How much does a paved driveway add to a home's value?
Does a paved driveway add value?It almost always does.Does it add enough to make it worthwhile for you to sell your home?The answer is more complicated.Find out how much common driveway materials cost.
How much will a paved driveway add to the value of your home?Is it enough for you to pave your driveway?
Your home will be worth more if you have a driveway.Market conditions, typical houses in the area, and the type of material you choose are some of the factors that affect how much is spent.
Let's take a look at some common materials and see how they compare to each other and the cost of the project.
Concrete is a popular choice for driveway material.Most places can last for decades with little to no maintenance.De-icing your driveway can cause concrete to break down faster.If you live in a cold area, this may not be the best option.
Concrete isn't the most attractive material.It can stain easily if you spill something on it.
You can dress up a concrete driveway with stamped concrete.The look of bricks or cobblestones can be mimicked by this ornamental concrete.
It costs $3 to $10 per square foot.If you keep it looking nice, it's a good factor in the home selling process.
Are you looking for an even more affordable option?The way to go is an asphalt driveway.The material is made from sand, rock, and asphalt cement.You're used to seeing it on the road.You can get stamped asphalt if you want to get fancy.
Installation costs $2 to $5 per square foot.If the driveway starts to look worn down, you can reseal it.
When you want to sell, this is an advantage.Since the driveway typically takes up a lot of the front yard, a clean one adds considerably to the home's curb appeal.
What if you have a large driveway?A long driveway leads to a stately rural home.
Gravel is an even more affordable option.Gravel costs between $0.75 and $3 per square foot.It takes a lot of maintenance to keep gravel looking nice.You will have to rake it back into place, put down a new layer every few years, and wage a constant battle against weeds.
If you want to boost home value, gravel isn't the material to do it with.It won't stay that way for long after you lay it down.
Is it possible to build a driveway and help save the planet at the same time?There is a recycled glass driveway.
You might be wondering how you could drive across the glass.A glass driveway is made from small bits of recycled glass that are tumbled and bound together.You don't have to worry about sharp edges.
Depending on the glass bottles you choose, you can play with the color scheme.The snazzy look is more expensive.You can expect to pay $8 to $18 per square foot for this type of driveway.
You might be wondering how you could drive on a grass driveway.There are a couple of ways to do it.
You can put down an all grass driveway with a plastic base.The base helps keep the grass together and prevents car tires from digging into the ground.The concrete grid option allows grass to grow between the squares.
The more economical option is to build an eco-friendly driveway.You can pay between $4.50 and $8 a square foot.
Maintenance is the biggest downside to this type of driveway.You have to put in a lot of effort to keep the grass green.This isn't the best option for you if you live in an arid desert.
Should you pay for your driveway now that you know what the options will cost?Will it add value to your home?
This depends on a few things.This can make your home less desirable if most of the homes in your area have a driveway.The reverse is also true.Your home has an edge over the others in the neighborhood if most homes don't have a driveway.
Current market conditions are something else to consider.You won't have to try to find buyers in a seller's market.Buyers will be interested in your home if it's on par with others.If the market is more of a buyer's market, you may have to try harder to get buyers' attention.It is possible to put your driveway over the top with a paved driveway.
Are you still planning to live in your home for a few more years?You won't get the full return on your paved driveway when you sell, but you will get to use it and enjoy it.That can make it worth it.
There are other factors that affect the value of a driveway.How do you decide on the best course of action?You talk to an expert.
Real estate agents know what buyers are looking for.They know what's happening in the area and what the market calls for.If you want to sell your home, a local agent will be able to advise you on any repairs or improvements you could make to it.