If you’re thinking about selling your house, (whether that means next month or a few years from now) you would want to make sure that you do everything you can to get the best selling price. When it comes to determining your house’s value, there are a couple of factors you can’t do much about, like the location of your property and fluctuations in the market. The good news is, there are plenty of ways you can improve the valuation of your house in a relatively short span of time.

UPGRADES THAT IMPROVE HOME VALUE

You might be thinking that upgrading your house to increase your property’s value means you have to undertake a full-scale renovation. Thankfully, that’s not the case! Smart & small changes can have a big impact when it comes to scaling the value of your house. Even if you’re not planning to sell your house in the near future, it’s good to think about the investments you make now that will eventually result in getting a good price of your property. So, what are the best ways to increase the resale value of a home?

KICK YOUR CURB APPEAL UP A NOTCH

What’s the first thing people see when they come to an open house or take a look at your listing? The front of your home, of course! How your home looks from the street is known as the curb appeal and it plays a huge role in how many potential buyers are willing to pay for a new home. They’re looking for all the things they might need to spend money on once they own it, so making sure it looks picture perfect is very important. A few quick and easy improvements can make a huge difference. Consider planting a few flowers, fixing up the lawn, giving your fence a fresh coat of paint, painting your front porch, or painting a bold new color on your front door. These ideas are all pretty quick to do, but give your home an instant makeover.

GIVE YOUR EXTERIOR A WHOLE NEW LOOK

If you’re willing to invest a little more, it’s a good idea to paint the entire exterior of your home. It can seem like a big job—one that potential buyers will probably want to avoid doing once they move in. Seeing that it has been freshly painted has big value in the eyes of buyers, who will appreciate it, knowing that they won’t have to worry about it for years to come. When you’re ready to paint the exterior, carefully consider the colour scheme. Neutrals are usually a safe bet, but brighter colours can sometimes be a better choice. If you’re not sure how to choose the right colour, follow the advice in this guide. (Hint: the style of the home and the neighbouring homes are important to consider.)

REFRESH YOUR KITCHEN

Not everyone has the time and money required for a complete kitchen overhaul. But you can definitely give your kitchen an upgrade without totally gutting it. You can start by simply giving it a new coat of paint in a colour that works well with space. A step up from that would be to update the existing cabinets with paint and add a splash of colour to your kitchen island. It’s a relatively quick and cost-effective way to transform the space that could potentially increase your home’s value by three to seven per cent.

BEAUTIFY YOUR BATHROOM

Bathroom renovations are another big one for home buyers. When they see an outdated bathroom, they’ll probably also foresee costly renovation bills. Again, you don’t need to shell out for the fanciest new gadgets like heated towel racks. All it takes is a carefully chosen paint colour to bring new life into a tired old bathroom. A neutral colour like taupe, soft grey, or white can instantly create a spa-like atmosphere. If you want to go with something more colourful, try a pastel tone rather than something overly bright. Intense colours in the bathroom can throw people off. In many cases, a quick coat of paint can make all the difference in how your home looks in the eyes of potential buyers. If you’re looking to increase your home’s value with some instant paint upgrades, contact us for a free estimate.

How do you know when it’s time to paint the outside of your home? There are a few obvious signs to watch out for, like cracking and chipping paint, but there are also some less obvious things that can cause problems too. Exterior painting is a pretty time consuming job, so it’s always a good idea to hire professional painters if you can.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU PAINT?

Unfortunately, there is no set timeline for all, since every house is different. There are some rough guidelines you can follow, but there are several factors that can change the timing pretty drastically. Most experts say that you’ll need to paint every five to ten years, depending on factors such as where you live, climate and weather, and the previous paint job.

Also, keep in mind that every surface will be a little different. For example:

• Wood siding – every 3-7 years, or every 4 years if it’s stained
• Aluminium siding – usually about 5 years
• Stucco – typically lasts 5-6 years
• New types of materials – these usually need to be touched up less often; for example, cement fiberboard siding can go 10-15 years before repainting
• Brick – if it’s not painted, it only needs occasional cleaning; if it’s painted, it can last 15-20 years

WHAT AFFECTS THE DURABILITY OF AN EXTERIOR PAINT JOB?

There are a few factors that can affect how long your paint will last. The biggest three are how your home was painted previously, climate and weather, and how the house has been maintained over time. Let’s take a closer look at how each of these plays a role in how often you need to repaint.

PREVIOUS PAINT JOB

If you’ve just bought a house, you might not know exactly when it was last painted. It’s a good idea to try to find out, since having detailed information about the paint job can make a big difference. The type of paint used, the quality of paint, how many coats were applied, and even the colour used can all effect longevity. It’s also helpful to know the time of year in which it was painted since whether your house was painted on a sunny or overcast day can change how well the paint dries.

Overall, high-quality paint in lighter shades tends to last longer, especially if it was applied in two to three coats instead of just one. As far as the type of paint is concerned, 100% acrylic paint is the most durable option which is resistant to fading.

DAMAGE FROM THE ELEMENTS

Where you live and what was happening weather-wise on the day of your last paint job can also play a big role in how long your paint job will last. For example, if you live somewhere with extremely hot summers and your home isn’t sheltered by a lot of trees, the direct sunlight may cause the paint to bubble and fade more quickly. Or if you live in a climate with harsh winters, intense storms, or high humidity, these can also cause your paint job to age more quickly.

EXTERIOR HOUSE MAINTENANCE

This is all about preventative maintenance and spot problems before they get too bad. Inspect your house regularly to watch for signs of wear and tear. Specific things to watch out for are dampness, rot, chalkiness, insect or rodent infestation, and mould. If you spot these, take care of them right away—you’ll make your paint job last longer if you do. On top of that, keeping up with general maintenance will keep your paint looking great over time. This means regularly washing dirt and moss off the surface of your home before it starts to break down the paint.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME SO THE NEW PAINT JOB LASTS

Once you’re ready to update your exterior paint job, there are a few steps you should take in order to make sure this new paint job lasts for as long as possible. Of course, it all starts long before anyone picks up a paintbrush.

Start by treating any spots of mould, rotten wood, cracks, holes in stucco, and more. Fill in any cracks, caulk seams and use putty to fill in any holes or pits. If you’ve got a lot of bubbling or peeling paint, it’s a good idea to sandblast or power wash to start with a smooth surface. After washing away the chipped paint, make sure your house has the chance to fully dry before you begin painting. The same goes for heavy rain—it’s best to wait a couple of days after a storm before you paint.

You should also pay close attention to the weather. It’s always best to paint on days that are dry and relatively mild, with an ideal temperature being 50-90 degrees. (Though you can still paint outside of this range and get great results. These are just rough guidelines.)

It’s always recommended to start with a primer since it prepares the surface for the paint and gives a smoother looking finish.

Exterior painting could be hassling, so it’s always a good idea to hire professional painters if you can. It’s the best way to ensure you’ll get a quality paint job that will last for years. If you think it’s time to refresh your home’s exterior, book a free estimate with us!