Curb Appeal

Whether your property is for rent or for sale, curb appeal is important. With so many rental homes and homes for sale on the Outer Banks, the real estate market is more competitive than ever. The curb appeal of your house will impact how many rentals you book or how soon your home will sell. If you are skeptical, just ask any rental company or real estate agent.

The most cost-effective improvement a homeowner can make to increase curb appeal is paint. A good paint job can cause prospective renters or buyers to overlook other deficiencies, whereas a bad paint job can lead them to over-scrutinize the property. This can lead to lost rental income and lost sales.

It’s easy to understand why painting is the most frequently requested type of work in a massive home improvement market. The cost of painting is relatively low. However, beware of painters who promise the lowest possible price - your “savings” won’t mean much if you receive a low quality product without after-sale service.

Here on the Outer Banks there is an endless supply of people who call themselves painting contractors and promise the same job at a lower price. So how do you differentiate a quality contractor from a fly-by-night contractor?

A good place to start is with trade associations and references. Is your painter a member of the Chamber of Commerce? How about the Painting Contractors Association (PCA)? Is your painter a member of the local Home Builders Association? Membership in these organizations indicates that a contractor is serious about business, community, and industry standards. It’s the simplest way to start the vetting process.

While every company promises to deliver value, statistics show that this market is sorely lacking in professionalism. If you are still unsure after talking to all bidders, contact the PCA or the local paint stores. Do your homework, develop relationships with reputable companies, and you’ll sleep better knowing that your property has the curb appeal that makes it stand out from the others.