Painting before selling is often one of the most thought about and done actions by sellers.
But is it really necessary? I've spoken to several successful agents in various markets across the US, and the feedback is always mixed. Painting has a magical impact on how a room can feel and impacts how you feel when you walk into a room. A once dark and dreary room can be touched up with a light seafoam to bring about a soft warm feeling.
My first home purchase, the walls were dirty, stained, and the paint was over 20 years old. They had never been touched up, and they had drawings all over it. When I spoke to my realtor about why did they spend the extra few bucks to paint the walls for a buyer, they said the selling agent advised against it, as painting rooms is often the first thing a buyer changes when they move in, which was the first thing I did when I moved in!
However, because the walls were so dirty, old, stain filled, when other potential buyers went to walk the house, they saw it as a mess, and more "work" to do versus a fun project to make the home theirs. But we saw the home for what the potential was, and we loved it and decided to make the offer!
When selling your home, it should be presentable and inviting. When it's not, retail buyers often get intimidated by the work, the costs, the fear of uncoiling further issues within the home, etc. Each situation should be reviewed on a case by case basis so there is no right or wrong answer for ALL situations, but there is a right and a wrong for each situation. My wife's first home - also faced a similar situation. The rooms were painted BRIGHT vibrant colors. It scared potential buyers away. However, in that situation, the homeowners then went to paint the bright rooms in neutral colors, and there was immediately 2 offers on the house. Sometimes spending the few dollars up front may be worth it to bring in a higher sales value and increased competition on the home.
Feel free to give me a call or shoot me with an email to help assess what may be the best for your property.