Painting Do's and Don'ts for Home Sellers

It's easy, quick and cheap, but don't make the mistake-Light paint colors require two coats, darker colors
that it can cure every homes woes. To do it rightthree or four. Prime everything once to even existing
when selling you should follow some basic rules ofsurface colors out before using finish colors. Gloss
using paint as part of your home marketing to-do list.finishes show wall imperfections more than flat finishes,
Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling ause sparingly.
Home shares some tried and true tips on how to get-Use quality paints. It might not make sense to buy
the most mileage out of repainting a room or an entirebetter paint if you won't enjoy it, but inexpensive paints
house.can really cheapen a paint job and the home. The
-To make the living space of a home appear larger orsmall cost difference isn't worth the gamble.
flow more easily use the same color or hues of the-Bring paint samples home from home improvement
same color in adjoining rooms. The key is to keep thestores to accurately match with carpets and fabrics.
eye moving. Recently a home seller had painted eachPaint manufactures now offer sample sizes, do a wall
room on the first floor a different bold trend color, ittest of any color your thinking of using. Colors look
shrunk the home visually and made it much darker. Adifferent in different lighting and times of day.
new tone-on-tone color scheme I suggested-Don't be tempted to use faux finishes, leafing or
expanded and lightened the house, and it sold soonglazes. They're trendy and very specific in taste.
after the redo.Buyers will think it will take extra time and expense to
-Use eggshell paint on the walls and semi-gloss onremove and change them.
woodwork and trim. White is a fail-safe trim color.-Do take the time to put down drop clothes, tape trim
Buyers get always imagine their wall color choice withand window mullions, remove switch plates and curtain
white trim and they like that they won't have to repainthardware. Paint drips and stains lack attention of detail
the trim.to home buyers.
-To expand room height paint the ceiling a different but-Think twice before have a bath tub or ceramic tile
light color than the walls. A decorator tip that reallyrepainted or finished. To get a good new finish on
works is to add some blue tint to your white ceilingthese surfaces is difficult and buyers run from bubbled
color.bathtub make over's.
-Don't paint laminate kitchen cabinets, the paint peels-If you're not the best painter or time-starved to do the
and wears easily and looks like a quick fix.job right, hire a professional to come in and paint. You
-For a quality paint job, preparation is important. Wallscan focus on other jobs to be done before the
and trim should be sanded, spackled and cleaned, formarketing of your home begins and it will eliminate
paint to adhere properly.additional stress.