Rental Season Prep - Curb Appeal
Last Updated: February 9, 2017
With another rental season just around the corner, curb appeal can make a dramatic difference to any home that is for sale or in a rental program. With so many choices on the OBX, the market is more competitive than ever. If your house is in a rental program, you have to “sell” your home on a weekly basis to potential renters.
Here are a few things to consider when prioritizing your needs for the season:
- Power Washing: While deep cleaning the interior of your rental home is a necessity, cleaning the exterior of your property can also make a dramatic difference to your curb appeal. It’s also relatively inexpensive.
- Interior Painting: Though the interior of your house isn’t necessarily tied into the concept of curb appeal, it is important when booking rentals. You may not need to paint the entire house, but consider painting the most used and/or visible areas (living room, entry, or kitchen). Often times hallways and bedrooms can be touched up quickly if you have any leftover paint from previous paint jobs.
- Exterior Painting: Beachfront homes take a beating on the Outer Banks. Often times, there’s just no way to get around the fact that your house needs another paint job; however, you may be able to get by with painting only the front of the house or the east-facing side of the house. Even if you just paint the trim it will have a dramatic impact to your curb appeal.
- Hardware: Cleaning or replacing rusty hardware and replacing outdated plumbing and lighting fixtures will spruce up your house.
- Front Door: a splash of color can do wonders and make the house feel more inviting.
- Trim and Siding: Repair or replace damaged house trim and siding. Not only is it aesthetically unpleasing to the eye, it could lead to long-term problems if left untreated.
Creating an Iconic Coastal Look for Your Outer Banks Home
Deck Safety Awareness
Each year, most paint manufacturers release a “Color of the Year” along with a palette of complementary shades. Pantone — the global authority on color — is best known for the Pantone Matching System (PMS), which provides a standardized language for identifying, matching, and communicating color across design, fashion, printing, and manufacturing. Their annual selection is often a strong predictor of broader color trends and frequently aligns with the palettes chosen by major paint manufacturers.
Winter is here on the Outer Banks, and if your home is part of a rental program, you’re likely working through a long checklist to prepare for the upcoming season.
Hurricane season on the Outer Banks occurs between June and November, with the peak of the season occurring from Mid-August to Mid-October. If you own property on the Outer Banks, you’re already acutely aware of this. With Hurricane Erin currently wreaking havoc along the East Coast, now is a good opportunity to provide some quick tips for your home during hurricane season.
When it comes to home improvement, few things make an instant visual impact like a fresh coat of paint. Whether it's reviving weather-worn siding or refreshing an outdated interior, painting can breathe new life into your space. But as you start collecting quotes, you may wonder: why does a good painting contractor cost more than others?
The Transformative Power of Washing and Painting Your Home
If you’ve been putting off painting your house, you’re not alone—but it may cost you more than you think. Summer is the best time of year to paint your Outer Banks home. If you've noticed signs of paint failure (e.g. fading, peeling, blistering, chalking), give us a call today.
If you've noticed a fine, powdery residue on your painted walls or outdoor surfaces, you may be dealing with chalking paint. This is a fairly common issue that occurs when paint breaks down over time due to weather exposure, UV rays, or low-quality paint ingredients. It’s especially prevalent on exterior surfaces (especially fiber cement siding).
What Causes Chalking?
Chalking happens when the paint binder deteriorates, allowing pigment particles to loosen and form a chalky dust. While it’s a natural part of aging for some paints, excessive chalking can affect appearance, stain surrounding surfaces, and prevent new paint from adhering properly.
How to Fix Chalking Paint
Test for Chalking: Rub your hand or a dark cloth over the surface. If it comes away dusty, you have chalking.
Clean the Surface: Use a stiff brush or pressure washer to remove as much chalk as possible. Follow up with a mild detergent and rinse thoroughly.
Let It Dry: Ensure the surface is completely dry before proceeding.
Prime If Necessary: For areas with stubborn residue or if you're repainting, apply a high-quality, binding primer suited for chalky surfaces.
Repaint: Choose a premium, weather-resistant paint and apply as recommended.
Preventing Future Chalking
Invest in high-quality paint with strong UV resistance and proper binders. Regular maintenance, such as gentle washing and inspections, also helps keep surfaces looking fresh.
By addressing chalking early and using the right materials, you can extend the life and look of your paint job for years to come!
Summer is a great time to paint your Outer Banks home if it is not in rental program. Temperatures and humidity are relatively consistent and longer daylight hours generally lead to shorter project durations.
