Curb Appeal in a Can: Let Painting Increase the Value of Your Home
by Sydney Venable

First impressions are important, especially when it's time to sell your home. In today's market, potential buyers have an endless list of options and your home needs to leave a positive and lasting first impression. If your home looks like all of the others on your street, a little paint might be the just the thing to make it stand out from the crowd.

Choosing a Color Scheme
Color decisions are always the most difficult choices to make when deciding to repaint. With thousands of colors and multiple finishes to choose from, the possibilities may seem overwhelming. Keep in mind you want colors that fulfill your vision while maintaining mass appeal and increasing the value of your home. If you aren't tied to any particular color scheme, visit your local home improvement store and ask the painting specialists for their advice.

When choosing a color scheme for your home, consider the architecture. What design points do you want to accent or highlight? If you live in an older home, what color schemes best complements your home's design? Answering these questions can help you form a vision your home's future exterior. But don't worry if you judge incorrectly the first time, materials are relatively inexpensive and color blunders can be easily corrected with a few extra gallons of paint--in a different color--and a little extra work.

The Prep Work
If you're a handy homeowner and plan on tackling the repainting yourself, examine your home for any problems before slapping on that fresh coat. Discoloration can indicate water damage. If you live in a hot climate, the sun can cause peeling, cracking, or blistering. If you are planning to hire professional painters to do the work for you, make sure the price they quote includes the preparation work.

What about my HOA?
If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association and a new color scheme isn't an option, even a fresh coat of your existing color can sharpen your home's appearance. Inquire with your association about their specific regulations.

Sources:
Buzzle.com, The Steps Involved with Exterior House Painting Preparation, by Karl Crowder
True Value, Paint the Exterior of Your Home

About the Author
Sydney Venable lives in the suburbs just outside of Las Vegas. She currently works in education and athletics with the Clark County School District. Before moving back to Las Vegas, she lived in India where she taught English and participated in social programs. She holds a BA in English from the University of Nevada.