One easy way to make your home look fresh and new before you put it on the market is to apply a fresh coat of paint.

Although this is a big task to undertake, many homeowners take it on themselves because it saves a lot of money. But before you begin painting the house, you should brush up on your painting skills and knowledge and do a little research before you begin the task.

Because although painting a home without the help of professionals can save a lot of money, there is a lot of room for some major mistakes to occur.

A recent article featured on about.com by Bob Formisano, “Common house paint problems and repairs,” discusses some common problems that can occur when painting a home as well as their reason for occurring and some ways to fix the problems so they do not completely ruin your project.

Problems with a paint job can even occur after you have painted the home due to extreme weather or just a plain old bad job.

Research and understanding the painting process are keys to completing a successful paint job.

The most common (and menacing) problem that occurs with a botched paint job is blistering paint.

“Blistering paint is identified by small to medium sized bubbles or blisters under the paint film and is most common on wood siding and trim.”

Blistering paint is usually caused by painting in direct sunlight when the surface is hot. You can avoid this problem by not painting directly in the sun, or when it is extremely hot out side.

Another common painting problem that crops up is something called efflorescence. “A problem of painted masonry construction, efflorescence is identifiable by crusty white salt deposits that bubble through the paint film from a masonry structure. Salts in the brick or concrete become dissolved with water and then leach to the surface as the water evaporates.”

This usually occurs when the surface was not prepared correctly prior to applying the paint.

Sagging paint looks like paint that is dry but is dripping down the wall and can be very unsightly and ugly on the exterior of a home. It is also one of the easiest “paint problems” to avoid.

It is usually caused by a “heavy handed” paint application.

“Possible Repairs: If you catch the paint while still wet, use a brush or roller to redistribute the excessive paint evenly. If the paint is dried, sand the uneven area and lightly reapply paint. If paint was applied to a glossy surface, sand the glossy surface to dull it and create a "tooth" for the paint to adhere or apply a primer and repaint. Paint using two light coats instead of one very heavy coat. Do not overload the paint brush.”

Avoiding these common paint mistakes will ensure that you have a successful painting experience while saving money by not hiring professional painters.