Exterior Paint Adds Value and Protects Homes

Exterior Paint Adds Value and Protects Homes

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAX LILLEY, RED OAK REALTY

Whether you’re selling your house and want to get top dollar, or just want to keep the place in tiptop shape, one of the best ways to start is by refreshing the exterior paint job.

Whether you’re selling your house and want to get top dollar, or just want to keep the place in tiptop shape, one of the best ways to start is by refreshing the exterior paint job.

Maintaining a healthy layer of paint is critically important from a maintenance standpoint — especially after the torrential rains this year. And if you’re selling, a new coat of paint could add as much as 5 percent to the sale price, said Maxi Lilley, an Oakland real estate agent.

“Water is the homeowner’s enemy,” said Lilley. “You need to keep the paint in good shape to protect whatever is under it, whether wood shingles or stucco.”

To determine whether it’s time to refresh, check for peeling paint, cracked paint, or small chips coming off the exterior walls, the Red Oak Realty agent said. Faded paint can also diminish the protection afforded to the home.

The good news: You don’t necessarily have to repaint the entire exterior.

In the East Bay, the southern and western sides of the home get the most sunlight, Lilley said. Typically, these surfaces require the most maintenance. Also, flat surfaces like the windowsills, where water can sit, need more attention.

Freshening up those areas could run around $2,000 or $3,000, Lilley estimated. Repainting the entire exterior might be about $10,000, she said.

For homeowners who are getting ready to sell, repainting can pay off. With the median price of an Oakland home about $735,000, a 5 percent price boost comes to roughly $35,000.

When choosing a painter, cheapest is not always the best, according to Hayward agent Anna May of Realty World Neighbors. Also, “get three written proposals,” she said. Ask neighbors who had their homes painted for recommendations, especially those who have lived in the house for a while after the job was done.

Another tactic, suggested by Berkeley agent Nancy Duff: “One of the best ways to see if the painter’s good or not is to drive around. A good painter will usually have a sign in front of a house they’ve painted.” And, May said, “Always use California state-licensed paint contractors. It is well worth the extra investment.”

Faces of the East Bay