Whoever said kitchens and baths sell homes failed to credit one of the most underrated house upgrades: a freshly paved driveway. Driveways don’t come in gorgeous marble or grace the pages of home design magazines for their beauty. But putting in a flawless stretch of driveway pavement is like giving your house a red-carpet entrance. Paved driveways also offer the benefits of reduced maintenance in the winter, enhanced curb appeal, and a clean car. Of the approximate 75 million driveways in the U.S., 90% are either asphalt or concrete. However, as the owner of a gravel, dirt, or damaged driveway, you likely have concerns over the cost of this project and need to know: “Does a paved driveway add value to your home?” The average cost to pave a driveway nationally is $4,707, according to estimates from HomeAdvisor. That’s no small chunk of change. A top-selling Eastern Shore Real Estate agent Tricia Wilson of Chaney Homes explains the value of paving your driveway. “In our area of the country, a paved, well-maintained driveway could add $10,000 to $20,000 to the value of a property,” Wilson says. In some markets, she adds, “a black top paved driveway that has fresh coating adds an enormous amount of curb appeal. A damaged driveway can definitely turn someone away thinking if the Wilson goes on to elaborate that unpaved driveways in suburban areas will draw negative attention for being out of place, hard to maintain and hazardous. In addition, freezing temperatures take a toll on both asphalt and concrete. Expanding water creates cracks while the application of salt causes crumbling and corrosion. When the driveway starts to break up and grass and weeds sprout through cracks, uneven pavement creates a safety concern. Home inspectors will be required to document any crumbling and cracking concrete, and buyers may in turn ask for a repair credit to remedy the issue. By paving your damaged driveway, you’re getting ahead of these inspection issues. Other problems with unpaved driveways include: •They’re work to maintain: Gravel driveways need to be regraded once a year or more based on use and climate. •Snow is your enemy: They’re nearly impossible to plow in the winter, says Lucas, which can be a big hassle for snowy climates. •It’s always dusty: You’ll track any dirt or dust into the home with your shoes when you park your car in the driveway. •No high-heels: Uneven ground is harder to walk on, and can make entering and exiting the car a challenge, especially for aging homeowners. •Your car suffers: Parking on uneven gravel or dirt can warp a car’s tires in some temperatures. Plus, the dirt and dust of an unpaved driveway dirties a car fast.