Do You Need to Paint the Exterior of Your Home Before You Sell it?

During all the frenzied buying, it was true: GTA home sellers just had to show up and they'd get condition-free, blind bids  $100,000 over asking. Not to suggest that Southern Ontario's housing market has completely flipped the other way, or that homeowners put no effort into selling their homes, but it's fair to suggest that potential buyers are a lot pickier these days and will likely remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Either way, if you want to sell your home, the numbers have pretty much always shown that investing in new paint before listing provides at least some return on your investment - if it's done right (the latest numbers say 60%.) The commonly-known benefits, such as elevated curb appeal, walls and ceilings that look brand new and the increase of light that brightens up a space and the people in it, all hinge on choosing the right colours and showroom-quality work.

Bottom line: if you want potential homebuyers to fall in love at first sight, hire experienced commercial painters. 

Signs You Need to Paint Your Home's Exterior  

There are common indicators when the exterior of your home needs to be painted, some are immediately noticeable and others may be more subtle. However, if you notice issues like rotting wood, water damage or extensive mould, your priority is to replace the damaged wood or siding and complete the necessary repairs. Painting over these issues becomes almost immediately noticeable to the average person.

Otherwise, these are some of the signs that you need to paint the exterior of your home:

• The existing paint is faded or dull from prolonged exposure to the elements.

• Flaking and peeling paint. This issue makes your home look neglected and can cause potential buyers to assume the home wasn't properly maintained.

• Cracked caulk and gaps between siding. The damaged siding should be replaced, and a new paint job is definitely needed afterwards.

• The colour of your home clashes with other houses in the neighbourhood. This gets your home noticed for all the wrong reasons and will not help you sell.

Exterior Painting Tips

Aside from the immediate boost in curb appeal and sellability provided by a new exterior paint job, painting also helps protect the material underneath and increase its lifespan. The paint acts as a seal that prevents sunlight, insects (especially termites) and harsh weather conditions common in the GTA, like rain, sleet, wind and snow.

Here are a few suggestions regarding exterior paint:

• Keep the same colour (unless you're the house that clashes with the neighbourhood.) Choosing a much different shade requires more than one coat. 

• Use a neutral colour consistent with the surrounding homes. 

• Consider using colour on your front door or trim for a little flair.

• The garage door, deck and fencing can also benefit your home if they're painted. Potential homebuyers inspect these areas to see how long they have left before they need to be replaced.