Need a DIY Summer Project? How to Paint Your Home’s Exterior in a Weekend or Two

If you want something hands-on to do this summer, look no further than the outside of your house. There are many reasons to refresh the paint job on your house, including increased protection against weathering, and increased curb appeal. Whatever your reason, read on to learn just what you’ll need, and need to do, to paint your home’s exterior.

What You’ll Need: Materials, Tools, Protection

A DIY paint job is easily doable, and costs only as much as the materials, tools and protection you need. Those materials include the paint itself, the primer and the caulking (to seal cracks and joints). For tools, look for paintbrushes and rollers, sanders, and scrapers. You’ll also need drop cloths (to protect your lawn/garden), masks/respirators (to protect yourself), and a HEPA vacuum/suit if you’re stripping lead-based paint.

What You’ll Do: Step One

Essentially, house-painting boils down to three steps. First, prep the surface. You’ll need to wash the house, scrape loose paint off and sand it smooth to make it an ideal surface to which the new paint can adhere. Note, if your house was built before 1978, test for lead-based paint (which will just require a little more protection while you’re scraping it off). Lead-testing kits can be purchased online.

What You’ll Do: Step Two

Next, patch and prime. Fill in smaller imperfections with something like epoxy. Bigger gaps and joints will need caulking but do this only after the primer is applied. Take this patching time to fix any rot or potential rot problems signaled by improper water drainage. Then prime the whole exterior this seals the wood and makes it even easier for paint to adhere to the walls.

What You’ll Do: Step Three

Finally, the paint. Water-based latex (or acrylic) paint is more flexible, easier to clean and more environmentally friendly than oil-based paints. Read the paint can they contain tips and instructions on using the paint that can come in handy. With DIY, brushes and rollers are better to use than a paint-sprayer, which can be hard to control. Three tips: always start at the top of the house and paint down, it’s always better to do two coats, and stay in the shade while you’re working painting in direct sunlight causes the paint to dry too fast and flake.

What You’ll Do After: How To Maintain An Exterior

Once your exterior has dried, keep it looking fresh with consistent caulking, touch ups for peeling paint and removing mold and mildew whenever you spot it.

For more tips or advice on improving your home’s value in your neighborhood, give me a call – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.

Click Here to See What Your Home is Worth

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22660 N 122nd Avenue Sun City, AZ 85373

$473,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,992 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6699146

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautiful, better than new home prime non-age restricted community in Sun City! This home features a spacious open concept main living area. The kitchen features granite counters with stylish tiled back-splash, upgraded cabinetry, and and SS appliances. The primary bedroom features a spacious closet, and en-suite bath. The home has a perfect low-maintenance back-yard with a covered patio and artificial turf. Located close to parks, schools, shopping, restaurants, and minutes from the 303!

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17787 W Blue Sky Drive Surprise, AZ 85387

$472,995

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,040 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6703781

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

The inviting 4 bed/3 bath with teen room ranch-style Sapphire floor plan welcomes guests with a covered entry. Off the foyer, you'll find two bedrooms, both with walk-in closets. The extended entry leads to an open layout with a kitchen with a center island, a dining area, and a great room with a center-meet door leading to the covered patio. The owner's suite is adjacent, and showcases dual walk-in closets and an attached bath. Explore this exceptional Sapphire home, ready for quick move-in by September 2024 on a homesite boasting driveway pavers and front yard landscaping. Included features such as an inviting covered entry; a bathroom in lieu of two closets; a well-appointed kitchen offering 42'' cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, a roomy pantry and a center island; an elegant dining room; a spacious great room; an impressive primary suite showcasing a generous walk-in closet and a private bath with cultured marble countertops; a convenient laundry; a covered patio and a 3-car garage. This home also features 9 ft ceilings, 8'6'' paneled interior doors, additional windows, ceiling fan prewiring and stone tile flooring in select areas. Located in the fantastic community of Desert Oasis features parks, playgrounds and a community pool. Close to the new Frys marketplace with convenient access to the Loop 303 and US-60, nearby TSMC, Lake Pleasant, Surprise Stadium, Wildlife Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in the fast-growing NW Valley. This beautiful home is done right and has so much to offer!

