Expert: Dan Griffin - 4/5/2009

Question
Sir;
I have a fairly steep drive way that will hold four cars. I am selling my house and the main complaint, which I knew would happen one day, is we like the drive way but it is too steep. There are definitely steeper drive ways in my neighborhood. I would have sold the house already at a higher price. Nothing I can change about the slope, of course, but do you think painting the drive way a color similar to the siding and roof might help?  I have custom 360lbs wood shake shingles, which are the best in the entire subdivision(used to be a rep for a roofing manuf)
Just curious if it would be worth messing with?  May be a slope is a slope....and I'll just have to wait for the right person which the slope is secondary to the acutual house and back yard privacy, woods. People forget that they can just pull the car in the two car garage, but they do not get it.
Thank you,
Kevin
View of home:
Click here: Cyberhomes.com - 81 Grove Hall Ln, Columbia, SC 29212 Home for Sale

Answer
Kevin, all I can give you is a personal reaction.  I don't see painting the drive as solving anything.  It is quite popular to stain concrete.  It is fairly inexpensive and might send a bit of message of "keeping up with the Joneses".  If you would like to see some samples, you might go here:
<http://www.thestampstore.com/Concrete-Gallery/acid-stain-concrete.php>
especially look at the bottom picuture.

A realtor often talks about curb appeal.  Only you can judge whether this additional expense would contribute to it.  If you are working with a realtor, they might give a better answer.