Painting a home to rent or sell: what is worth doing?

It is often worth painting a home before renting or selling, because clean, neutral walls help people imagine themselves living there. But you do not need to paint everything. What is worth doing is dealing with the areas that are seen most and the problems that make a home look neglected.

For selling: the first impression

People viewing a home notice the condition of the walls straight away. Stains, marks from furniture, scratches and yellowed paint make a home look old, even if it is in good condition. A simple paint job changes the impression a great deal.

There is no guarantee that painting will increase the sale price, and nobody should promise that. But it helps the home look better in photos and on viewings, and it can stop a buyer from thinking about work that is actually minor.

For renting: durability and ease of upkeep

With a rental, the aim is different. You want walls that stand up to use and are easy to clean. Neutral colours and washable paint, in high-traffic areas, are usually a good choice.

Painting between tenants is also a way of showing the condition in which the home was handed over. It is worth taking photos before and after and keeping the quote.

What to choose: colours and finishes

Light, neutral colours, such as soft whites, sand tones or light grey.
Avoid very strong colours, which divide opinion and can put off interested parties.
Water-based paint with good coverage, to avoid extra coats.
Matt or satin finish on walls, chosen according to the room.
Paint made for bathrooms and kitchens, which tolerates damp and grease.

Where to spend first

If the budget is tight, make a list in order of priority.

Deal with damp and mould. No paint can solve that on its own.
Fill visible cracks and holes.
Paint the living room, hallway and entrance, which are seen straight away.
Paint the kitchen and bathrooms.
Paint the bedrooms and ceilings if there is still budget left.

When it is not worth it

If the buyer is going to completely renovate the home, or if the walls are in good condition, painting may make no sense. Ask an estate agent, or a painter, whether the current condition is acceptable.

Painting in a hurry, without preparation, can make things worse. Paint over open cracks or damp stains shows the problem again after a short time.

Get the home ready for viewings

Painting is only one part. For the home to show well, it also helps to tidy up and remove excess personal items. With fewer things on show, rooms look bigger and the new walls stand out.

Combine the painting with small repairs. Replacing yellowed socket covers, touching up skirting boards and cleaning door frames costs little and completes the job. A new wall next to a dirty skirting board loses its effect.

Tip: Before deciding, ask a painter to look at the home and tell you what is really necessary. Sometimes it is enough to touch up two or three rooms.