Realestate

Question: To real estate investors/sellers: will painting the brick veneer on my home be a good move?

(Posted by: sterock30 on 2008-12-15 13:15:48)

My home is half masonite and half brick veneer. The brick is a rusty orange brown color and the masonite is a light olive green with medium brown shutters and door. I want to change it all but am apprehensive about painting the brick. Will painting the brick cause the value of my house to drop, or will it increase? Could I stain the brick?? Like use concrete stain? The brick is in good shape...it doesn't need pressure washing or cleaning. The natural color is the rusty brown/ ornage color (they are multi- shades of the orange/ brown family)...I just don't like the color. I can match other colors to it, my concern is that some color will not match to it and I will have to paint the brick.

Posted by: SueyN on 2008-12-15, 15:20:33

Sorry folks, but I disagree with all of you. I'd definitely paint the brick the same color as the house. Brick veneer can date a house. I have seen people paint it the same color as the house and it makes it look updated. The painted brick veneer will add texture without dating the house. Also, it will look less like veneer and more like real brick if it is painted. I know this might sound a little over the top, but when I saw a neighbor paint the brick on the bottom of their house my reaction was "Wow that looks really nice and now the house looks newer. " Painting it will add curb appeal and add to the value of your home. You have a good idea. Go for it and you will love it. Just one more thing....I've sold three houses and the last one was just 9 months ago in a very tough market.

Posted by: Fat Tony on 2008-12-15, 13:20:28

Don't paint the brick. Painted brick is too much of a hassle for the owner, because to maintain it you have to paint every 4-8 years. It looks unattractive also, when the paint starts flaking, etc.

Posted by: Mom of 2 great boys on 2008-12-15, 13:24:32

Fat is right. Painting will fade and chip away in a few years. Why don't you try pressure washing it and see if it will look any better? (maybe a good cleaning is all it needs, the brick) Change out the shutters to a different color and match the door to the shutters. Keep it neutral. Don't have a different color door and a different color on the shutters. Tacky looking if you ask me. Maybe take some pictures and post back or you can email me and I can tell you what might look best. :-)

Posted by: arshad m on 2008-12-15, 13:25:05

The worst thing you can do to brick is paint it. If you want a face lift power-wash and refill the missing grout.

Posted by: Rachel on 2008-12-15, 13:52:58

The front of my house is brick and I probably wouldn't have bought it if it was painted. So, I don't know if it will drop the value but it definitely might scare some buyers away who don't like the look or the maintenance it would require.