Painting.... Does it add value??

What you normally find on the cost vs value charts is things like kitchen/ bath renovations or deck replacements...but

2010-2011 Cost vs. Value Chart


The question is does freshening up your home with paint add value?   

with Christmas coming and my addiction to HGTV...
I gently (really Cal??)  urged Al to do a dining room makeover....
I thought, No Big deal really......
We are Realtors for crying out loud!    We know that bright homes are a Giant attraction for people!

... a little paint... new light... curtains...just brighten the place up a little.  

Well....it's done and that's all I'll say..other than, he did a great job....but,

Did we add value?

Probably not monetary value..
but what we really did, was improve the "sale-ability" of the home... and our life style at the same time....

and sale-ability is really important these days with so many homes on the market.....  it's the attraction that makes a buyer chose one home over another.... the more polished looking home with the perception of little to do, wins out every time....

so while we are all looking to gain value....
it's not just the monetary Value that  we need to consider....
sale-ability and lifestyle should be huge considerations on your list.   A fresh coat of paint is an easy, cost effective way to achieve this!
       
        and, oh by the way... 
        now the rest of the place looks shabby......

       should I wait till after Christmas to approach this??????