Does a Fresh Coat of Paint on the Outside of Your House Add Value?

Dusty Rhodes • July 27, 2020

A beautiful exterior paint job is a show stopper and gives a homeowner major first impression points. A 2015 study estimated the ROI on an exterior paint job to be 51% while Consumer Reports says that enhancing your home’s exterior, including paint touch-ups, can boost home value by 2-5%.

 

“The main thing you don’t want to see when you walk up—or even in the back—is that your trim or molding shows rot or if the paint’s been chipped off. That’s an easy fix,” said Leighann Russell, a top-selling agent in Buford, GA. “It makes a huge difference.”

 



 But painting the whole house is no small job to take on. It takes experienced painters 5 whole days to paint an entire house exterior (so likely at least double that if you’re an amateur), and costs an average $2,802 to get done. The key then is deciding whether your house needs a full paint makeover or if you could accomplish what you need to with smaller projects.

 

Paint takes a beating as your home’s first line of defense


A lot of factors determine the longevity of exterior paint: the type of surface being painted, the quality of the paint, the skill of the painter (or painting contractor), and of course, the weather.



Brooks Painting, a contractor in Davis, California, that serves the Sacramento area, says that the greatest threat to exterior paint in Northern California is the sun’s UV rays, which cause paint to wear, chalk, and crack.



Paint on a stucco exterior can last about 10 years there; on wooden surfaces, about 5 to 7 years. In other areas, freezing winters and soggy rainy seasons can cause paint to fade, crack, and peel.



Paint that’s in poor shape isn’t a deal breaker during most home appraisals for a conventional loan. However, peeling or chipped paint is an issue with Veterans Administration (VA) appraisers and will need to be fixed before the financing will go through.



A home inspector will make note of defective paint to check if it’s indicative of an underlying issue, Russell said. This can include rot, mold, termites, or siding issues; some siding has been discontinued or recalled because it’s susceptible to mold or swelling, which affects the paint.



Exterior paint contains solvents, pigments, additives, and binders, all of which control the hue, drying time, mildew, and other considerations. Thanks to modern paint technology, two coats of top-quality exterior paint over primed wood can last 10 to 15 years and significantly longer on stucco, according to This Old House. Paints labeled “100 percent acrylic latex” adhere tenaciously to wood, vinyl, masonry, and metal and are flexible, breathable, and more colorfast than those made with acrylic blends or vinyl.



Should you DIY or hire a professional for your exterior paint job?


You’ll save costs on professional labor with a DIY paint job, and if you’re a somewhat handy individual who’s tackled projects around the house before, it can be done.



The most durable paints range from as little as $17 a gallon to more than $100, depending on the brand and composition. But you’ll want to base your decision on a few key factors, like how tall your house is, whether the house has any special architectural features, and the slope of the ground that your house is built on.



If you’re concerned about breathing in the fumes, federal regulations limit the amount of VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, to 250 grams per liter in flat exterior paints and 380 grams per liter in glossy exterior paints.



However, an exterior paint job involves more than just calculating how many gallons you’ll need and buying brushes or a sprayer. Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) recommends cleaning any dirt or debris on the exterior with a pressure washing to help the paint adhere better. You’ll also need to get rid of any previous coats of cracking or peeling paint, and caulk any trim or other cracked panels to ensure the paint goes on smoothly.



You might not have the equipment or materials to paint a whole house yourself—and buyers can tell the difference. “People can tell they did a shady job on it and they’re gonna have to come in there and do it themselves again,” Russell said.



Plus, if your house has more than two stories, you’ll need help. The last thing you probably want to do is be on a ladder painting your home—and it’s gonna take you a lot longer,” Russell said.



“If you hire a painter who’s a professional, generally, they have a team of people, and they can knock it out in a couple days.”


Painting the exterior of a 1,500-square-foot house costs about $1,800 to $3,800 nationwide for paint, supplies, and labor, depending on where you live.


That said, you might not have to paint the entire exterior.

Sometimes exterior paint touch-ups are the better choice

If your home inspector and real estate agent have noticed that the exterior as a whole is in good shape, you might just need to paint the trim and other accents to cover any chips or flaking and give your home a fresh look.

Painting the trim is less costly than painting the exterior. A 1,500-square-foot house has about 500 feet of finished trim, which to paint professionally costs about $750 to $1,800 nationwide, including labor and supplies.

