"We live in the south where painted wood is usually preferred what do you think?"

I think if the wood is good shape leave it natural,you might get a fashion consous yankee buyer. Should you get a Southern you might offer to freshen it up or give them an allowance for paint.

In addition, if it's a ring-porous wood like oak, the grain is going to show through the paint and might not be the look you are going for.