If you’re looking to sell your home, or are in the process of remodeling, a fresh coat of exterior paint can go a long way. However, with so many different products available, repainting can be a confusing—and exhausting—task to take on.
“Repainting your house can add instant curb appeal, making a home appear upgraded and well cared for,” says Mary Lynn Stone, President of Century 21 New Millennium. “Picking the right type of paint for your home is vital—the wrong choice can be disastrous and end up creating more work for you. However, if you know what to look for, the process can be hassle free.”
The first step to repainting your house is preparation. “You can be armed with the best paint possible, but if you don’t properly prepare, the outcome can be horrible,” says Stone. Stone suggests scraping and sanding the loose paint off your home before power washing or bleach washing the entire exterior surface. “Don’t forget to wear gloves and protective clothing.”
Stone recommends that the second step to making sure your home-painting process runs smoothly is starting with a high-quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint. “Acrylic latex paint is durable and versatile, which makes it a good fit for wood, siding and masonry. Plus, it has UV protection which discourages fading and peeling.”
If your home’s exterior is made of wood, Stone suggests using a primer first to ensure that your paint adheres to your home with the best grip possible. “Acrylic latex paint is ideal for wood because wood tends to change over time, which means it needs a paint with a high level of elasticity that will expand and contract along with it as the weather changes,” says Stone.
If your house has aluminum or vinyl siding, no primer is needed. However, if you have a glossy siding, Stone suggests a latex bonding primer for best results. “Latex is extremely breathable, which means it allows moisture to pass through, dries quickly and requires no chemical solvents.” This makes your painting job much easier.
“On masonry, such as concrete or stucco, latex paint is superior because it prevents chalking and fading,” comments Stone. Do-it-yourself exterior painting has been extremely popular lately. “Arming yourself—and your home—with the right type of paint will make the process easier, and ensure a great final product that will give your home an extra edge and enable a faster sale,” says Stone.
For more information on updating your home’s exterior, please contact Century 21 New Millennium at move@c21nm.com, 800-382-1101 or Century 21 New Millennium.
CENTURY 21 New Millennium. Smarter. Bolder. Faster.
CENTURY 21 New Millennium, www.c21nm.com, is a full service real estate brokerage company specializing in residential and luxury properties. The Virginia locations are in Alexandria, Centreville, Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Gainesville, McLean, Stafford, and Woodbridge. The Maryland offices are located in Annapolis, Dunkirk, La Plata, Lexington Park and Lusby. Its core services include: mortgage financing, investing, settlement services, property management, property insurance, global relocation assistance, and commercial real estate.