A fresh coat of paint on your Atlanta 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 compiled some do’s and don’ts that can give you the information needed to do the job right and make sure the quality tenants you want will continue to be interested in your rental property.
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 would be necessary to 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 learn the different methods so you could decide which is best for your particular property. Then go 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. Get a little bit more than what seems to be all you need. There will be some touch-ups and you will need that extra paint. Or if you’re going to do more than one coat, make sure to have enough to paint the entire surface twice. A good quality exterior paint is also very important. Don’t use cheap paint because it will start peeling or fading right away, and all your hard work will be wasted.
DO seal all surfaces and caulk where necessary, and be sure to apply a primer. The specialists at Five Star Painting recommend this step for exterior surfaces. The reason for this is that the primer will help seal exterior walls, including newly repaired spots. Another characteristic of primers is that it gives the paint something to adhere to.
DON’T rush through the job. Sometimes we do things too soon so we can finish the work immediately, to the detriment of quality. But you should not 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 be taking chances with the paint job, running the risk of it appearing blotchy and unprofessional.
DO repair all that needs fixing before repainting your rental property’s exterior. It may be as simple as power washing your siding, but you may also have to sand the entire outside of the house and wipe all surfaces down with a rag. It’s exactly the same as painting an interior wall; you must have a clean and dry surface before any painting can begin.
DON’T let time and money be wasted by doing an exterior painting job without first getting the right knowledge and acquiring the correct skills. If you don’t have the extra time or experience required to perform the job correctly, consider hiring professionals to do it for you. A botched exterior paint job will result in a greater expense than any amount you’d spend on professionals.
DO use the services of Real Property Management Executives Greater Atlanta 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 excellent vendors in Atlanta who can render high-quality exterior painting services at a sensible price. Feel free to contact us online or by phone at 678-765-8383. We’ll be glad to answer any of your questions.
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