Interior Painting Benefits
Many experts in the real estate field would advise a homeowner to paint their house inside and out before putting it up for sale. It is certain that the overall appearance of the home can affect the selling price of the property; but is it a major influence on the property appraisal?
A professional property appraiser such as Abbe Edelman is probably not going to be too concerned with the color of the interior walls of a home as much as he will consider the condition of the walls. However, certain colors can have a negative influence on a home’s selling price. While a property appraiser may not be too concerned about the wall’s color, the condition of the walls can affect the appraiser’s opinion of the overall value of the home. It is certain that a fresh coat of paint will improve the look of the home and assure the appraiser that it has been well taken care of by the present owner. These factors do weigh in on the assessed value of the property.
Choosing Interior Paint Colors
Most professionals will agree that neutral colors are best used for interior painting projects. Sure, you may have loved the bright yellow kitchen or purple living room. But these colors may not appeal to everyone so it is best to play it safe and use neutral colors on the walls. Painting conservatively will appeal to more people as color can be a big factor for most people.
Interior paint colors are also a huge factor in the way a room is perceived. Darker colors can make rooms feel much smaller. While it may seem cozy for the homeowner, it can feel constricting to another. Avoid especially dark walls and dim lighting. The home should feel spacious and light for the appraiser as well as a potential buyer.
Condition of the Paint
Peeling paint or walls that are in disrepair can affect a property appraiser’s evaluation of the home. When paint is left peeling or chipped the appraiser will have to assume that many routine maintenance requirements have been left undone. This can affect the value he attaches to the property. It may be a lot easier to do some touch-ups here and there, especially on light colored walls. However, the best solution is to make any needed repairs to walls or inside trim and repaint the entire area. It is very important to make the repairs before painting and not assume that the needed repairs can only be covered with a coat of paint. A professional property appraiser will be looking at the overall condition of the home. Make any necessary repairs before painting.
What Needs Interior Painting
Take a good look at your home as if you were planning on buying it again. Carefully assess the walls, trim and ceilings in each room or area of the home. Walls that are colored too boldly or in trendy colors should be painted in neutral tones such as cream or light tans. Look at the trim in each room and specifically inspect the trim around doors and windows to see if there is any water or weather damage that needs to be repaired. Any broken or missing pieces of trim should be replaced and trim should be at least washed if not entirely repainted to ensure its aesthetic appearance. If the walls are painted, old trim will stick out like a sore thumb. Be sure to inspect the ceilings in each room too. If there are signs of water leaks or damage make sure to make the necessary repairs to the source of the problem and then paint the areas with fresh interior paint. Typically, ceilings are painted in white or cream, walls in neutral colors and trim is painted white or a darker neutral color.
