photo via flickr
Homeowners looking to sell their properties would do well to consider their driveways when making improvements. Often, the drive is the first thing that prospective buyers notice when property shopping, and a badly designed or poorly maintained driveway may just cause them to buy elsewhere.
According to an article in The New York Times ‘The condition of the driveway sets the tone for the condition of the home.’ In other words, a poorly maintained drive in need of repairs is likely to indicate a house in the same shape. On the other hand, a beautiful, well maintained drive is more likely to indicate that the property has been well cared for.
The value that a properly landscaped driveway adds to the home is important, not only for the resale value, but also for the character it brings. In another article in San Francisco’s SFGate the importance of function as well as design is discussed. It may be practical to upgrade an older driveway to meet the needs of today’s drivers. Wider driveways are more practical for drivers of larger vehicles.
Whether a drive is paved in concrete or asphalt, it’s important to ensure that the driveway complements the home that it leads to. An attractive home deserves an attractive drive, and a beautiful new driveway could be exactly what leads buyers straight to the front door of their new home.
