You elected to sell your home. You may have a mental list of things you want to do to get your home ready. De-cluttering, fixing minor issues, general clean up, cleaning the gutters, fixing the yard and planting some flowers are probably all items included on your list. But have you considered adding a new coat of paint?

Generally speaking, painting your house will increase buyer appeal and may very well lead to a more speedy sale. For example, real estate listings that had a recent paint sold 10% quicker than those how did not. If your house exterior is in terrible condition, this will have an immediate negative effect on potential buyers. Old and peeling paint, poor color combinations, etc are all possible exterior issues that could affect your sale. It would be smart to invest some money to repaint the outside of your house. You want to attract to a large number of potential buyers so select a neutral palette of colors. It should seem like a top quality job so make sure that the paint is applied properly. The value of your home will be increased by this work.

You could also paint only your entry door if you have brick or stonework on the outside of your home or if an overall paint is not an option. A front door that is painted in an attractive contrasting color to the rest of the home will welcome guests and possible buyers alike. Your home will look like it got an instantaneous facelift.

Your house\'s curb appeal will be raised with new outside paint but the inside paint of your home could be a deal breaker. Deep dark colors or busy wall papers may not attract a large number of possible buyers even if you personally like them. Investing in paint is a sure way to give your house a fresh clean feel. Choose neutral colors that will attract the public. Be careful when rolling on the paint and make sure to repair any visible imperfections or to repair any minor holes in the walls. Paint on hardwood flooring is the last thing buyers want to look at.

You can downplay unfavorable aspects of your home while playing up the positive ones by using paint. If you have a modest bedroom, it should painted in a pale color and have small and light colored furniture. A large master bedroom with interesting architectural details can be highlighted with complementary colors that will display the unusual characteristics of the room.

While you are evaluating repainting the inside of your house, take the time to evaluate the condition of your hardwood flooring and the wood trim around the home. Potential buyers may be displeased by dull and scratched hardwood floors and not make an offer to buy your house. Having your floors professionally sanded and re-stained will greatly enhance their condition. Your floors will shine like new making it well worth the money spent.

You should contract a professional painter if you know you will do a poor job or if you absolutely dislike painting. During the summer months, students painters are available for hire at a reduced rate. The final goal is to have your house look like it was painted by professionals even if you did the work yourself.

Selling a house is all about initial impressions. Your porch should be appealing and the walk to your entry door inviting. However, good impressions can turn sour if the inside of the home doesn\'t match the outside. Set aside your personal preferences and select colors and finishes that will attract the largest number of persons. The final goal is after all to sell your home.