Should I Paint the Interior of STR?

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Should I Paint the Interior of STR?

Bryan S.
Member since 2011 · 92 posts · 40 votes

Hi Everyone,

I recently purchased a 4bed-2.5bath pool home close to the beach on Florida's Gulf Coast.

The current decision I'm working on is should I paint the interior of the house. It is currently a bunch of various bright / florida-ish colors. Similar airbnbs do well with grey colors. But I'm thinking of keeping it the bright colors to stand out.

The paint is in good condition - just unique colors. Also if I do paint it I've read keeping it all the same color can be boring.

Also debating going with professionals at $4.5K or taskrabbits which would come out to $1.5k-$2k.


Thanks!

Bryan

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Most Popular Reply

Scott K.
Member since 2020 · 223 posts · 233 votes
5y

If you're new to renting out airbnbs, you should probably find a contractor and work with him on a consistent basis. Should be cheaper than professionals, more expensive than taskrabbit, but you need a good handyman relationship to deal with problems.

As for painting - it could help you stand out, or it could make people gag. Usually you want to offend as few people as possible with an airbnb. Bright colors and looking strange won't make you earn more money. Perhaps your location could see it as a benefit, maybe some coastal, beach area, but in most areas it won't do you any favors to stand out.

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  • David Robinson
    Specialist · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2020 · 200 posts · 105 votes
    5y

    @John Underwood I agree

    0Reply
  • Stephen DeThample
    Real Estate Agent · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2020 · 461 posts · 305 votes
    5y

    @Bryan Senker if you keep the colors, make sure to accessorize to match each room. Makes a huge difference.

    0Reply
  • Evelyn Badia
    Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2018 · 12 posts · 15 votes
    5y

    Right now your colors are making you stand out from your competition. 

    How can you make it Instagram-able? Fun? An experience? 

    Yes, people rent your standard boring but what gets top dollar? Uniqueness. 

    Don't do beach life.. do something different that will create a different experience. 

    First of all, make sure you have ALL the colors or they left you the colors for any patch up you will need to do.

    Ohh and work with a designer.. don't do this on your own unless you're a professional designer and get professional photos.

    This is NOT your home. It's a STR..

    who is your target audience?

    Grandma, young couples, families?

    Families? You can do a theme of a book... 

    Young couple.. 

    Color my life.. 

    Make the accessories neutral but work with the strength of this. 

    Articles about colorful and unique Airbnbs

    https://www.tripstodiscover.co...

    https://www.cntraveler.com/gal...

    1Reply
  • Marian Smith
    Real Estate Investor · Williamson County, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 961 votes
    5y

    @Bryan Senker I could see this working with very modern furniture and a few large modern wall art accents. I think as long as it looks clean...and is clean...people will be open to staying in a place quite different from what they would choose for their own home, even welcome a short colorful experience. If it looks like an intentional design motif it will look like a professional "boutique" rental. Think sparse and ikea not garage sale furnishings. My only reservation would be the appeal to the younger market and possibly a "party" place look. Opinion worth price paid.

    2Reply
  • Marc RiceBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    5y

    @Bryan Senker

    You could do wallpaper too that is unique to your area. I’d study your market and see what others are doing - maybe consult with an interior designer?

    [email protected]614-363-2787
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    0Reply
  • Spence Kal
    Rental Property Investor · OH (ohio) · Member since 2018 · 166 posts · 113 votes
    5y

    How many different colors are in there? I like the blue, the orange aren’t horrible, but that minty bathroom to me is gross. What about matching the nice ones and only painting a couple rooms. I like the bright color with everyone’s idea of neutral or white furniture. I don’t like to see more than 3-4 colors in something, it just breaks it up a lot, it’s visually busy, not relaxing, makes it seem like 5 little house areas inside one building. Color matching the better ones and bringing it to 3 may be a way to simplify and save money while staying unique. Just a thought

    0Reply
  • Shaun Martin
    Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2020 · 11 posts · 7 votes
    5y

    That depends on what the rental market in your neighborhood dictates. Don't get caught into the trap of what you would like. That said I believe in having the best product in my class - regardless A B C D E F or Z. Paint is a cheaper upgrade that can really "TRANSFORM" a space right. Isn't that what HGTV and Martha Stewarts says?

    If the rental and your bank can bare it and it sets you apart then it is something, as an investor, I always consider. 

