Buyers see the outside first — in listing photos and from the curb. Here’s what’s worth cleaning before you list, and in what order.
In most cases, yes. The exterior is the first thing buyers see — in the listing photos and from the street — and moss on the roof, green siding, streaked windows and a dark driveway make a home look older and less cared for than it is. A full exterior cleaning before listing photos are taken is one of the simplest ways to help a home present well.
In the Fraser Valley’s damp climate, homes pick up organic growth fast, and owners often stop noticing it. Buyers don’t. A roof with moss can also raise questions about the roof’s condition, even when it’s sound.
What’s worth cleaning
- Roof — moss and dark streaks are highly visible in front-elevation and drone photos. Roof cleaning removes algae, lichen and moss without high pressure.
- Siding, soffits and fascia — a soft-wash house wash removes green staining and grime so the home looks its true colour.
- Windows — clean glass makes the house look bright from outside and lets more light in during showings. See our window washing and screen cleaning.
- Driveway, walkways and patio — pressure washing the hard surfaces frames the whole property and removes slippery buildup before people walk through.
- Gutters — plants growing out of the gutters or overflow stains are easy for buyers and inspectors to spot.
The order matters
Work from the top down: roof first, then gutters, then the house wash and windows, then driveway and walkways last, so debris and runoff from higher surfaces don’t land on anything already cleaned. Booking everything as one visit handles the order for you — our Silver, Gold and Platinum packages are built around exactly this.
When to book
Aim to have the cleaning done before the listing photos are taken, not before the first showing — photos are what most buyers see first. Leave room for weather: exterior cleaning in the Fraser Valley is scheduled around rain, so booking a week or two ahead of the photographer is sensible.
Cleaning vs repairs
Cleaning improves how a home presents — it doesn’t replace repairs. If the roof has damaged or lifting shingles, that’s a job for a roofer. Our guides to the signs your roof needs cleaning and roof cleaning vs roof replacement help separate the two.
Getting a quote quickly
Text photos of each side of the home and your address to 778-684-3677, mention your listing date, and we’ll quote the combination that makes sense. For a sense of what drives house-wash pricing, see how much house washing costs in Chilliwack.