 

 

Houses Covered in Green Can Easily Look as If It Needs A New Coat of Paint

The need to wash a home can also be easily mistaken for the need to have it painted. Many times, algae and moss can make a house look as if it needs a new coat of paint. When a potential home buyer is driving by, they may not notice that all the green is simply something that requires a good pressure wash or soft wash instead of an expensive paint job. A freshly washed home can stand out in a whole block of houses and for sure draw the eye. On the other hand, a house covered in green algae or moss can also stand out, but not in a good way. When my family is out driving around, my young children are quick to point out the houses that need to be washed. Of course, they are only interested in those things because they know that I wash houses for a living, but either way the dirty houses are very noticeable even to children. 

 

A House Wash Can Increase Curb Appeal

The National Association of Realtors also agrees with a house wash being able to increase curb appeal. They have listed pressure washing or soft washing a house as the number one way to increase the curb appeal of your home. In fact, many realtors will suggest a good house wash to their customers who are listing their home. They have experience enough to know that a dirty, moss/algae covered home can potentially sit on the market longer than a house that has been washed and looks like it was freshly painted.


Black Streaks Can Also Turn Off Potential Homebuyers

Other eye sore areas for a home listed for sale, are the black streaks that are on the roof. Those black streaks not only look bad, but they can also lead to further damage down the road. An educated home buyer will be looking at that and wondering how long it would be before they would have the expensive cost of having to get their roof replaced. Having your roof soft washed will clean off those black streaks and will not damage the shingles. Pressure Perfect can wash your roof with the recommended method of cleaning that the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association suggests to use when cleaning shingles. 

 

Problem Areas Always Get Noticed

A simple driveway and sidewalk wash can also increase the value of your home. That along with fences and patios/decks being washed can really appeal to a new homeowner who will want to be proud of every aspect of their home. Unless you are selling a brand-new home, there is always room for improvement. Many homebuyers will look over the clean areas and immediately be drawn to the “problem” areas. 

 

A House Wash Is A Good Idea Before Listing It for Sale  

If you are preparing your home for listing on the market, you absolutely should increase the curb appeal, but always remember that a dirty home and a dirty roof often times does not mean an expensive roof replacement and house painting. Also, the time to wash your home and roof will take hours rather than weeks like replacing your roof and having your house painted will take. Give Pressure Perfect a call to see if we can help you out BEFORE you schedule that painter and roofer.

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