A home with good curb appeal is more likely to sell—and sell quickly—compared to homes with shabby or bland exteriors.

And even if you’re not looking to sell your home, having a beautiful home on the outside is part of what creates that home-sweet-home feeling once you return every evening.

A big factor in curb appeal is home exterior paint. Fresh paint can instantly upgrade a property, while old paint only ages and cheapens it.

If your home’s exterior needs a boost, it might be time to bust out the paint. Here are the signs you need to repaint your exterior.

You Haven’t Painted the Exterior in Years

When people think of painting their home, they may imagine updating the living room or bedroom, completely forgetting about the outside of the house. And if it’s been a while since you’ve painted your home’s exterior, it’s likely already due for a new coat.

In general, exterior paint should be repainted every five or six years. However, this can vary based on the type of paint, climate conditions, and other factors.

Still, if you’ve already forgotten when you last updated your home’s exterior paint, consider it a sign that now’s the time.

The Paint Is Peeling, Cracking, or Bubbling

Paint adds a protective layer to your home. But once it starts peeling or cracking, moisture can seep in, causing mold and rotting. This can lead to bigger problems that can do serious damage to your home if not treated quickly.

And if you see bubbles in the paint, that’s a sign that moisture from rain, snow, or humidity has already penetrated the paint and is trapped.

For already-damaged paint, it’s best to hire home exterior painting services who can completely remove the paint first before applying a new coat. That way, trapped moisture can be eliminated and no new moisture can get back in.

The Caulking Is Cracked

Caulking creates a seam around windows and doors, protecting and sealing any gaps. It’s typically applied before exterior paint and can even lengthen the lifespan of your paint.

But once this caulking is cracked, it’s time to repair and repaint your home.

If cracked caulk is ignored, it can let moisture, water, and hot or cold air in your home, later costing you more money in potential damage and increased utility bills. Be sure to patch up cracked caulking, and follow up with repainting.

There Are New Gaps Between Wood

If your home is made of wood panels, it’s important to watch for changes in the exterior.

Sometimes, wood can warp or shrink, creating new gaps between the boards. Then, moisture can enter these spaces, causing mold or dry rot.

In this case, you’ll need to hire a painter who is experienced in painting and protecting wood exteriors. Experienced house painters can assess any possible damage and recommend repairs before they apply protective paint.

The Paint Is Fading

When it comes to boosting curb appeal, color matters. And if your exterior paint job has started to fade, people will notice.

It’s common for paint to fade due to sun exposure, rain and snow, and other wear and tear. And faded paint not only looks bad, but it also signals that your paint isn’t protecting your home as well as it could be.

If your home’s exterior color has started to change or dull, it’s time for an update. Look for paint that is right for the climate you live in. For example, if you live in a sunny location, check that the paint has UV-resistant properties. And if you live in a rainy or snowy place, opt for paint that’s durable in wet conditions.

That way, your new coat of paint will last longer without fading.

You Have Damaged Stucco

If your home has cracked and damaged stucco, it’s best to patch up problem areas to prevent further wear. Patching up specific areas is much cheaper than re-stuccoing the entire house, but it can also be obvious to the naked eye if not properly covered.

To hide signs of repaired stucco, repaint the house to make it look fresh again. That way, the paint matches throughout, and there are no unsightly marks killing your home’s curb appeal.

You No Longer Like the Color

Sometimes, wanting a change is enough reason to repaint your home’s exterior.

Home color trends come and go, and the color you chose before may not be the color you like now. Or perhaps you’ve realized that your home’s paint color sticks out a little too much compared to your neighbors’.

No matter the reason why, if you no longer like the color of your exterior paint, it’s okay to swap it for something new and fresh.

If you’re in search of low-risk colors, opt for muted warm colors. Skip the pastels or bright whites, and instead choose colors like beige, creamy off-white, or blue-gray.

Boost Curb Appeal With a Fresh Coat of Paint

If you’re looking to improve the curb appeal of your home, a new coat of paint can go a long way.

Whether you’re ready to sell your home or just looking to maintain its exterior, look for these signs that indicate it’s time to repaint. And remember, it’s better to repaint sooner than later to avoid moisture damage, excessive fading, and other threats to your home’s protective layer.

To read more about updating and upgrading your home, check out our other real estate articles!