Your concrete driveway will be one of the first things a buyer is going to see when they drive up to your home. Should you replace it before you try to sell your property? It depends on the market and how bad your driveway currently is.
Here are a few of the things you need to consider before deciding to replace it or leave it as is:
Repairing Your Concrete Driveway is About Matching Neighborhood Standards
Repairing a driveway isn't always about improving the value of your home. It can also be about rising to the standards of your neighbors. In this case, it isn't about selling your house for more. It's also about selling your home at all.
If your neighbors have new or nearly new driveways and are also selling their homes, having a driveway that is damaged could mean that your home will take longer to sell. It could also cause your home to sell for less than you were asking. Repairing your driveway is less about your return on investment and more about giving your home a better chance of selling at your asking price.
If you live in a higher-end area, you can add more value to your property by replacing your driveway. If your home listed below market price, you have room to add value. A new driveway addition could be just the thing that your home needs to not only improve value but increase curb appeal.
It May Not Cost as Much as You Think
If you need to replace your driveway, it may not be as expensive as you think. The typical cost to replace a concrete driveway is about $7-10,000 depending on the size, but the only way to know the exact price is to contact contractors for bids. You don't necessarily want to go for the cheapest contractor (they could be cutting corners), but comparing will give you a better picture of the value you are getting.
A Damaged Concrete Driveway Raises Red Flag to Buyers
A poorly maintained concrete driveway will make your home look poorly maintained. Buyers see cracked and broken concrete sections and could think about the foundation of the property also has foundation issues, especially in the Tulsa area. They may also wonder what areas of the property lack maintenance.
Damaged concrete allows weeds and overgrowth to grow in the damaged areas and adds to poor appearance and curb appeal. All of these things either add or take away from prospective buyers' first impression of your home as the driveway is the first thing they noticed when they arrive.
A Driveway Can Add Curb Appeal to Your Home
The easiest way to find out how appealing your home looks is to ask a friend who will be honest in their assessment. We tend to overlook things that others see because we have become accustomed to the look. If the front of your home doesn't look appealing to your friend, it will not be appealing to a prospective buyer. Installing a new driveway may be just the thing to improve it. Some new technologies, such as stamped concrete, can be enough to make a home memorable and unique.
Whether you want to replace or repair your driveway will depend upon how damaged it already is. You will also need to look at your neighborhood to see what the current standards are. For more information and to get a quote, contact the pros at Tulsa Driveways. We are happy to give a free quote and answer any questions you may have.