03 Dec
Painting Your Home Before Selling or Moving In: Worth It?

Key Features

  • Increased Home Value: Painting before selling can increase the sale price of your home by up to 7%.
  • Convenience and Cost Savings: Painting an empty house before moving in is quicker, more convenient, and often cheaper.
  • Healthier Environment: Painting before moving in helps reduce exposure to paint fumes and creates a safer living space.


Cost Benefits and Enhanced Appeal

Whether you’re getting ready to sell your home or just purchased a new one, painting is an essential step to consider. We’ve helped countless homeowners increase their property’s value or make their new place feel like home with a fresh coat of paint. In this article, we’ll explore why painting before selling or moving in can make such a difference, and how you can maximize its benefits. Let’s dive in!

Painting your home before selling or moving in is one of the smartest decisions you can make, both for cost savings and enhancing the overall appeal. A fresh coat of paint can transform a property, making it more attractive to potential buyers or creating a space that truly feels like home for you. We see firsthand the difference that a new paint job can make—both in appearance and value. Let’s explore why painting before selling or moving in can be such a game-changer.


Things to Know

  • Neutral colors sell homes—they help potential buyers imagine their own furniture in the space.
  • Painting before moving in saves time and effort—you won’t have to work around furniture or risk damage.
  • Curb appeal matters—a freshly painted exterior can significantly boost your home's first impression.
  • High-quality paint lasts longer, providing a better return on investment.
  • Professional painters ensure a flawless finish, saving you time and giving you peace of mind.



Why Should You Paint Your Home Before Selling?

Selling a home can be challenging, and you want every advantage you can get to make your property stand out. Painting the interior or exterior of your house can increase its value and make it more appealing to buyers. Here’s why:

1. First Impressions Matter

The first thing potential buyers see when they approach your home is the exterior, and a well-maintained paint job can make a great first impression. Studies have shown that curb appeal can impact the sale price of a home significantly. According to HomeLight, a well-painted exterior can lead to buyers paying up to 7% more for a well-maintained home.

2. High Return on Investment

Painting is one of the most cost-effective home improvements you can make before selling. Bob Vila states that painting the interior of your home can increase the sale price by 1% to 3%, providing a high return on investment. With such a simple update, you can potentially add thousands to your asking price.

3. Neutral Colors Attract More Buyers

Neutral colors are your best friend when it comes to preparing your home for sale. Soft grays, whites, and beiges appeal to a broader range of buyers, helping them envision their own style in the space. A freshly painted, neutral-toned home looks clean, modern, and ready to move in.

Benefits of Painting Before Moving In

If you’ve just bought a home, you might be debating whether to paint before or after you move in. Painting before you settle in offers several benefits, including convenience, cost savings, and better results.

1. Easier and More Efficient

Painting an empty house is a lot easier than trying to work around furniture and belongings. CET Painting notes that painting before moving in is faster and more efficient. There’s no need to cover furniture or worry about paint splatters on your favorite couch. With empty rooms, professional painters can move swiftly, saving time and reducing labor costs.

2. Better Personalization

Moving into a new home is exciting, and painting before you move in gives you a chance to make the space truly yours. Whether you want bright accent walls, soothing pastels, or any other color that speaks to you, painting before moving in makes it easier to get the look you want without the hassle of rearranging furniture.

3. Health and Safety

Painting involves fumes and odors that can linger for a while, especially if you’re using oil-based or high-VOC paints. Kraudelt Painting points out that painting before moving in is healthier because it allows fumes to dissipate before you or your family occupy the home, creating a safer environment.


In Our Experience

"Painting before selling or moving in makes a huge difference in both value and comfort. At Lightmen Painting, we often see homes sell faster and at higher prices simply because they look well-maintained and move-in ready. For new homeowners, painting before moving in is a no-brainer—it's easier, healthier, and lets you add your personal touch from day one."



Key Factors to Consider When Painting Before Selling or Moving In

1. Choose High-Quality Paint

Investing in high-quality paint is worth it. Not only will it give better coverage, but it also lasts longer, meaning fewer touch-ups down the line. Plus, premium paints often have low or zero VOCs, which is better for air quality.

2. Hire a Professional

While DIY painting is an option, hiring professionals like Lightmen Painting ensures you get a flawless finish. Professionals have the tools, skills, and experience to handle everything from prep to cleanup, delivering a perfect result every time.

