If you are planning to sell your home, you may be wondering if painting the inside of the home will add value.
This article will discuss how much value interior paint will add to your home along with some other helpful information.
How Much Value Does Interior Paint Add To A Home?
With real estate prices on the rise, it may be tempting to skip updating your home before you list it.
However, simple changes like a fresh coat of paint or freshly cleaned carpets can actually pay out effectively.
You can market your home to folks who want to move in immediately instead of just marketing to DIYers and investors.
Because the markets right now are so volatile, it can be hard to gauge what you will gain from a fresh coat of paint.
As a temporary measure, count on adding $2,000 to the sale price of your home once the entire interior is covered.
The real question to consider is how much will not painting cost you.
What Shape Are Your Walls In?
Pull all the artwork off the walls and honestly assess the condition of the surface. If your home features sheetrock, the process of patching, priming and painting are fairly straightforward.
If your home is a bit older and your walls are plaster, the repairs and painting may take more effort.
If your walls are in tough shape, it may be necessary to hire a professional to properly clean, patch, prime, and paint the interior.
Because a professional paint job will obviously cut into the profit you could make on the house, talk with your realtor about the risk.
They can give you a better idea about the speed at which houses in your region are moving. They can also prepare you for buyer expectations.
How Long Has it Been Since You Painted?
Do you remember the last time you painted? If your walls are avocado green and go nicely with your harvest gold refrigerator, it’s probably time to do a bit of updating!
Do make sure that you don’t just focus on a color that suits your taste. The goal is to make your home look livable to the majority of folks who are going to view the space.
If you’re painting over an old paint job, strong shades, or a high gloss paint, make sure you save time to prime. The first steps are always the same.
1) Wash the walls with a mild detergent, such as a degreasing dish soap.
2) Rinse the walls with a large sponge, from top to bottom, and let it dry completely.
3) Patch any holes with a quick-drying joint compound or spackle and sand them once dry.
If the current walls are especially dark or if there are any stains from water or smoke, plan to prime the whole space. Be aware that primer is very different from paint.
Primer is tackier and contains more resin than pigment. A single coat of plain white primer may be all that you need to prep a surface in need of updating, but let it cure fully for at least 24 hours to make sure any stains that need covering are really gone.
Paint can be hard to get out of carpet, but primer is almost impossible without chemicals. Mask thoroughly before you ever open a can of primer.
Interior paint will add around $2,000 in value to your home.
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How Up-To-Date Are Your Colors?
Take the time to review the images in home magazines and in home-product catalogs. Look for a nice neutral color that will work with the flooring currently in place.
If your floors include tan carpet and hardwood, choose a warm ivory that will freshen the whole house.
If you already have accent walls and they’re in good shape, leave them. If you don’t, don’t add them.
Accent walls are highly personal and they may work well with your favorite shade of carpet or your most beloved chair, but they can be off-putting to some buyers.
They’re also a challenge for a novice DIYer to cover effectively.
Plan Ahead
Do take the time to fully mask your soft goods, particularly your drapes, before you paint on your own.
Depending on the time of year that you’re selling, you may not be able to open up the windows while you paint.
If potential buyers step in and smell wet paint, they may wonder what you’re hiding.
If you must paint in cold weather, go ahead and crank up the heat and open the windows to air out carpets.
Keep air moving over the floor to keep paint odors out of the carpet. If at all possible, get the carpets professionally cleaned before you show the house.
How Consistent Are Your Choices?
Do take the time to be incredibly consistent in your paint planning. If possible, find a color that will work on both ceilings and walls.
If your trim is already painted, use a flat or eggshell paint on the walls and use the same color in a semi-gloss on the trim.
Take a look at your lighting choices as well. If your new wall color is a warm white or cream, make sure that your light bulbs throughout the home are also warm.
Blue or bright light on warm paint will make the walls look dingy.
Consider updating other aspects of the house, such as any bright window treatments. Pack away your handmade quilt bedspread and go as neutral as you can in your fabric choices.
Yes, this may make your home a bit boring to live in. However, the goal when preparing to sell is to make the space so neutral that the viewer can easily see their possessions in your space.
