A fresh coat of paint on your Grand Rapids rental property’s exterior can get you higher rents, higher property values, and better curb appeal. But don’t rush into your first exterior paint job without first knowing a few important things. We’ve gathered these do’s and don’ts to help you know what is needed to do the job right. This would make sure that your rental property will keep on attracting the quality tenants you wish to have.
DO take the time to remove the old paint from the rental property’s exterior. Five Star Painting, a company that gives top-tier painting services, have experts that 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 explanation 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 example, 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 cheap paint will immediately start peeling or fading, and all the hard work you put in will be wasted.
DO seal all surfaces and caulk where necessary, and apply a primer as well. 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 you’ll be putting the paint job on the line. It might appear blotchy and unprofessional.
DO fix the exterior of your rental property before repainting it. It may be a simple job such as power washing your siding, but you may also need to sand the entire outside of the house– depending on the conditions and material of the exterior– and then wipe all surfaces down with a cloth. It’s the same thing for an interior wall, painting it requires a clean and dry surface before you 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. A botched exterior paint job will be a lot more expensive than paying a professional to do it for you.
DO select Real Property Management Investment Solutions 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 the best people in Grand Rapids who can give 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 616-419-8880.
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