According to Business Insider, the housing market has exploded over the last year and new construction is trending as well. More people are buying and selling their homes, and if you’re planning on doing the same thing, you probably want to get top dollar, especially in such a competitive market. One way to help boost your home’s curbside appeal and draw attention to it is with a fresh coat of exterior paint. Read on to learn how painting the outside of your house can help get it sold faster.

If this is the first time you’re painting your home, you most likely don’t have a trusted painting contractor to get the job done right. Unfortunately, this means that you’ll need to go about finding the right one the old-fashioned way, which is taking to the phonebook (well, today, more like Google), and contacting local painters with great reviews. Once you’ve narrowed your search down, you’ll need to get some answers to important questions. Read on to learn four questions you should ask your painting contractor before signing a contract with them.