    1Reply
  • Zachary Beach
    Specialist · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 291 posts · 231 votes
    5y

    @Scott Kunz

    Paint it and to pick a color look at the top ten places on AirDNA. After you confirm the most common color is white walls paint it white. Seriously though in every market I have ever looked up the most common color for the top ten is white.

    Like most things in real estate look at the comps of where you want to be and match it then have better service.

    1Reply
  • Luke CarlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    5y

    @Bryan Senker paint it and replace the carpet you’re over thinking. Houses need paint. If you have to ask it needs to be done :)

    Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
    1Reply
  • Anthony Jackson
    Member since 2020 · 14 posts · 3 votes
    5y

    @Scott Kunz YES REPAINT THE INTERIOR

    0Reply
  • Anthony Jackson
    Member since 2020 · 14 posts · 3 votes
    5y

    @John Underwood NO SIR REPAINT THE INTERIOR THEN RECOUP THE MONEY IN HIS PRICE POINT. WHAT A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS.

    0Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Anthony Jackson:

    @John Underwood NO SIR REPAINT THE INTERIOR THEN RECOUP THE MONEY IN HIS PRICE POINT. WHAT A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS.

     Painters are very expensive. Would take too long to recoup if you can still rent at good rates. Its just a feature on a vacation rental. 

    0Reply
  • John Teachout
    Rental Property Investor · Concord, GA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    If this was going to be for sale or a long term rental, I would absolutely paint it. But for someone staying a few days or a week or two, do you really think they care a lot about what color the walls are? I'd try it and see what kind of reactions you get. You could even request feedback from guests. Also, not every room would need to be re-done. I'd save the money for now and make sure it needs to be spent before allocating it for that purpose.

    0Reply
  • E.S. Burrell
    Rental Property Investor · MI · Member since 2019 · 192 posts · 205 votes
    5y

    @Bryan Senker

    I love the different colors. They are warm and upbeat. As someone said, you can decorate the rooms with matching furniture. Give each room it’s own identifying name. If you use your imagination, this could be the start of something big and set a trend!!

    0Reply
  • Bryan S.
    OP
    Member since 2011 · 92 posts · 40 votes
    5y

    Thank you everyone for the input - the majority of folks seem to agree to paint it.  I saw quite a few people mention go with a contractor.  Any suggestions for finding a contractor besides word of mouth?

    0Reply
  • Maria Bakaj
    Real Estate Agent · Denver, CO · Member since 2020 · 103 posts · 65 votes
    5y

    @Bryan S. Besides looking online, maybe go to a local paint store and ask the employees who they would recommend.  Or, if you go early in the morning, you might run into some painters picking up paint and you can talk to them.  

    I've found that most painters in my area, who are reasonably priced, don't have an online presence.  Good thing about going to a local paint store is you know who is up and at it early in the morning.

    I like Benjamin Moore paint, rather than your usual Home Depot or Lowes brand paint, and I've talked to my local paint store that carries Benjamin Moore paint about painters they'd recommend and they had some.  One happened to be there at the same time picking up paint for a client.

    1Reply
  • Bryan S.
    OP
    Member since 2011 · 92 posts · 40 votes
    5y

    Hey Everyone - thank you all for all the input! Based on everything I am going to move forward with professional painting at $4.5K for ceilings and whole house with Coventry Gray that will be done in three days.

    What brought me to this decision:

    -Painting is said to have the Highest ROI

    -The best preforming STR in the area are the updated grey color

    -Professionally painted because they can be done next week and I'm too busy with my day job to do it myself

    -Can add fun colors with furnishing/bedsheets/accent pieces

    -The grey gives a cleaner look

    -The grey is a more sophisticated look

    -If decide to sell the house the updated color will make it easier to sell

    -It will be easier to decorate with one color

    -The current colors do not go together

    -The current colors could turn away some people

    -In the words of my father: “bite the bullet and do it right”

    -In the words of Luke Carl: “paint it and replace the carpet you’re over thinking. Houses need paint. If you have to ask it needs to be done :)”

    Once again – thank you everyone for their input!

    1Reply
  • Bryan S.
    OP
    Member since 2011 · 92 posts · 40 votes
    5y

    Hey Everyone - a follow up on this.  I ended up getting it professionally painted for ~$4.5K in three days.  The folks did overall a great job. There were a bunch of small things I expected to be touched up a little bit better that I did myself - but still a solid job. But very happy with the end result.  The final color was "Agreeable Grey"

    0Reply
  • Jacob Stephens
    Member since 2020 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    5y

    looks great

    0Reply
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