A little paint, a long way.

What are the things you should invest in, that will reward you the day you will resell your home? Well, first of all, PAINT! Here is an article from Harcourts I want to share with you, it gives you a run down of how a little paint can keep your home looking fresh.

Painting your home may seem like a daunting job, but the rewards of a fresh coat of paint go a long way.

Keeping up on the condition of your interior and exterior walls guarantees not only pleasant surroundings, but also less to worry about in the event of a sudden move. Potential buyers will often remark on a house that is consistently well-maintained as one they’d often admired over the years and could very well be excited to see it on the market.

Don’t think you have to repaint your whole house every year, but consider refreshing one or two rooms each year on a rotational basis. Some people also treat their exteriors that way, keeping the same neutral colour, and painting one wall a year.

Take down any wall hangings and fill the holes with filler from your hardware store. Remove door stops and electrical outlet covers (carefully).

Wash walls thoroughly with an appropriate cleaner and leave to dry thoroughly. Make sure you get the mix right so you don’t leave any residual detergent on the wall which could ruin your new paint-job.

Cover any area that you don’t want painted or splattered. Use a drop cloth to cover floors and furniture you can’t move. Mask off walls and woodwork that aren’t to be painted with masking tape that will peel off easily without damaging surfaces.

Get good quality and right size brushes and rollers for the job and paint type. Remember to get a couple of smaller brushes for tight spots.

The final ‘look’ can be sharp or sloppy, no matter how much work you put in, so practice ‘cutting in’ tight corners and take a little extra time to get it right. Ask your local paint shop experts whether you should start with walls or ceilings first depending on your style of home.

Don’t be impatient. Read the paint instructions to leave enough time in between coats so they dry properly.

Three thin coats is a far better finish than one thick coat of paint!

Have an area ready and set-up to clean brushes and rollers as soon as you finish. Take the extra time required to rinse them clean. While this is the part of the job that few people like, a bit of extra effort will keep your brushes in top condition for another day.   

Reposted from Harcourts