The way your home exterior looks makes a huge difference when you sell it. First impressions can make or break a sale.

Here are some home maintenance mistakes to avoid to keep your home looking fresh.

Stop Using the Pressure Washer at Full Force

When you pressure wash your home, the goal is to remove the dirt, not the paint. You can do this without setting the pressure washer to full force. If you don't, you could end up making your home look worse by damaging the paint or wood, along with forcing the water under the siding where it can cause rot.

Instead, turn the spray as low as it can go to still get the job done. Then angle the washer down, and clean with gentle, side-to-side motions.

Stop Putting Mulch Against the House

Lining your home with mulch may look great, but it can increase the risk of bugs and mold. Instead, you can keep that great look by placing a layer of brick or stone between your house and the mulch.

Stop Storing Produce on the Counter

There's nothing more appetizing than bowls full of garden-fresh goods on the counter. But it comes at a price: bugs.

While fruit flies are annoying, ants and roaches are full-on worrisome once they're in your home. And they are TOUGH to get rid of. Refrigerate all the produce you can — and if you must keep it out to ripen, pop it in the fridge as soon as it peaks.

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