The Front Yard Secret Weapon a Real Estate Agent Swears By

There’s no question: improving curb appeal is important for homeowners. Not only can it increase the value of your house and make potential buyers eager to come inside and take a look, but it can make you feel better about your space every time you come home. I spoke to Chris LaBadia, a Realtor at Prominent Properties Sotheby’s, in Montclair, New Jersey, to find out the secret weapon he loves for seeing an instant improvement in the front yard. 

While LaBadia says there are a lot of things that homeowners can do in their front yards to give their curb appeal a boost — painting the front door, adding fragrant plants, and buying a set of matching chairs for your patio among them — the number one thing you can do is give your outdoor spaces a good washing. 

“A pressure washer will take years of grime and dirt off of your front walk/patio/deck in just a few hours,” LaBadia says. “It will make an old fence look brand-new. It can also make well-loved outdoor furniture, like Adirondack chairs, tables, and cushions, look new again.”

Given how much LaBadia says a pressure washer can do, it’s no surprise that he believes no home is complete without one. “They are pretty affordable, so I recommend all homeowners buy one,” he says, adding that having to go out and rent one can add hours to an otherwise quick job.

And buying a nice one shouldn’t break the bank. LaBadia says you can get a pretty good model for around $200. “If you own a home, a pressure washer is a must-have power tool to have on hand,” he says. “Once spring rolls around, there’s always something that can benefit from a good pressure wash.”

If you’re planning on testing LaBadia’s secret weapon around your home, he advises taking it easy in the beginning. “When it comes to siding, wood fences and outdoor furniture, always start with the lowest pressure setting,” he warns. “I’ve seen them put holes in siding and fencing because the setting was too high.”

Because pressure washers are chemical-free and inexpensive (once you own one, you’re only on the hook financially for the water you use) they are the perfect way to boost your home’s value on a budget. 

“From algae-covered shingles to cobwebs under the eaves to ground-in dirt, mud and bird droppings on the sidewalk, there’s always something that can benefit from a good power washing,” says LaBadia. Giving those spaces a good bath will give them an instant refresh and make your home look well maintained and cared for, two things that will keep you feeling good about where you live and make others eager to see what lies beyond your front door.