Pre-sale painting in the Inner West: what to paint and how to schedule it

A fresh coat is the cheapest way to lift a home for sale, but only if the timing works with the campaign.

What to paint first

• High-visibility areas: the front of the house, entry, living rooms and kitchen.
• Marked or tired walls and ceilings, and worn trim and doors.
• Areas with mould or stains, which buyers read as maintenance problems. See mould and algae near outdoor areas for how to clean around fences and pools.

Scheduling around the sale

Pre-sale painting has to fit around agents, property managers, tenants and open homes. Painters in the area coordinate scheduling with agents and tenants, and offer after-hours and weekend work. Painters typically start within 7 to 10 business days, and a standard residential project takes 3 to 4 weeks, so start well before photography and the first open home.

Keep colours neutral

Neutral colours suit the widest range of buyers. A colour consultation can help. If the home is in a heritage conservation area, check the rules before changing exterior colours. See heritage home painting in the Inner West.

Get the paperwork right too

If the property has a pool, a pool safety certificate may be needed for the sale. See the pre-sale pool area checklist.

Choosing a painter

Ask about timing, access, protection of floors and furniture, and the warranty. Pre-sale painting in the Inner West is a listed service of local painters.

Common questions