Does Exterior Painting Really Increase Your Home's Value in Baton Rouge?

I get asked this question at least once a week: "If I paint my house, will it actually be worth more money?"

Short answer? Yes. But there's more to it than just slapping on some paint and adding five grand to your asking price. Let me walk you through what I've learned after painting hundreds of homes in Baton Rouge and working with many real estate agents.

The Numbers Don't Lie (But They Don't Tell the Whole Story Either)

Here's what the data says: exterior painting typically increases a home's value by about 2-5%. Doesn't sound like much, right? But do the math. On a $300,000 home in Southdowns or Mid City, that's $6,000 to $15,000. For a paint job that might cost you $8,000-$12,000, you're looking at breaking even or coming out ahead.

The return on investment hovers around 51-55% nationally. That means if you spend $10,000 painting your exterior, you can expect to add roughly $5,000-$5,500 to your home's value.

But here's the thing nobody talks about, these numbers are just averages. They don't account for the Baton Rouge market specifically, and they definitely don't tell you about the other benefits that are harder to measure in dollars.

Why It Works in Baton Rouge (And Why It Matters More Here)

Living in Louisiana is beautiful, but let's be honest, our climate is brutal on paint. The humidity, the heat, those summer afternoons where it feels like you're breathing soup... all of that takes a toll.

I've walked up to houses where the paint is peeling so bad it looks like the house has a skin condition. And when buyers see that? They're not just thinking, "Oh, needs paint." They're thinking, "What else has been neglected? Is there water damage? Mold? Termites?"

In our market right now, first impressions are everything.

We talked to a real estate agent last month (a friend of mine who works in the Garden District), and she said something that stuck with me. She said buyers in Baton Rouge are getting pickier. With homes sitting on the market an average of 45-48 days (compared to the crazy seller's market we had a few years ago), your house needs to look its absolute best from the curb.

Fresh paint says, "This house has been taken care of." Peeling paint says the opposite, whether that's fair or not.

The Real Reason Paint Adds Value: It's Not Just About the Paint

When I talk to homeowners about painting before selling, they sometimes think I'm just trying to drum up business. Fair enough. But here's what's actually happening when you paint your house:

You're resetting buyer expectations.

A house with fresh, modern exterior paint immediately looks move-in ready. Buyers can pull up, take one look, and think, "I could see myself here." They're not mentally subtracting $15,000 for the paint job they'll have to do next summer. They're not worrying about what else might be falling apart.

One of our clients painted their house in Central last year before listing it. The paint job cost about $9,000. Their agent told them the house would've sat longer and probably sold for $10,000-$12,000 less without it. And here's the kicker, it sold in 18 days. In a market where houses were averaging 45 days.

Was that all because of the paint? Probably not. But did the paint give buyers confidence that the house was well-maintained? Absolutely.

What Makes a Paint Job Actually Add Value (vs. Just Look Nice)

Not all paint jobs are created equal, and this is where homeowners sometimes shoot themselves in the foot.

I've seen DIY exterior paint jobs that looked... well, let's just say "enthusiastic." Drips everywhere, uneven coverage, paint on the windows. That doesn't add value. That might actually decrease value because now a buyer has to pay someone to fix what you did before they can repaint properly.

Here's what actually moves the needle:

Quality matters more than you'd think. Using builder-grade paint to save $500? Bad move. In Baton Rouge's humidity, cheap paint starts showing problems within a year or two. A buyer who knows anything about houses will notice, and suddenly your fresh paint job isn't reassuring them—it's making them wonder what else you cut corners on.

Color choices can make or break you. I love when homeowners want to express themselves with color. Really, I do. But if you're selling? Stick with neutrals. Those trendy bold colors that look amazing on Pinterest? They cut your buyer pool in half.

We painted a house in Prairieville a deep burgundy once. Beautiful color. Homeowner loved it. When they went to sell two years later, their agent begged them to repaint it something neutral. The burgundy was turning away potential buyers at the curb.

The colors that consistently add value in Baton Rouge? Soft grays, warm beiges, classic whites with contrasting trim. Nothing too exciting, but they appeal to the broadest range of buyers.

Your trim and details need love too. I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone paint their siding and completely ignore their shutters, trim, or front door. It's like getting dressed up for a wedding but forgetting to comb your hair. The details matter, maybe more than the big stuff.

The Baton Rouge Market Right Now: Why Timing Matters

As of right now, the Baton Rouge housing market is... interesting. Median home prices are around $270,000 in East Baton Rouge Parish, up about 8-13% from last year depending on which area you're in. Homes are selling, but they're sitting a bit longer than they were during the crazy 2021-2022 market.

What that means for you: presentation matters more than it has in years.

