How Exterior Paint Protects Your Home’s Value

With residential real estate sales moving at a steady rate homeowners continue to put their homes on the market. The process of selling a home typically comes with investing in minor repairs and upgrades to make it as attractive as possible. An exterior paint job in many cases can make all the difference between a potential buyer passing or buying your home. Fading, peeling, or outdated paint can turn buyers off despite how great the interior of your home may look.

Benefits of an Exterior Paint Job

First impressions matter. Your home’s exterior makes the first impression for any potential buyer looking at your home. Most designers and real estate professionals agree that new exterior paint is an affordable way to increase your home’s value. It’s much more affordable than a kitchen remodel and can make a big psychological impact on prospective buyers. According to consumer reports, an exterior paint job can increase the value of your home from two to five percent.

• Exterior painting is more economical compared to new vinyl siding
• A 20-year-old paint job tells buyers they will spend more money on deferred maintenance   
• The right color can make a house appear larger or smaller to better fit the property aesthetics

Tips for Painting Your Home’s Exterior

If you’ve decided to invest in your home’s exterior and get a new paint job there are some things to consider to ensure a successful project.

• Choose striking colors for the railings, window frames, trim, and other accents. You don’t want those features to just blend in with the house.

• Neutral colors, whites, and creams appeal to the greatest number of buyers. If your goal is to sell, choose a color that will cast the widest net.

• Paint your vinyl siding the same color or a slightly lighter color to prevent the material from warping from heat.

• Make sure your front door pops with an eye-catching color to make a great first impression.

Exterior Paint Protects Your Home From Weather

So far we’ve been focusing on how an exterior paint job can help you sell your home. Aside from that, keeping your exterior paint up to date actually protects your home. Your home takes a beating throughout the year from the sun, wind, rain, and ice. Exterior paint can act as a protective coating to keep moisture, mold, and even insects from damaging your home. Your home’s exterior paint is its first line of defense.

How Often Should you Repaint your Home’s Exterior?

Some professionals will tell you to repaint your home every 4 to 6 years to keep it looking good. Others may say you can go as long as 10 to 15. The answer is not so simple. Like everything, it depends on what your goals are and the variable involved.

Location will affect how often you need to repaint your home exterior. Coastal homes, for example, endure intense sun, salty sea air and sand, and need more exterior upkeep than homes in other environments.

Another factor is the quality of paint used. The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause chemical compounds in paint to degrade, particularly if you use oil-based paint. These paints lose their color and luster faster. This is especially true with dark paints.

Is Your Home’s Exterior Ready for a New Paint Job?

If you’re thinking about selling your home and need to freshen it up, or your exterior paint is due for a new paint job, we can help. We’ll drop by and give you a free quote and discuss your options. Contact us through the website or call directly.

(901) 444-0944