3. Timing

If you’re selling your home, timing is everything. Painting should be one of the first steps in preparing your home for sale. A fresh coat of paint sets the stage for staging and other preparations, allowing you to market your home in the best possible light.

Cost vs. Benefit: Is It Worth Painting Before Selling?

Absolutely! The benefits of painting before selling far outweigh the costs. Here’s a quick comparison of the potential return on investment:


ImprovementEstimated CostPotential Increase in Sale Price
Interior Painting$3,500 - $8,0001% - 3% increase in sale price
Exterior Painting$4,000 - $7,500Up to 7% increase in sale price


As you can see, a relatively small investment in painting can yield significant returns, making it one of the best pre-sale improvements you can make.

Final Thoughts: Why Painting Matters

Painting your home before selling or moving in offers a range of benefits, from increasing property value to making your new space feel just right. At Lightmen Painting, we understand how much impact a fresh coat of paint can have. Whether you're looking to impress potential buyers or create a welcoming environment for your family, investing in quality painting services is a step worth taking.

If you’re ready to transform your home, reach out to us at Lightmen Painting. We’re here to help make your vision a reality, with professional expertise that ensures a perfect finish every time.


Don't take our word for it, look what everyone says...


  • Bob Vila: Painting a home’s interior can increase the sale price by 1% to 3%, offering a high return on investment.
  • HomeLight: Improving curb appeal with exterior paint can lead to buyers paying up to 7% more for a well-maintained home.
  • Today's Homeowner: A quality exterior paint job is one of the most cost-effective improvements before listing a home.
  • Ready Steady Sell: Painting enhances first impressions, a crucial factor in attracting potential buyers.
  • Clever Real Estate: Painting your house before selling can boost its marketability and potentially increase the sale price.
  • The Spruce: Painting your home before moving in allows for personalization and can be more cost-effective.
  • Moving Tips: Painting before moving in can reduce costs and prevent damage to belongings.
  • Dumbo Moving: Painting an empty house before moving in is more practical and time-efficient.
  • Renovate Central: Painting before moving in minimizes stress and saves time.
  • Onsar Group: Painting before moving in can be more convenient and cost-effective.
  • FlipSplit: A well-done paint job can make spaces feel brighter and more inviting.

Do You Have Questions? Give Us A Call With Any & All! 503-389-5758


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People Also Ask:

Should I paint my house before selling it?

Yes, painting your house before selling can increase its market value and appeal to potential buyers. It helps make a great first impression and can lead to higher offers.

What are the best colors to paint a house before selling?

Neutral colors like soft grays, whites, and beiges are the best choices, as they appeal to a broad range of buyers and help them visualize themselves in the space.

Is it better to paint a home before or after moving in?

It’s generally better to paint before moving in because it’s more efficient, allows for better personalization, and avoids issues with paint fumes.


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Thanks for stopping by Lightmen Daily! Stay tuned for more practical tips and expert advice on making your painting projects flawless, from wall to floor!


Definitions

  • Curb Appeal: The attractiveness of a property as viewed from the street, often crucial in making a good first impression on buyers.
  • Return on Investment (ROI): A measure used to evaluate the profitability of an investment, in this case, the increased value from painting.
  • VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds): Chemicals found in some paints that can release harmful fumes into the air; low or zero VOC paints are safer for indoor use.
  • Neutral Colors: Colors like gray, beige, or white that appeal to a wide audience and create a clean, versatile backdrop.
  • First Impression: The initial impact a home has on potential buyers, significantly influenced by curb appeal and overall appearance.
  • Accent Wall: A wall painted a different color from the rest to create a focal point in a room.
  • Professional Painting Services: Services offered by trained painters that ensure quality, efficiency, and a flawless finish.
  • Prep Work: The process of preparing surfaces before painting, including cleaning, sanding, and priming, crucial for a high-quality finish.
  • Low VOC Paint: Paint with low levels of volatile organic compounds, making it safer for indoor air quality.
  • Staging: The process of arranging furniture and decor in a home to make it more appealing to buyers.


Lightmen Painting Serving: Portland, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Tualatin, West Linn, Milwaukie, Sherwood, Happy Valley, Oregon City, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham   -Trade Partners-

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