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17696 W Encinas Lane Goodyear, AZ 85338

$472,990

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,309 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6682235

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

''Up to 3% of Base Price or total purchase price, whichever is less, is available through preferred lender.'' The Cantania floor plan showcases four bedrooms, a spacious den with double doors, a soft water loop, tankless water heater, garage service door, and an 8-foot garage door height among its notable structural elements. Additionally, this home will include granite kitchen countertops, Dark Brown Shaker Cabinetry, a tiled shower in the primary suite, Two Tone paint, a gas stub in the kitchen, a prewire package for ceiling fans, and a comprehensive lighting package. Furthermore, it comes equipped with a Washer Dryer, Refrigerator, and window blinds throughout.

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7916 W Sands Road Glendale, AZ 85303

$472,990

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,432 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6685182

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautiful two-story home that's conveniently located in desirable Glendale minutes to shops, restaurants and entertainment! This home offers our LOFT LOOK interior selections with 42'' Light stained Shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, Brushed nickel hardware, beautiful upgraded faux wood 6x24 Light gray flooring with carpet in bedrooms. The home includes GE appliances with a French Door Refrigerator, front load washer/dryer, and window blinds! See this amazing home today! ^^^^Up to 6% of Base Price can be applied towards closing cost and/or short-long term interest rate buydowns when choosing our preferred Lender. Additional eligibility and limited time restrictions apply.

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7934 W Sands Road Glendale, AZ 85303

$472,990

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,682 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6685213

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Beautiful single-story home conveniently located in desirable Glendale minutes to shops, restaurants and entertainment! This home offers our FARMHOUSE LOOK interior selections with White Shaker 42' cabinets, quartz countertops, Black Matte cabinet hardware, beautiful upgraded faux wood 6x24 Resemblance flooring and lush carpet in bedrooms. This home features all GE appliances with a French door refrigerator, washer/dryer, and window blinds. ^^^Up to 6% of Base Price can be applied towards closing cost and/or short-long term interest rate buydowns when choosing our preferred Lender. Additional eligibility and limited time restrictions apply.

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17534 W Straight Arrow Lane Surprise, AZ 85387

$472,900

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,895 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6688603

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Newer built home (2017), with 3 bedrooms , 2 baths and a bonus, game room or office. Loaded with upgrades throughout, including oversized kitchen island, staggered cabinets, granite countertops, and stainless appliances. High end lighting, wood look tile and oversized custom walk-in tile shower are just a few of the highlights of this beautiful home. Enjoy your low power bills, Solar Panels are completely paid in full. Located on a 10,000+ sf lot in a fantastic N Surprise community with community pool and parks nearby. interior upgraded doors plus more. This is must see must buy home.

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5613 W Roundhouse Road Laveen, AZ 85339

$472,615

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,760 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6692748

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Up to 2% of total purchase price towards closing costs incentive offer. Additional eligibility and limited time restrictions apply. MLS#6692748 ~June Completion! This exquisite one-story home showcases a flawless design, distinguished by its graceful lines. The Lily floor plan at Tierra Montana Discovery features three bedrooms and two baths, with an open layout and the owner suite thoughtfully tucked away at the rear for added privacy. The kitchen boasts upgraded 42-inch maple cabinets, quartz countertops, and a bespoke tile backsplash. Complete with GE Cafe stainless steel appliances, the eat-in kitchen seamlessly integrates a breakfast bar into the dining and gathering room.