But depending on where you live, a pressure wash might be all your house needs. The PDCA recommends pressure washing your home’s exterior annually to avoid the buildup of dirt and debris.

“In Georgia, you really don’t have to paint your house very often. You can just pressure wash it, and it makes a huge, huge difference,” Russell said. In addition to removing dirt, pressure washing will remove mold or mildew from the outside of a home that doesn’t get a lot of sun.

The average cost of power washing a 1,500-square-foot house nationwide ranges from $400 to $500, depending on location.

Cue the curb appeal!



Should you decide to paint the entire house, designers say you should check your home’s architecture and surroundings. Symmetrical homes, with their sense of formality and heritage, look elegant with a light palette and accents, such as ivory and white, with a front door in a bright welcoming color such as aqua.



Shingle siding in slate gray with white trim and a front door painted a deep navy is a muted but sophisticated look. Cool green, butter yellow, and pure white is a calming palette that draws its inspiration from nature.



By contrast, a beach house in a modern design looks cheery in yellow with white trim but grounded with a cinnamon-brown door. A similar home with ocean blue shingles, white trim, and a front door in royal purple looks playful yet stylish.



Regardless of whether you touch up the trim, power wash the exterior, or hire a professional crew to paint your home’s exterior, the most you might spend might be a few thousand dollars—but the curb appeal pays huge dividends. It not only catches buyers’ eyes but helps cement your asking price.



“Generally, you’ll get back what you put into it,” Russell said.







Source:   HomeLight



Dusty Rhodes Properties is the Best Realtor in Myrtle Beach! We do everything in our power to help you find the home of your dreams. With experience, expertise, and passion, we are the perfect partner for you in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We love what we do and it shows. With more than 22 years of experience in the field, we know our industry like the back of our hands. There’s no challenge too big or too small, and we dedicate our utmost energy to every project we take on. We search thousands of the active and new listings from Aynor, Carolina Forest, Conway, Garden City Beach, Longs, Loris, Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Pawleys Island, and Surfside Beach real estate listings to find the hottest deals just for you!

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Top Mistakes Homeowners Are Making in 2026 (And How To Avoid Them)

By Dusty Rhodes • March 23, 2026
Let’s be clear: selling your house is absolutely possible right now. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), roughly 11k homes sell every day in this country. And the sellers who are making their moves happen all have one thing in common: they’ve adjusted their strategy to match today’s market. They’re realizing inventory has grown. Homebuyers are more selective. And buyer expectations are higher. The sellers who struggle are usually approaching today’s market with yesterday’s expectations. Here are the three biggest mistakes they’re making – and how to avoid them. 1. Pricing Based on What Their Neighbor Got a Few Years Back Setting your price is the most important decision you make when you sell – and the one that’s most often mishandled. Realtor.com data shows almost 1 out of 5 sellers in 2025 had to drop their price. Here’s what those sellers went wrong. Buyers have more choice and more negotiating power now that inventory has grown. And house hunters will actively avoid your house is if feels like it’s priced too high. That’s why overpricing usually leads to: Fewer showings Less competitive (or lowball) offers Longer time on market And all three of those side effects are things you don’t want to deal with. What To Do Instead: The good news is the cure is simple. Just price for today’s buyer, not yesterday’s headlines. Lean on your agent’s knowledge of recent comparable sales, current competition, and local buyer behavior to land in the value “sweet spot” that drives traffic and urgency from day one. 2. Trying To Skip Repairs That Buyers Now Expect A few years ago, you could sell as-is and still get well above asking. Today? Not so much. Right now, NAR says two-thirds of sellers are making at least some repairs. And the reason why is simple. In a market with more inventory, buyers compare homes side by side. Homes that don’t show well (or feel dated) are going to lose attention quickly, even if the issues are minor. What To Do Instead: Ask your agent which high-impact, low-stress updates they’d recommend for your house. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s helping buyers see themselves moving in without a mental to-do list. Small investments in staging, repairs, and curb appeal can make a huge difference in how quickly offers come in – and how strong those offers are. 3. Playing Hardball When Buyers Try To Negotiate Today’s buyers have housing affordability at the top of their minds. And since money is already tight, they’ll be pickier and will probably ask for some compromises from you. Whether that’s making repairs, giving them a credit at closing, or taking just a few thousand dollars off your asking price, negotiating is normal again. So, if something pops up in the inspection, you’re going to need to be open to talking about it. If you’re not, you may very well see your buyer walk away. And some sellers are figuring this out the hard way. Redfin data shows one of the big reasons home sales fell thru in 2025 was inspection or repair issues. Odds are those homeowners weren’t willing to flex a bit to get the deal done. What to Do Instead: Meet with your agent to make sure you understand what buyers in your area care the most about. Align your price with value, present the home clearly and confidently, and stay open to reasonable negotiations that keep deals moving forward.

