Should you paint your home before you sell it?

There's a few things that almost always are going to help sell your home more easily. Paint is definitely one of the cheapest and quickest ways to improve the viewing experience for all the prospective buyers. Here's a few reasons why painting before you place your home on the market might be a good idea.

First and foremost, paint can provide buyers their first impression of the home. It can give the nonverbal message of the personality of the home and/or the seller. There's no second chance to make a first impression so it's vital to make sure that your paint is making an impression that says "Welcome Home."

A fresh coat of paint can make a home feel well maintained and appropriately taken care of. To illustrate this point, think about a home that has peeling, dirty, or faded paint. Bad paint in one area can give the impression that the entire home isn't in good shape. Purchasers are uniquely aware of this when they are first walking towards a home. It can be the little items like the mailbox to the bigger items like the exterior siding. Buyers are constantly judging the condition of the home and comparing it to other homes at a comparable price. New paint gives the home a sense that it's been lovingly maintained and is ready for immediate occupancy!

Painting your home before you sell it is also a smart idea because it'll make your online pictures look better and attract more buyers. A vast majority of all home searches begin online. A typical buyer quickly swipes through the first several photos of each house and if there's something not within their taste, they dismiss that listing. Bold and dramatic paint colors do not traditionally appeal and may have your home out of the running even before they step foot on your property. Painting your home with the mass market in mind prior to photos will make your listing stand out for all the right reasons to potential buyers. 

Both for pictures and in-person showings, fresh paint can make a home feel bright and clean. Natural light is definitely a huge selling feature in today's market. Light and neutral colors further enhance the natural light that's coming in and can make the viewing of the home brighter as well as the pictures that are posted online. Covering up dirt, scuff marks, and scratches with new paint is an artificial way of cleaning the home. 

One last and perhaps minor advantage of painting your home before you sell it is that it can mask and encapsulate old smells. Smell is known to be one of the most closely linked senses to memory. You want everything about your home to bring out positive memories. Fresh paint can do that. 

The answer to the question of should I paint my home before I sell, is likely a simple YES. It can lead to a great return on investment while attracting a large number of interested buyers. Most buyers are looking for homes that are move-in ready. They may be willing to tackle one or two projects but the majority stray away from a home that needs a whole house makeover. Neutralizing paint colors makes that transition all the easier. But also, fresh paint gives a great first impression, makes the home look maintained, present well for online pictures, brighten up the feel of the home, and bring about a positive aroma. Some new touches of paint throughout is definitely a cause worth considering when attempting to put your best foot forward. For more helpful tips or referrals to some good painters, reach out to me any time via call or text at 804.551.1702.