When it comes to purchasing a home, what’s on the outside matters. The first impression a prospective buyer receives of your property is from the outside when they first walk up to it, making exterior house painting a crucial aspect to consider as you’re making a to-do list before you sell. However, it’s not as cut and dry as slapping on a coat of paint. It takes knowing some vital pieces of information to do it or have it done right.
5 Exterior House Painting Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
While painting is a great bang-for-your-buck home improvement, especially when listing a property, there are certain exterior house painting tips that stand out. Check out these five essentials before you start your painting project.
1. Know That Paint Isn’t Always the Only Task Needed to Be Done
First on our list of exterior house painting tips is setting appropriate expectations. You can’t shine a rotten apple, and the same applies to the paint on your home. If you have structural damage behind the surface, you can’t merely paint over it. Over time, the rotten wood or other issues may cause problems with the siding.
Not to mention, if you have any damage to the siding, such as cracks, you can’t paint over them. Eventually, what seems like something minor may worsen. The paint may crack, bubble, or chip as a result.
2. Choose Paint Wisely
Picking up an old paint from the home improvement store, especially if you see that it’s on sale, may seem like a smart idea. You’re selling your home, so what does it matter, right?
However, that isn’t the case. Poor-quality paint may chip or crack. The color might not be as vibrant. While someone inspecting the condition of your home can’t directly tell what brand of paint was used, some signs do indicate you chose a cheap brand, which can devalue your home.
Another consideration with the paint is the type you use. Exterior paint isn’t a one-size-fits-all substance. Each type of siding requires a different kind of paint. Acrylic paint, for example, is versatile. It’s ideal for wood or vinyl, to name two examples. This variety of paint offers great flexibility, is long-lasting, and resists mildew and sun fading well.
If you’re unsure of what kind of paint to use, read the canister. When you hire a company for painting, the painters who arrive on the job will look at your siding and tell you the best paint to use, and will consider your budget in the process. That’s why it’s so important to read reviews before you choose a painter. You want your choice to have experience, training, and a willingness to work with clients.
3. Understand Paint Goes Beyond ROI
Exterior painting is widely considered one of the best home improvement projects in terms of return on investment. A fresh exterior can increase your home’s perceived value and attract more buyers, which may lead to higher offers. The home, overall, looks to be well taken care of.
On average, the ROI on exterior house painting is between 51 and 55 percent. This can vary based on the condition of your home and the current market.
Beyond that, though, you have to look at it from any potential buyer’s point of view. The exterior paint of your home affects its curb appeal. When the paint doesn’t look new—or at least newer—your home isn’t putting its best foot forward, so to speak.
Related: 7 Mistakes to Watch Out for When Selecting a Painting Contractor
4. Know That Color Is Important
No two people on Earth like all the same things; that includes the colors they like. So, you might absolutely adore that green siding you’re currently working with; eight other people who look at your home may look at it as a “hard no.” Some of these individuals may be fine putting it on their to-do list, but that isn’t everyone. Therefore, you need to think carefully about which color(s) you choose.
While some people like bright colors, that yellow may get tedious to look at eventually. And some people just don’t like it in general. Neutral colors often work well for this reason. They’re tried and true and easy to match outdoor decor and landscaping elements with, making them appealing. Not to mention, if people do eventually want a change, it won’t be until down the line, not something that they’re typically going to put on a “must-do” list after they first purchase and move in.
5. Recognize That Quality Matters
Our last entry in the exterior house painting tips list is that quality still does matter. In addition to the quality of paint used, the level of craftsmanship matters for both the ROI and how anyone who looks at your home perceives it. Those details that you may miss if you take on the project yourself could harm the value and how anyone possibly interested in buying it perceives it. A professional, however, knows that these details can make a difference.
When you decide on which projects to complete, start with the outside and then work your way in. You’ll improve the interested parties’ view of your home. Working on the exterior will increase the value of your home. And color and quality matter, which is when exterior house painting from a professional could be in your best interest.
