I don’t know how many times I get asked this question. But it gets frequently asked. “Should I paint my house before selling”. I’ll admit, neutral interior paints can give that boost in ROI so the home feels a bit move-in ready. I also want to mention that it probably won’t matter if the home needs extensive repairs and the market is a bit tougher than in recent years.
So how much does it cost? I have told clients that professional painting can set them back anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 depending on how much area needs to be covered. Need I remind you that it’s a cost that will never be recovered at closing. Especially when you are going to pay more for the commissions and fees on top of that. I can’t say this enough, you can sell your home as-is to a cash buyer like my team at High Noon Homebuyers.
I was standing in a living room in Irmo last month with a home owner. She asked me this question: “Am I supposed to be painting my house before I sell?” Meanwhile, I was looking at scuffed walls that were painted a bold blue color in 2008. She had told me that the painters in the local area had quoted her about $4,500 before she gave me a call. She couldn’t have cared less about color. She cared about whether or not it was a waste of money. So I answered her question in the same way I’m about to with you:
It is if the house is in need of major repairs. Even if you intend to paint the house and forego the repairs, buyers will notice. Sometimes painting the house can add value in the Columbia market. But that won’t always be the case. Because first impressions are super important and I know this first hand.
I’ve spoken to traditional homebuyers around Lexington, West Columbia and Irmo and heard their expectations. They were wanting clean, bright, and move-in ready homes. But if they see the slightest bit of damage, they’ll be asking for an inspection or there isn’t going to be a deal. Every week, my team and I walk houses and we know that a freshly painted house smells better, looks newer, and easier for a buyer to say yes.
As I mentioned earlier, I conceded that interior painting can give you a modest ROI. In fact, it’s anywhere from 100 to 107 percent. But you don’t care what real estate experts say about ROI. You’re trying to figure out whether or not it’s a waste of time because of the other issues going on with the house. The place may have old flooring, an outdated kitchen, roof issues, and HVAC system problems and still repainting it won’t matter.
In plain English, yes, it will be a waste of money. It won’t be if you are willing to spend money on repairs and repaint it afterwards. You have neither the time and probably not the money to do it.
I have heard stories of plenty of sellers trying to shortcut the process. They’ll say things like “I’ll just offer a paint allowance of $2,000”. It may sound good on paper, but it won’t work 9 times out of 10. I know this because a buyer might think of the following things when walking into a place where the paint is worn. They’ll complain about how it’s going to take work while also wondering if the seller is hiding more or whether there’s other neglect lurking around the corner. Most of the time a buyer will just bow out of the deal altogether. If the seller gets an offer, it’s going to be heavily discounted.
Sellers may offer a $2,000 paint credit. But the buyer will knock down the offer quickly and it’ll be almost four times the amount of the credit itself. That’s because they’re pricing in time, risk, and hassle. Now you see why it’s a failure waiting to happen?
A paint allowance isn’t going to be as good as you think it is. Plus, you’d be passing up on a fair cash offer in Columbia that doesn’t care about the worn paint as much as you do. You want to sell and get out of the house as fast as possible. We can do that on your own timeline, which can be as early as today or tomorrow (whichever is better for you).
One other question is “should I paint the exterior of my house before selling? If there is a lot of work that needs to be done to the house beforehand, no. Because if you need to spend $7,000 or more on exterior painting, you need to make sure if there’s anything else that needs to be worked on. This can be roof work, whether the windows are outdated, or if the interior is dated as well. Exterior paint will never fix the real issue and you end up with yet another sunk cost at the expense of trying to improve curb appeal.
When I stop by to look over a house and see peeling or chipping paint or visible wood rot, I know that needs to be painted. You won’t have to worry about it when you sell it to us. We’ll take care of the issue and whatever else the house needs. But I will say this, the exterior paint issues can be a massive issue and the HOA in the neighborhood can take issue to that. Also, FHA/VA appraisers that are strict with the requirements won’t even bother looking at the home further if there is an urgent need for exterior painting.
I tell clients all the time and they breathe a sigh of relief when they hear it. If the home needs a roof replacement, foundation work, full kitchen remodel, or something major, painting is not the move. As home buyers, my team and I see it as one more project we can focus on. Painting it before you sell it won’t even change that.
Don’t forget that you may be tight on cash too. You probably don’t have $5,000 sitting around. So there’s no point in worrying about DIY painting. I know this because I’ve seen houses where there are uneven lines, missed spots, and drips. And yes, that can also cause buyers to look the other way or offer a heavy discount. But your goal is to sell quickly in as little as 14 to 30 days while also avoiding months of prep.
As I mentioned before, my team and I at High Noon Homebuyers don’t care about the scuffed walls, outdated colors, peeling trim, or old paint. Our job is to look at the property as a whole. We do this with a 15 minute property discovery that has us going over the property, making notes on what needs work, and giving you a cash offer. No painting, cleaning, contractor headaches, or upfront cost. Oh and you don’t even need to spend $5,000 on repairs. Save it for something better and on top of what you’ll get for a fair cash offer. Get out of the Columbia housing market without even listing it officially or waiting months for the right buyer.
I highly recommend you stick with neutral colors like soft whites, light grays, and “greige” tones. Look for colors like “Swiss Coffee” or “Agreeable Gray”. I’ve noticed those colors being quite popular in newly painted homes.
Only if the cabinets are solid structurally and if the finish looks outdated and not damaged. Keep in mind that professional cabinet painting runs anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000.
At High Noon Homebuyers, we buy houses in West Columbia and provide you with a cash offer in as little as 7 to 14 days. Even if your house needs painting, don’t worry about it. It won’t affect the timeline of when you get the cash offer.
I don’t want you to waste another weekend on a project that will waste time and money. You need a clear decision and need it now. If the house is in good shape, painting helps. If it’s in need for repairs, it’s pointless. Either way, consider scheduling a 15 minute property discovery from High Noon Homebuyers. My team will go over the property both inside and out and take a look at what could be worked on and more. From there, you get the cash offer deal and you’re on your way to whatever plans you may have. To see how it works or if you have any questions, contact us today.
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