How Paint Can Boost Your Home’s Resale Value

a warm neutral beige wall paint and white trim work freshly done in preparation to list the house for sale

Poor Quality Painting Can Lower Your Home’s Value

Avoid painting your house yourself unless you’re confident in your skills. A substandard job—drips, roller marks, and uneven cut lines—can devalue your property. Nothing stands out more than a rushed, sloppy paint job done right before listing. Even if buyers make an offer, they’ll factor in the time and cost of repainting. If you want to increase resale value, make sure the painting is done professionally with quality materials and proper preparation.

Repair and Repaint So Buyers See a Well-Maintained Home

Don’t try to hide problems with paint—but once repairs are done, make sure the surfaces look clean and finished. For example, if a ceiling water stain has been fixed, seal and repaint the area so buyers don’t question whether there’s still a leak. Likewise, fix drywall cracks before painting. Buyers notice every detail you don’t address, and small flaws can make them wonder what else has been neglected.

Paint to Appeal to Buyers, Not Personal Taste

When selling, it’s important to detach emotionally from your colour preferences. You’re painting to attract buyers—not decorating for yourself. Avoid bold or dramatic colours; instead, use light, neutral tones that make spaces feel bright and move-in ready. A soft, modern palette helps buyers envision themselves living there. This also applies to exteriors—choose colours with broad appeal so potential buyers don’t feel repainting is a must-do after purchase.

an interior entry way painted with soft neutral off white paint on the walls and a warm white on the trim work and doors making it ready for sale

Key Areas to Paint Before Selling

Front door and entryway: Create a welcoming first impression.
Main living spaces: Refresh living rooms, kitchens, and family rooms
Bathrooms: A clean, freshly painted bathroom feels more inviting.
Dingy or peeling areas: Repaint anywhere that looks tired or weathered.
Bold or outdated colours: Replace them with subtle, neutral shades.
Children’s rooms: Tone down bright or themed walls.
Ceilings with stains or discolouration: Repair and repaint after fixing the source

a front entry door freshly painted with deep charcoal for a bold statement and to appeal to potential buyers

Preparing Older Homes for Sale

Older homes benefit greatly from a fresh coat of paint. Repair imperfections in walls, trim, and doors to restore their charm. Don’t forget ceilings—they often become discoloured over time. Fresh white ceilings instantly make rooms feel brighter.

For exteriors, the right paint colours can modernize an older property. Fill cracks and nail holes in wood siding before painting. Buyers see a recently painted exterior as a major plus—it’s one less project and negotiation point for them.

The owner of the house below was considering selling in the near future. Either way the house looks clean, fresh and modern whether it’s to continue to enjoy personally or look it’s best if it’s put up for sale.

an home with tired faded green siding and white trim work waiting to be painted in preparation for sale

a home exterior refreshed to selll with crisp white paint on the trim work and a deep gray on the body

From Faded to Fresh: How Paint Revived This Older Home’s Exterior

This older home was initially considered for new siding, but after thorough preparation and a rich, deeper body colour, painting achieved a dramatic transformation at a fraction of the cost. Holes and cracks were filled and a deeper tone was chosen for the body to help minimize imperfections in the older wood. The outdated window shutters were removed. Landscaping was refreshed with new shrubs and bark mulch, and the dark charcoal front door added stylish contrast. For more simple upgrades that can boost your home’s resale appeal, explore our post on home improvements to make before selling your house.

an older home with tired siding and outdated shutters that is in need of some TLC to prepare it for sale

It’s a modest little house, but it’s now showing it’s best potential.

an older home transformed with new paint colours and fresh landscaping in preparation to sell

Before and After: A Home Purchased To Remodel And Sell

This property was purchased specifically to remodel and sell. We repainted the full exterior and interior, turning a tired, weathered house into a bright, elegant home that sold quickly.
See a more of the house here: Exterior Transformation For Resale and here: Painting A Home Purchased To Renovate And Flip

a home with older cedar siding that is grayed and weather before it refreshed with new stain

a older cedar siding house after it has been transformed with gray stain and white trim and new landscaping

Parnell Painting Can Help You Maximize Your Home’s Potential

Thinking of selling your home, condo, or rental property? A professional paint refresh is one of the most effective ways to increase resale value and attract buyers.
Contact Parnell Painting today by email or phone for a free, no-obligation quote.