FSBO
House Painting for the For Sale By Owner

There is more to selling a house than putting up a For Sale sign. FSBO sellers have many decisions right from the start. For the biggest impact for the least amount of money, house painting needs to be at the top of the FSBO sellers list of thing to do before the sign in put in the yard.

Think of this as home improvement painting for a better sale. The idea is to increase the curb appeal and attract eager buyers. You don't want the possible buyer thinking about the cost of repainting your home.

Many areas of a home can benefit from a fresh coat of paint and painting the interior or exterior is the cheapest way to fix-up your house. A big plus is if done right, your house could sell faster and at a better price. Luckily many painting projects are easy to do and definitely will benefit the FSBO seller with a better sale.

I do a lot of work for real estate agents and have noticed that painting, plus general repairs, is at the top of their lists of things to do for a better sale.

FSBO Sellers Home Painting Ideas
Cost Effective Home Improvement Tips

Undoubtedly any peeling paint will have to be removed and these areas repainted, but there is more to think about than peeling paint. Both the exterior and interior can benefit from a fresh coat of paint and the prospective home buyer will notice if things don't look there best.

A proper evaluation of your house is needed in order to paint what needs to be painted and find ways of improving the look and saleability. The following tips easily apply whether your house is being sold by a real estate agent or For Sale By Owner.

Since you either are a FSBO seller or thinking about selling your own house you will want to continue to save money and take charge of the home improvement possibilities. Most DIY home painting projects are easy to do and inexpensive.

Exterior Painting for the FSBO Seller
Have a Good First Impression

Curb appeal is a concept you need to get used too. Your house must scream "Stop and Take a Look". Exterior painting can add subtle changes or totally transform your house. You can do this work yourself or hire a paining contractor. Either way know the steps involved and options available.

Begin with a good washing. Dirt, pollution and spider webs will dull a finish and give a dingy appearance. Often pressure washing alone can dramatically improve the appearance of a house.

No need to strip the paint, just a good washing with a low PSI pressure washer. Use a biodegradable soap, such as Simple Green, and rinse well. This applies to brick and vinyl siding as well as other pre-finished or unpainted surfaces.

Other areas needing washing are the windows and wood decks. Wood fences can be made to look new with a pressure washer. Sparkling windows and a deck well cared for points to a house properly maintained.

After the washing you will have a better idea of what surfaces need painting or repair. Plan on painting any surfaces that have peeling or stains that couldn't be removed with the pressure washer. Pay special attention to the front door, garage door and trim. These are the defining elements and affect any first impressions.

If your home lacks character, for example is a box with windows, consider installing vinyl shutters next to the front windows. These shutters are easily painted and installed. Plus they are inexpensive. For very little money and effort an entirely new look can be achieved.

Another option is the doors. An old dingy front door or garage door is unattractive and something the prospective buyer will notice. Spend some time rehabilitating the doors. Replace broken or damaged moldings. Stained solid wood doors might need to be stripped and refinished. Refinishing a door can be inexpensive, requiring more effort than money. A new lock set and kick plate along with a new finish will make a door look new.

Spend some time getting the exterior in order before concentrating on the interior. Remember the front of your house is the first thing a buyer sees and all opinions are formed from this first impression.

FSBO Sellers Interior Home Painting
Showing Off the Inside

The interior of your house needs to continue or improve upon the initial impression of the buyer. Fortunately there is a lot of interior painting that can be done and most of it very inexpensive if you do it yourself.

Basic repairs are the most obvious areas to start. Repair all holes and cracks in the walls and ceilings. Most drywall and plaster repairs are simple. Cracked corners can be caulked and small holes simply filled with light weight spackle. Larger repairs will require more mental effort.

Take your time in order to get used to the tools and techniques. If you don't feel confident with your abilities you won't do a good job. Other areas of concern are the widows, doors and trim. These items always take a beating and will require some sanding, patching, caulking and painting. If you have a lot of stained wood consider applying a Danish oil finish. Choose a color close to or slightly darker.

Another option concerns large focal points such as mantles. After years of use they tend to become damaged with deep scratches and dents. Guess what, you have a "Distressed Finish" or with a little additional help you will have a distressed finish. If done right this type of finish looks really neat and is easier and cheaper than refinishing or replacing. I have done this several times to mantles and cabinets.

Speaking of cabinets, paint offers a wide array of possibilities. You could try a new solid color to freshen up the cabinetry or an entirely new look, crackling. Crackling is quite easy and offers a new unique look. Refinishing cabinets is another great DIY project that will save you a lot of money.

There is more to interior home painting than the walls. As a FSBO seller you need to think about subtle changes that are inexpensive and will spark interest in your home. These ideas also apply to houses being sold through a real estate agent, not just the FSBO seller.

Choosing Colors and Sheens for Improved Salability

The choice of colors for the interior and exterior painting will have a big impact on the buyer. Unfortunately, you have no way of knowing what colors the buyer will like or dislike. Choose colors carefully. Repainting shouldn't be on the buyers mind.

Choosing Exterior Paint Colors

• No flashy or intense colors for the body or trim. Reserve accent colors for the front door or shutters.
• Use neutral colors whenever possible.
• Your house should not stand out in the neighborhood. Don't match the neighbors but blend with the neighborhood.

Choosing Interior Paint Colors

• Neutral colors should be used. This includes off whites and tans.
• No intense faux finishes. Keep everything subtle and simple.
• Ceilings can be lighter than the walls. This will produce the illusion of taller walls.
• Trim such as base, casing and doors can match the ceiling color or be lighter. These items need to contrast the walls.

Another consideration is the paint sheen used. In living areas, this includes bedrooms and the recroom, the ceilings should be flat and walls either flat or satin. In wet rooms, bath or laundry rooms, use satin or semi-gloss sheens. Keep the sheens subdued. Lower sheens will hide imperfections.

Quality or Quantity
FSBO Sellers Home Painting for the Sale

As a promoter of quality, I believe all surfaces are created equal and deserve ones best effort. I also understand your apprehension to spend money on property that is for sale. I still believe that quality if worth every penny, especially when the results look their best. The overall increase in costs for quality materials or labor is lower than you think when compared to a cheap paint job. The reduced quality will turn some buyers away and cause others to haggle over the cost of repainting.

As an FSBO seller you have a unique opportunity to save money on the sale. Consider spending a little extra on the labor and materials of your paint job. Quality workmanship equals pride of ownership and this will produce a better selling experience.