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18770 W Shangri La Road Surprise, AZ 85388

$472,500

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,313 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6685362

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Come and see this Gorgeous home in the serene Zanjero Trails community. At only 5 years old, this home still feels brand new and is in Turn-Key condition. Offering 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms all wrapped up in 2,313 sqft, the open floor plan makes this home feel large and inviting. Key features include brand new interior paint, new carpet, new fixtures, pavers in backyard, professionally cleaned tile, all appliances included, owned water softener, over height garage door, RV gate, utility sink plumb in laundry room, and so much more. Ideally located with North/South exposure, this home is secluded enough to avoid big city noise, but is less than 15 minutes to shopping, dining, and highway access. It is also less then 1/4 mile to the new city pool and firefighter themed splash pads.

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3455 Via La Cresta -- Sierra Vista, AZ 85650

New

$472,500

5 Beds

2 Baths

2,527 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6704905

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

A MUST SEE!!! Remodeled home in turn-ley condition, large lot with 0.4 acres, PARK-like BACKYARD, professionally landscaped with fenced in HEATED POOL and SPA!!! Gorgeous 5 bedroom home with a den and 2 car garage, located in a nice cul-de-sac. The 5th bdrm (has no closet) and the Bonus Rm have a separate entrance from the side gate and can be used as guest quarters or study/entertainment rooms with Mini Splits for H & C. Home has: Brand new kitchen appliances & faucet, new resurfaced kitchen & laundry room counters, brand new carpets, many new windows and screens, brand new hot water heater, roof was inspected & maintained by Above-All Roofing. Brand New Concrete Driveway, freshly painted In & Out, new variable speed pool pump & Kreepy Krauly Cleaning System....... Won't last long!!

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8828 S 167th Lane Goodyear, AZ 85338

$472,500

4 Beds

2 Baths

1,943 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6642078

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

**SELLER IS OFFERING CONCESSIONS for the right offer. Welcome to your dream home in the heart of the Estrella Mountains! The neutral palette sets a sophisticated tone, providing the perfect canvas for your personal touch in this almost-new home. With a comfortable floor plan, abundant great room living space, and unexpected added storage spaces, every corner exudes warmth and functionality. Stepping into the backyard, you will appreciate the $17,000 investment that has transformed the space with perfectly sculpted pavers, synthetic grass and stone. The common area behind provides an added sense of privacy. Indulge in luxury resort-inspired living within this coveted community with an array of amenities, including 2 Residents' Clubs, Restaurants, Community Centers, Water Park, golf, hiking, biking and much more. Your Estrella Mountain retreat awaits!

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4022 S 178th Lane Goodyear, AZ 85338

$472,222

3 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,997 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6691476

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

CYPRESS PLAN! 1997SF., 3 BED, 2.5 BATH, OVERSIZED TANDEM GARAGE. BEAUTIFUL SLATE CABINETS - GRANITE COUNTERTOPS - LUXURY VINYL TILE THROUGHOUT - STAINLESS STEEL GAS APPLIANCES - TILED KITCHEN BACKSPLASH - DOUBLE SINKS EXECUTIVE HEIGHT AT OWNERS BATH - TILED OWNERS SHOWER - END LOT!!! THIS HOME WILL BE READY FOR JULY CLOSING! PHOTOS OF MODEL NOT SUBJECT.

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3842 E Westchester Drive Chandler, AZ 85249

$472,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,894 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6702134

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

UNBELIEVABLE VALUE! 3rd LARGEST FLOOR PLAN PRICED TO SELL. Updates are needed so home is priced accordingly. SPLIT 2-BR plan is SPACIOUS w/office, dining (multi-purpose) & great room. Smoothtop electric stove, m/w & ALL APPLIANCES CONVEY even the refrigerator, washer, dryer & freezer in laundry room. NEWER HVAC. Interior NORTH/SOUTH lot completely enclosed by STUCCO'D BLOCK FENCING, EXTENDED COVERED PATIO w/GUTTERS, TURF, storage shed, raised gardens & easily maintained landscaping. Interior is mostly original but in GREAT CONDITION. All this in popular, GATED, 55+ Solera w/full recreational facilities: 2 heated swimming pools, spa, golf, pickleball, fitness, tennis, ballroom, dance/exercise classes, social activities...no excuse to be bored. Live your best active adult life right here.

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