A fresh coat of paint on your Mt. Vernon rental property’s exterior can get you higher rents, higher property values, and better curb appeal. But don’t jump into your first exterior paint job yet! There are a few important things that you need to know first. We’ve assembled a list of do’s and don’ts that can help you learn what you need to do the job correctly. This ensures that the quality tenants you want for your rental property would remain attracted to it.
DO take the time to remove the old paint from the rental property’s exterior. The pros over at Five Star Painting say that the prep work you do before you start to paint is the most important part of the process. It is essential that you figure out what type of paint your rental currently has and how old it is. The rationale for this is that any paint dating from 1978 or before has lead in it and can make you sick if you just start scraping away. Another consideration is the building material of the exterior; as an illustration, if your home has asbestos siding, you may need a professional to do the job.
There are several different ways to remove old and peeling paint, from scraping or power washing to chemicals to heat guns. Take the time to research the different methods available so you could choose the one best suited for your particular property. Then buy the right tools to get the job done faster and easier.
DON’T forget to measure carefully to ensure you have enough paint to finish the job properly. See to it that you have extra for touch-ups, or if you intend to do more than one coat, make sure the paint you have is sufficient to coat the entire surface twice. A good quality exterior paint is also very important. Don’t use cheap paint since it would only begin peeling or fading instantly, and the time, effort, and hard work you put in will be wasted.
DO seal all surfaces and caulk where necessary, and do apply a primer. At Five Star Painting, their experts recommend this step for exterior surfaces. This is because the primer will help seal exterior walls, including newly repaired spots. It also gives the paint something to adhere to.
DON’T rush through the job and attempt to apply a primer or paint to an exterior right after paint removal. Exterior surfaces need time to dry completely before moving on to the next step, or else you’ll jeopardize the paint job. It may result in it looking blotchy and unprofessional.
DO make all the necessary repairs to the exterior of your rental property before repainting. It may be a task that’s as simple as power washing your siding. However, depending on the material and condition of the exterior, you may need to sand the entire outside of the house and wipe all surfaces with a cloth. It’s much like painting an interior wall, you need to have a clean and dry surface before any painting can begin.
DON’T let time and money go to waste by neglecting to learn the necessary information and skills before starting an exterior painting job. If you don’t have enough time or experience to be able to the job right, think about hiring professionals to do it instead. Fixing up a botched exterior paint job is certainly more expensive than the cost of getting a professional to do it for you.
DO employ Real Property Management Results to do the job for you. Instead of spending all that time and hassle trying to DIY the project, our team of experts has connections with superb teams in Mt. Vernon who can do top-quality exterior painting services at a reasonable price. To know more about what we can do for you, please contact us online or give us a ring at 812-461-1676.
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