Thinking of selling your home now or in the near future? You may want to consider whether or not your home is due for a paint job. A fresh coat of paint on the exterior and interior will help to keep your home value in line with today's market prices. Today's buyers are looking for homes that are move-in ready. Many have just enough money for their down payment and don't have funds leftover to paint or do much else to the house. Buyers also want today's colors and on trend updates and upgrades.
Does Your Home's Exterior Need a Face-lift?
If your home is brick or has aluminum or vinyl siding that's in good shape, you don't have to worry about a complete exterior paint job. You'll want to focus on areas such as wood trim around the windows, shutters, soffits, fascia and your front door. These areas are typically painted white or black. It's not uncommon for front doors to be painted an accent color such as blue, brown, teal, red or classic white.
If you have wood siding that is peeling or showing signs of rotting in some areas, you will want to have the exterior wood repaired then stained.
Colors For Your Home's Interior
Are the interior walls, doors and trim in your home outdated, have marks or are peeling? You'll want properly prep the surfaces by spackling holes and sanding over rough surfaces before applying a fresh coat of paint. Paint ceilings, trim and doors white for the best appeal. The most popular color for interior walls is a light shade of gray. Off-white and beige used to be the on trend colors, but gray should be on point for a few years. Assuming you're planning on selling your home, it's best to avoid too many personal colors. Gem colors such as burgundy, yellow, brown, green or blue are outdated and will not appeal to buyers. Buyers are looking for a light, neutral color. Lighter shades also make rooms appear larger.
What Type of Paint to Use
Planning on doing the job yourself? Take time to consult with professionals at your local paint store for advice on which type of paint is best for ceilings, trim and doors. Typically flat paint is a good choice for ceilings because it will eliminate glare. A semi-gloss paint is the right choice for doors and trim. Use an eggshell paint on the walls as it will wear well as flat paint is hard to wipe down or clean.
A freshly painted interior and exterior will keep your property value on par.