If you're thinking about selling your home in Atlanta, one of the easiest and most effective ways to increase its appeal is with a fresh coat of paint. Believe it or not, painting is often considered the best return on investment (ROI) in real estate. A Zillow survey conducted by The Harris Poll found that 40% of recent sellers painted their home’s interior before selling, and nearly 30% said that this project helped their home sell. Let’s look at the cost of painting, tools needed, and the best paint for interiors to attract buyers.
Why paint matters
New paint can work wonders in attracting more buyers. It not only freshens up your home but also gives it a clean, modern look that appeals to a wide range of people.
While painting offers great benefits, it can be pricey. The cost of paint has risen a lot over the past few years, and whether you choose to do it yourself (DIY) or hire professionals, it’s important to weigh the costs and effort involved.
The costs of DIY interior painting
If you decide to tackle the painting yourself, be prepared for both time and expense, although DIY painting can save you a lot of money. In fact, according to J.D. Power, in 2023, “…the percentage of paint customers applying their own interior paint has increased to 70%, up from 65% in 2022.”
Also, according to a J.D. Power U.S. Paint Satisfaction Study in December 2022 to January 2023, the best paint for interiors of well-known paint brands are Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and BEHR.
Items needed for a DIY interior paint project include:
- Drop cloths to protect your floors and furniture.
- Painter’s masking tape to mark off areas.
- Painting supplies like rollers, brushes, paint thinner, and stir sticks.
- Scrapers for peeling or chipped paint to ensure a smooth finish.
Paint costs vary depending on the brand and type of paint. Flat paint is less expensive, while high gloss costs the most. According to Angi.com, “The average cost of a gallon of paint is $25, but prices might range from $20 to $70. Paint prices depend on the type, quality of the paint, and quantity of paint.” The Sherwin-Williams paint calculator is a handy tool to figure out how much paint you’ll need.
While you don’t need a permit for painting, depending on your location or homeowners association (HOA), you may need a license or permission. And if you choose not to DIY, hiring a professional painting crew can be a significant investment.
Professional interior paint costs
If you decide to hire professionals, most of the cost will be for labor. According to Forbes, “While most painters charge $2 to $7 per square foot for inside paint projects (which include at least two coats of paint), choosing to add window and door trims, moldings or painted doors will increase your costs slightly.”
Current interior trends and colors that appeal to buyers
It’s important to remember that paint trends change quickly. A color that was all the rage 5–10 years ago may now look outdated. According to HouseBeautiful.com, the following colors for specific rooms will elevate the price of your home:
- Kitchen paint colors: Silver, pewter, navy, mint green and charcoal. Different shades of green are trending.
- Bedroom paint colors and living room paint colors: Slate gray and blue
- Bathroom paint colors: Terra cotta and other subdued shades of orange
Lead paint considerations
Peeling and chipped paint can be more than just an eyesore—it can actually mess up home loan applications.
A home inspection might be required to check for any underlying issues, especially if the home is older and may have lead paint (common in homes built before the 1970s).
Key areas to paint
When choosing where to paint, focus on high-impact areas that buyers will notice:
- Front door: A red front door is popular in some areas, though if you’re considering a bold choice like black, make sure it complements the overall style of your home. According to HomesandGarden.com, “Departing from traditional whites and neutrals, bold colors like deep navy, charcoal black, and rich burgundy are taking center stage. This shift towards darker tones brings an air of sophistication and drama to home exteriors, instantly elevating curb appeal. While a ‘pop of color’ has been a go-to for decades, those with a little more reserve are leaning towards an elegant dark mahogany or classic black in a high gloss finish.”
- Interior window trim: Fresh trim can make windows look sharp and clean.
- Kitchen and bathroom cabinets: Repainting cabinets can totally change the look of these rooms, modernizing your kitchen and bathrooms without the need for expensive renovations.
- Walls in key rooms: Focus on bedrooms, the kitchen and the living room, as these are the areas where buyers spend the most time.
An alternative to painting the inside of your house.
If painting isn’t worth the upfront expense or is too much of a hassle, you can sell your house “as is” to HomeVestors®, an off-market house-buying company in Atlanta. We buy houses in all kinds of conditions, from pristine homes to houses that need a lot of TLC. We make the transaction fast and stress-free, too, and serve all our sellers with a personal touch. We typically buy houses at below market value in exchange for speed and convenience.
Simply reach out to set up a free, no-obligation consultation with us. One of our friendly Atlanta property buyers will meet you at your house, take a tour, and answer your questions. We can sometimes provide an offer on the same day. If you accept our offer, we may be able to close in as little as 3 weeks. If you need more time, we’ll try our hardest to arrange that.
Let us buy your house so that you can avoid the hassles of a traditional sale. Our excellence and seller support are demonstrated by our nationwide 95%* customer satisfaction rating from sellers who responded to our post-sale survey, as well as our amazing seller reviews. Reach out now and take the first step toward a fast, smooth, and convenient sale!
