Painting your home before renting or selling: what shows most

Why paint before listing

Most interested people see your home in photos first. Marked walls, outdated colours or gotelé (the textured wall finish found in many Spanish homes) make a property look old even when it is in good condition. A freshly painted home shows it has been looked after and is ready to move into.

Neutral colours and smooth walls

For renting or selling, light, neutral colours work: off-whites, soft beiges, light greys. They bring light, make spaces look bigger and let each person imagine their own décor.

If the home has gotelé, wall smoothing is what modernises it most: it really shows in the photos.

What people notice most

• Damp stains: they create instant mistrust. They have to be treated, not just covered up.
• The entrance and the facade: they are the first impression.
• Kitchen and bathroom: ceilings with mould or lifting paint count heavily against a home.
• The terrace: on the coast it is a big selling point; if it leaks or is in poor condition, it takes value away.

Second homes on the coast

In Águilas, San Juan de los Terreros, Mazarrón or Vera many homes spend months closed up. Damp and sea salt do their work: dull facades, leaking terraces, a damp smell and mould in bathrooms.

If that is your case, it is worth checking the facade and terrace before the season, and going over the interiors before renting. If you do not live there, we arrange the visit and access to the property with you.

Holiday lets: the wear shows

A holiday let gets far more use than a main home: suitcases scraping the walls, constant comings and goings, damp from showers and swimwear. Painting hallways, bedrooms and busy areas with a tough, washable paint keeps the home looking good for much longer between seasons.

The facade and the terrace, the shop window on the coast

In coastal homes, the white facade and the terrace are almost always the main photo of the listing. A facade that is dull or has paint peeling from the sea salt makes it far less attractive. Repainting it and checking the terrace before the season makes all the difference.

Plan it in good time

If you want the home ready for a particular date, such as the start of summer or a visit from buyers, the best thing is to ask for a quote well in advance. That way the work can be organised without rushing and everything left perfect for the photos.

What to prioritise on a tight budget

1. Treat and paint any damp stains.
2. Paint the living room, kitchen and bathroom, which are the rooms photographed most.
3. The entrance and the facade.
4. The rest of the rooms.

During the free visit we help you decide where to start and give you the quote in writing.

Frequently asked questions