Almost every early paint failure we see comes from skipped preparation, not from bad paint. Paint needs a sound surface to bond to, and our climate makes weak surfaces worse.
Stucco gets chalky, caulk joints crack, and bare patches hold nothing. If those are not addressed with pressure washing, patching, caulking, and priming, the new coat lifts from the surface beneath it within a season.
Sun exposure is the other factor. Intense direct sun and daily temperature swings are hard on exterior finishes, and the heat builds more on dark colors. Choosing the right sheen and a color that reflects rather than absorbs heat can add real life to the finish.
Horizontal surfaces and west-facing walls take the worst of it. Those are the areas to check first and expect to need the most prep.
A good exterior paint job is mostly preparation with a finish coat on top. When you get an exterior estimate, ask what the prep scope includes. The answer tells you a lot about how long the job will last.
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