10 "Touchups" That Can Help Sell Your Home

News provided by

Mar 22, 2016, 07:32 ET

SPRING HOUSE, Pa., March 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes time to sell your home, it can pay to touch up the painting. The higher perceived value of a properly maintained home is well documented, and there's no easier (or more economical) way to give the impression than with some fresh paint.

Where should a home seller focus? Here is a list of 10 top touchups, according to experts at the Paint Quality Institute:

If you want buyers to come rushing to your door, make sure the front door is well painted. A fresh coat of paint here will make a great first impression.
Next up is the entrance hall, where prospects get their initial glimpse of the interior. At the very least, clean every surface and touch up areas where the paint shows marks or nicks. Better yet: Put on a fresh coat of neutral-colored paint throughout.
Bathrooms and kitchens get special scrutiny from prospective buyers, so give extra attention to these rooms. Touch up as needed and put plenty of effort into the powder room, which many will visit during their tour of your home.
Size does matter when it comes to the kitchen. If you want to make yours look bigger, then paint the kitchen white or off-white. At the very least, remove food stains from the walls and conceal water spots by applying primer followed by some touchup paint.
Look at your windowsills, especially if your view is special. Prospects will likely spend time gazing out. Don't spoil the moment. Sand, prime, and paint the most important sills as needed.
Check your woodwork. You can quickly touch up chipped or marred paint on chair rails and floor molding.
Inspect areas that come in frequent contact with soiled hands – especially window frames, door frames, edges of doors, and walls around light switches. If the areas are dirty, you may be able to clean them, assuming you used a glossier paint; if that doesn't work, then do touchup painting.
Same approach with cabinet doors: Scrub clean of fingerprints, if possible, or touch up painted areas. Pay special attention to the kitchen, which should be spotless.
Water stains on the ceiling from old roof leaks are a huge red flag for prospective buyers. After making certain that your roof is sound, be sure to prime and re-paint these potential "deal-breakers".
Put the finishing touches on your home by scrutinizing every remaining wall and painted surface, looking for stray flecks of paint, as well marks and stains from whatever source. Conceal them with some touchup paint, and your home will be good to go...and show!

The Paint Quality Institute advises that this list of touchups isn't just for home sellers, it's also a handy checklist if you're staying put. And springtime is a great time to tackle these minor projects, when the days are longer and you can throw open the windows for a burst of fresh air.

To learn more about paints and painting, visit www.blog.paintquality.com.