To Paint or not to Paint Brick Exterior

Rehabbing & House Flipping
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To Paint or not to Paint Brick Exterior

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Real Estate Investor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 10 votes

Hello all!  I need your advice on whether or not to paint this brick house.  It has not been lived in for 20 years and was owned by a hoarder.  The neighbors are thrilled that there is a new owner that plans to make improvements.  I will be completely gutting and flipping it, so I'm not as concerned about repainting in 5-10 years, but I also don't want to turn off potential buyers.  I know that I can make other improvements like landscaping, trim, and shutters, but the 1952 brick is very dated looking.  All opinions are appreciated.

Thanks!

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Rick Baggenstoss
Developer · Decatur, GA · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
12y

Check your comps.  Painted brick fetches a higher price (on 50's homes).  

You have some color challenges contributing to your curb appeal.  If you have budget, I'd paint the brick.

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  • Tim Carter
    Flipper/Rehabber · Duluth, MN · Member since 2014 · 13 posts · 4 votes
    12y

    Personally, I wouldn't do it. I would not want to be the owner of the home who would need to deal with the paint that would inevitably fall off that brick. I have always liked brick and personally I don't think it ever gets dated. Do yourself a favor and just power wash it and leave it alone. The roof is obviously the biggest thing that needs to be taken care of here. That and the bush-tree fondling the left side there. Just my 2 pennies! Looks like fun btw.

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  • Brandon Pierce
    Investor · Abilene, TX · Member since 2014 · 25 posts · 8 votes
    12y
    I think Tim is right. The brick just needs a good power washing with some TSP or good cleanser, new roof and personally the red roof, yellow siding, white trim and beige colored brick seems a little too busy looking. I think if you tone it down a bit to a more smoother contrast of colors you will be in good shape. Just my opinion of course ;-)
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  • Rick Baggenstoss
    Developer · Decatur, GA · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    12y

    Check your comps.  Painted brick fetches a higher price (on 50's homes).  

    You have some color challenges contributing to your curb appeal.  If you have budget, I'd paint the brick.

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    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 10 votes
    12y

    Thanks for the replies!  I have done a little research, and painted brick houses are not very common in my area.  That being said, the few that I found sold very quickly.  With a new roof, new siding, new windows, and new doors, I think the brick will hold it back from looking like the new house that it actually will be.

    1Reply
  • Lizina GreenPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Pawleys Island, SC · Member since 2014 · 87 posts · 17 votes
    11y

    Did you paint the house? Any pictures? 

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    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 10 votes
    11y

    Here's an update!  This project had taken much longer than anticipated, but we decided to paint the brick and it looks fantastic. 

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  • David RobertsonBusiness Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2010 · 755 posts · 778 votes
    11y

    I was originally an advocate for leaving the brick & power washing it, but the painted brick looks great!

    FlipperForce
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  • Cameron Price
    Real Estate Broker · Hartsville, SC · Member since 2015 · 174 posts · 69 votes
    11y

    Man, that turned out really nice! What color is that? And what shingles did you go with?

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  • Account Closed
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 10 votes
    11y

    Thanks for the compliments.  I'm very happy with the results. 

    The siding is Cedar Impressions - 7" shakes - Granite Gray.  I had the paint color-matched to the siding. 

    Here's a link to the siding:  http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/siding/vinyl-siding/vinyl-siding-accents/cedar-impressions-reg-double-7-straight-edge-rough-split-shakes-5-56-sq-ft/p-1352102.htm

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  • Bob Thompson
    Investor · Columbus, GA · Member since 2015 · 6 posts · 1 vote
    11y

    Great job. I am looking at buying older homes and many do have the 1950s brick, a little larger, and deeper ridges, that I have seen in newer brick homes. I know there must be an issue with the paint peeling but I am wondering whether a good power washing a painted brick house will repaint okay also. Your painted house is sure to stand out great in the neighborhood. Hope you get a fast sale.

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  • Cynthia Calhoun
    Full-Time Investor · Woodstock, GA · Member since 2015 · 105 posts · 47 votes
    11y

    @Blake,

    I'm way late to the party; and looks like your figured it out...but what I was "going to advise" is that you need to consider the neighborhood...always. You can't get away with that in a Saks's or Neiman's neighborhood, but in a Target or Walmart area, it goes over very well.  We did a similar project and the previous owners had closed in a 1-car garage, and added living space. Well, they didn't exactly match the original brick, so it almost "had to be painted". Ours turned out really nice; but you truly rocked this! Looks amazing! Great color choices. Gray is the new beige. Painting any house gray (interior or exterior) will assist in a faster sale. God bless.

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