There’s nothing worse than taking a potential tenant on a tour of a property with smudged and marked up paint. A fresh paint job gives a great first impression of the property and creates a nice clean look for potential tenants that are having their first walkthrough. The bottom line is fresh paint appeals to prospective tenants looking to make your rental property their home. It makes them feel as if they’re the first, and only, people to live in your property.
As a rental property owner in MD, you will have to deal with painting your rental property at some point, but how often should you do a full repaint?
What Tenants Look for in Paint Colors
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the paint colors available at the hardware store. Luckily, some people are dedicated to unraveling the mystery of each.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on a color:
- Avoid using bold and daring colors
- Use neutrals correctly
- Use paints that don’t show dirt
- Use high-quality paint (the more durable, the better)
Why should you use neutral colors only? Because you want to appeal to the largest population of tenants possible. And, even having just one bold accent wall can change the opinion among tenants viewing the property.
When painting your rental, the point is to entice high-quality tenants, not to make an artistic statement.
Types of Paint and When to Use Them
You want to ensure you have the right paint for your property’s needs because the right one can determine how frequently you repaint your rental. So, before diving into how often to paint your MD rental, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different types of paint available.
Here are a few different types of finishes that are available:
1. High Gloss
Durable and easy to clean, this paint will dry with a lot of shine and repel sticky fingers and oils. This paint is best for places such as:
- Cabinets
- Doors
- Trims
- Kitchen Areas
It’s important to remember the shiny finish will show every lump and bump on your walls, so it’s best to avoid this finish on large wall spaces.
2. Satin
Satin paints don’t have the shine of the gloss finishes, but they can withstand a lot of traffic without losing their nice look. Satin paints are best on these surfaces:
- Family Rooms
- Hallways
- Playrooms
- Kids Bedrooms
3. Flat or Matte
This option has the most pigment with no shine. It provides maximum coverage and hides lumps, bumps, and more. This is also one of the most affordable options and is best used in:
- Adult Bedrooms
- Ceilings
- Other Low Traffic Rooms
This paint finish does not clean well; it rubs off easily and often needs repainting.
4. Eggshell
This paint is between that of a satin finish and a matte finish. It’s best used for covering small scratches but should be used in low traffic areas such as:
- Dining Rooms
- Living Rooms
- Offices or Studios
While it is forgiving on blemishes, it does not last quite as long as you’d like.
5. Semi-Gloss
This paint works best for places seeking an extra shine, ones that take abuse, and areas that attract excess moisture. The following are some of the best locations for this paint:
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Trim
- Laundry Rooms
A lot of MD rental owners have been using semi-gloss throughout their homes. Bay Property Management Group Prince George’s County has been suggesting this for many years due to the durability of this paint. It’s simply easier to clean the walls during the turnover time, rather than repaint.
Now with all these facts in your toolkit, you are better equipped to make an informed decision on paint for your rental property. If you have any questions, concerns, or are simply unsure, contact a licensed and insured paint contractor for help with your painting needs.
The Best Time to Repaint Your Rental Property
How often you paint your MD rental is a personal matter, but according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, you should aim to repaint every three years. The best way to extend this period is by having a long-term tenant and using durable paint that is easily cleaned.
Whether you are painting yourself or calling in a professional, there are some important things to consider:
- How Does the Property Appear? If a tenant just moved out, evaluate the property, and see if anything needs repainting. This is your best time to assess as the property is currently empty.
- What Does a Little Cleaning Do? Sometimes, if you’ve opted for highly durable paint, you can easily clean the walls, and they will be back to new.
- Take it Room by Room. Even if you have a set timeframe to repaint, evaluate each room separately; there’s no reason to waste time repainting if only a couple of high-traffic areas need touchups.
Maintaining the visual appearance of your Maryland rental’s interior is important to create interest in tenants and get them to become long-term tenants.
If you are looking for assistance with the visuals of your rental and want an experienced property management company to provide sound advice, contact Bay Property Management Group Prince George’s County today! We use our knowledge about property rentals to stage them for tenants and get you a high return on your Edgewood rentals!
