I have been asked several times, “What is the least expensive thing I can do to my house to help sell it?”. Answer “PAINT”. There is something about a fresh coat of paint that changes a house. Currently my house is being painted. My wife and I did the kitchen when we had time and then we hired some great painters to finish the living area. (see New Cut Painters on my referral directory, link on homepage). I have been surprised by the amount of times I will hear a client or another agent say a house isn’t “move-in ready”. The main issues are always paint and flooring. The house may be nice, but doesn’t have that appearance of just being able to move in tomorrow. Paint is the simplest to remedy.
Paint is inexpensive and adds value. If you do the work yourself you can do a room for well under $100 and be done in just a few hours.
Tips:
Neutral is often the first instinct. I agree that a neutral color is probably best. I have found that people tend to go extremeley light on the neutral. Get a test pint and try a shade darker and see what you like. We had four different colors on the wall till we found the right one.
A splash of color on an accent wall can have a big impact. Color creates depth in a room and also can create good feelings for a buyer. According to HGTV 60% of a buyers feeling about a space is based on color. Check out HGTV.com for more information. I personally like soft blues, yellows, and greens. Pick a color that goes well with your furniture and tile. Look at your tile or a piece of art for specific colors.
Avoid flat finishes – flat finishes don’t tend to be as durable and lack character. I recommend an eggshell or satin finish.
Lighting – The type of lighting you have in your room will change how the color looks. Try switching about bulbs from brite white to soft white etc.
Paint and color can be the little thing that provides a big impact on selling your home. The other benefit is that you’ll love your new room.
Till next time Happy Painting
Joseph Cortez 