None too early to repaint old house

The paint on my sister's 90-year-old house, which must stand vacant many years before it can be sold, has peeled in places down to the bare wood. Is it wiser to repaint now or wait until the house can be sold? What kind of paint should be used? Gertrude Mouat Janesville, Wis.

By all means, protect the old exterior wood of the house. As soon as the weather permits, prime the bare spots as they show up and follow with a finish color coat in a good quality of house paint.

When exposed wood starts rotting in a 90-year-old house, it can spread fast. Don't let that happen.

Use a primer and paint as recommended by a respected local paint store.