When houses were selling in 48 hours with multiple offers over asking price, you could list with peeling paint and someone would still buy it. They'd just knock some money off the price. Now? Buyers have more options. They're being choosier. And if your house looks tired next to a similar one down the street that's been freshly painted, guess which one's getting the offers?

The agents I talk to all say the same thing—curb appeal is critical right now. And nothing improves curb appeal faster and more cost-effectively than a quality exterior paint job.

But What About Just Dropping the Price Instead?

Some homeowners figure they'll skip the paint job and just price the house $10,000 lower to account for it. Seems logical, right?

Here's why that doesn't work: buyers are emotional. They're making the biggest purchase of their lives, and they're nervous about it. When they see a house that needs work (even something as "simple" as paint), they start adding up everything else they think might need fixing. That $10,000 paint job balloons into $20,000 or $30,000 of imagined problems in their minds.

Plus, if they're using FHA or VA financing, peeling paint can actually be an issue. VA appraisers in particular will flag it, and suddenly you've got to fix it anyway just to close the deal.

Better to do it upfront, control the quality and the cost, and present a house that doesn't trigger buyer anxiety.

Real Talk: When Painting Your Exterior Doesn't Make Sense

I'm not going to sit here and tell you exterior painting is always the right move, because it's not.

If you're planning to stay in your house for years, don't paint it just for resale value. Paint it because you want to protect your investment, or because you're tired of looking at that faded sage green your predecessor picked in 2007. The value increase is just a nice bonus.

If your house has major issues, paint isn't going to fix them. I've had homeowners ask me to paint over rotted wood or cracked siding. That's like putting makeup on before treating a skin infection. You've got to fix the underlying problem first, or you're just wasting money.

If you're in a neighborhood where houses sell regardless, you might not need it. Some areas of Baton Rouge are so desirable that houses fly off the market no matter what they look like. Your agent can tell you if that's your situation.

If you literally just painted a year or two ago with quality paint, you're probably fine. But if it's been 5+ years, especially in our Louisiana humidity? Time to consider it.

The Less Obvious Benefits Nobody Talks About

Okay, so we've covered the direct value increase. But there are other ways exterior painting helps when you're selling, and these are almost more important.

Your house photographs better. In 2025, the first showing happens online. If your house looks tired in the listing photos, people aren't scheduling showings. Fresh paint makes your house pop in photos in a way that's hard to describe but easy to see.

Showings go smoother. When buyers walk up to a freshly painted house, they're in a good mood. They're optimistic. When they walk up to a house with peeling paint, they're already skeptical. That mood affects the entire showing.

You get better offers. This is the big one. It's not just about the sale price. When your house looks great, buyers are less likely to nickel-and-dime you during negotiations. They're less likely to ask for concessions. They're more likely to accept your terms.

One client told us their agent said the fresh paint probably saved them $5,000 in negotiations that never happened because buyers didn't feel like they had ammunition to ask for credits.

What About Interior Painting?

Quick side note—we're talking about exterior painting here, but interior painting has an even better ROI. Some studies show a 107% return on interior painting. If you're painting anyway for a sale, do both. The combination is powerful.

Fresh paint inside and out sends a clear message: this house is ready. No deferred maintenance. No surprises. Just move in your furniture and you're good.

So Should You Paint Your House Before Selling in Baton Rouge?

Here's my honest take after doing this for years: if your paint is faded, peeling, or hasn't been done in 5+ years, yes. Absolutely. It's one of the best investments you can make before listing.

The numbers support it. The real estate agents we work with swear by it. And we've seen it play out over and over, houses with fresh exterior paint sell faster and for more money than comparable houses without it.

But…and this is important…it has to be done right. Quality paint, proper prep (yeah, we're back to prep work again), professional execution, and smart color choices. A bad paint job can hurt your value instead of helping it.

Working With Rouge Painters for Your Pre-Sale Paint Job

If you're thinking about selling in the next 6-12 months and you're wondering if painting makes sense for your house specifically, let's talk about it. We work with homeowners and real estate agents all the time on pre-listing paint jobs.

We can give you an honest assessment of whether painting will move the needle for your situation, what areas need the most attention, and what kind of timeline you're looking at. No pressure, no sales pitch—just straight talk about what makes sense for your house and your market.

We've painted enough houses in Baton Rouge to know which neighborhoods care most about exterior appearance, which colors work best in different areas, and how to maximize your investment.

Because at the end of the day, the goal isn't just to paint your house. It's to help you get the best possible outcome when you sell. If fresh paint can get you there faster and with more money in your pocket, that's what we're here to do.

Give Rouge Painters a call and let's figure out if exterior painting is the right move for your Baton Rouge home. We'll shoot straight with you about whether it's worth the investment, and if it is, we'll make sure it's done right.

Your home's value starts at the curb. Let's make sure it makes the right first impression.