10 Aging-in-Place Features Pros Swear By

By Dusty Rhodes • March 16, 2026
They’re often called aging-in-place features, but things like curbless showers, nonslip flooring and wide walkways and doorways can benefit everyone, no matter their age or ability. “Regardless of aging in place, there is a place for these in day-to-day life, whether it be a teenager on crutches, a family member having had surgery, active kids,” designer Dana Bass says. “It’s not just about aging in place. We’ve got to account for unplanned life emergencies.” Designer Tammy Battistessa of Ellaire Kitchen & Bath Design agrees. “Whenever possible, I include aging-in-place and universal design features in every project, as I believe many of these features benefit clients of all ages and abilities, in addition to allowing a client to safely remain in their home for a longer period of time,” she says. Creating a home that can adapt also makes it more sustainable. “Aging in place is a key element to making legacy homes that can evolve over time,” architect Tim Barber says. With all that in mind, we asked more than 50 home design and construction professionals to share the aging-in-place features they always recommend. Here are the 10 that came up again and again. 1. Wide Walkways and Doorways Planning ahead is one of the most important steps when incorporating aging-in-place features. Many of these elements require thoughtful design and construction, so it’s wise to start early — and to consider hiring professionals who understand the nuances. “Thinking through how you will really use the space makes all the difference,” designer Haiku Durden of HDS Design says. “Having a designer involved really makes a difference.” A professional can help you create a plan that works for your current needs and anticipates future ones. “We currently default to aging-in-place features when our clients are near retirement or retirement age,” says designer Jenny Guggenheim of Guggenheim Architecture and Design Studio . “Preplanning by adding blocking behind the wall finish, spacious floor planning to allow for wheelchair or walker use.” In fact, spacious layouts are among the most commonly recommended aging-in-place strategies. Wide walkways and doorways — and generous clearances around furniture and fixtures — make it easier for anyone to move through the home comfortably. Installing a continuous flooring material throughout also reduces tripping hazards caused by changes in height or texture between rooms.

The Price You Set Can Make (or Break) Your Sale

By Dusty Rhodes • March 2, 2026
There’s one decision you’re going to make when you sell that determines whether your house sells quickly, or it sits. Whether buyers make an offer, or scroll past it. Whether you walk away with the maximum return, or you end up cutting the price later. And that’s your asking price . The #1 Mistake Sellers Make Today: Trusting the Wrong Number If you’re thinking of moving and trying to figure out what your house may sell for, it’s tempting to start with an online home value tool. They’re fast, free, and easy. And you don’t have to talk to anyone. But here’s the problem: they don’t know your house. And that can be a bigger drawback than you realize. Where Online Estimates Fall Short Online tools often lag behind the market. They look in the rearview mirror, relying on closed sales and delayed information. And in that sense, they’re using incomplete data . That’s not a miss in how these systems are built. Some information just isn’t available online. Bankrate explains: “ While these tools can be a useful starting point, keep in mind that they typically do not provide the most accurate pricing. Algorithms can only rely on the information available; they can’t account for things like a home’s condition or renovations made since the last public information was updated.” They can’t see: The unique features that make your house special All the work you’ve put in to keep it in good condition Or, how in-demand your specific neighborhood is right now So, while they may do a good job in some cases, they can’t be as accurate as a local agent who has boots on the ground day in and day out. In a market where buyers have more options, a seemingly small margin of error can cost you thousands if you price too low, or weeks of lost momentum and time if you price too high. If you want to sell for the most money and in the least amount of time, you don’t want the fast answer on how to price your house. You want the right one. That’s why the savviest homeowners today don’t rely on algorithms when it actually matters. They rely on people, specifically trusted local agents. What an Expert Agent Brings to the Table According to 1000WATT , sellers overwhelmingly believe real estate agents have the best sense of a home’s true value, far more than any automated tools.