A favourite piece of advice from any real estate agent goes something like this – “never underestimate the importance of making a good first impression”.
In property, what agents are really saying is that you should make your home look fantastic from the street. That’s where the first impression is made – not when prospective buyers walk through the front door.
So what does this mean in reality?
Certainly, you should pay close attention to your garden and front footpath. Your lawns and shrubbery should be neat, not wild. The paths should not have cracked cement or wobbly pavers. And, ideally, your home’s exterior will look bright and well-maintained rather than weather-beaten.
Repainting the front of your home is one of the best ways you can make a good first impression with buyers.
If you have a two-storey home, or need to use a ladder at any stage, you should seriously consider employing professional painters.
If this task is in your DIY skill set, give yourself plenty of time to get the job done because there’ll be plenty of other tasks as you prepare your home for your sale.
Here are eight tips for repainting a weatherboard home:
Think finish before starting: What type of finish would you like for the exterior. Low sheen paint is popular because it helps hide surface imperfections. Consider semi-gloss trims and joinery. Gloss is great if you’re going to paint your front door a bold colour.
Here comes the sun: Avoid painting in direct sunlight as it dries the paint too quickly. So, consider how the sun travels across your home during the day.
Ideal conditions: Late spring and early autumn are the best times to paint. You don’t want the day any hotter than 22-25C. A gentle breeze will encourage ideal paint-drying conditions. If you paint on hot days, ask your retailer about including a hot weather additive into the paint.
Safety is paramount: Avoid looking into the sun as you paint, as this can be physically taxing. And wear a hat for sun protection. Take plenty of breaks and hydrate. If you are doing a two-storey property, hire scaffolding rather than stand on a ladder all day long.
Preparation is critical: For repainting weatherboards, consider using a moss and mould treatment that you spray on. Most of these products require 48 hours to cure. Wash down the weatherboard and then decide whether you need to patch any areas. Ideal sandpaper will be 120-150 grit.
Shade is your friend: Begin on the shady side of the house and start with the top weatherboard and work your way down.
Divide the task into sections: Don’t half-paint a board and come back to it the next day as a lap-mark of brush strokes will show. Instead, break the task into sections to avoid this issue.
Don’t rush the drying process: Finally, make sure you let the paint dry properly before adding another coat.