Just about every person I know wants to spend their money wisely—especially when it comes to their homes. There is an endless number of home improvement projects you can take on as a homeowner, but which ones will actually add value when you go to sell your home?
When it comes to house painting, the question of added value can be a little tricky. Painting may not necessarily change the appraised value of your home, but it could add a lot of value in the eyes of potential buyers, which is arguably more important.
To explain, a home appraiser likely won’t increase the estimated value of your home that much if you paint it. They’re more concerned with things like square footage, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the home’s amenities. However, just about any real estate agent will tell you that a nicely painted home is much more desirable than one that is in obvious need of new paint. When your home is desirable, it means the pool of potential buyers is much larger, which in turn can drive up the sale price of your home.
Exterior Painting Adds Curb Appeal
Painting the exterior of your San Diego home can go a long way in improving the all-important curb appeal of your home. If the exterior of your home is in obvious need of new paint, you should paint it before putting it on the market. Otherwise, people will just drive on by to the next house, without even stepping foot in yours.
Before putting your house on the market, do an honest assessment of the exterior of your home. Does it look shabby in comparison to the rest of the houses in your neighborhood? Is the paint faded or chipping, or is the color severely outdated? If the answer is “yes,” you should consider having your house painted. If you’re not sure, ask the opinion of your real estate agent.
Interior Painting Adds “Freshness”
You might be perfectly fine living with smudges, scuff marks, or stains on your interior walls, but potential buyers won’t be. These things can make your house feel dirty, even if you meticulously clean it. A fresh paint job in neutral colors can make a house feel clean and new, and make it appealing to many more buyers.
Kitchens Sell Houses
Many real estate agents will tell you, “kitchens sell houses,” meaning a house with a great kitchen will likely sell a lot faster and for more money than a house with an outdated or shabby-looking one. Spending the money to have your kitchen cabinets painted can be money very well spent! The current trend is “bright” kitchens, so if yours has dark wood cabinets, having them painted could mean the difference between a quick sale and having your home languish on the market with no offers.
Choose Paint Colors Wisely
A caveat to all of the above points is this: you have to choose the right paint colors. If you spend the money to have your house or kitchen cabinets painted in unpopular or unattractive colors, potential buyers won’t ascribe any value to it. Instead, they’ll be taking into consideration the fact that they’ll need to have your house repainted when they make their offer.
If you know you don’t have a good eye for color, ask someone who does to help you choose. You can ask a friend, hire a color consultant or interior designer, or use a San Diego house painting company that offers color consultations. Most homeowners consider this service to be well worth the price—especially after they see the end result!
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