Realtors on House Painting Options to Sell

A home sale is not generally something families take lightly. There are a lot of factors that go into the decision, as well as timing, before a listing goes up. Paint is one of the more-often recommended improvements for a house sale. It can be an inexpensive way to bring more money to the closing table. Here are recommendations from realtors on house painting options to sell.

Should I Paint My House Before Listing?

There’s not a steadfast answer here. Most homes could benefit from at least some light paint touch ups before potential buyers are strolling through your halls. Even more than choosing the latest trending colors, you’ll want your home to look fresh for potential buyers. You’ll also have the chance to fix stains or dings that have happened from everyday life. With a quick paint job, your house will look pristine for showings.

Paint Colors That Sell Houses Faster

White. Most realtors recommend white, or just off white as a blank canvas for new owners to see their lives in. The contrasting opinion is that white reads as stark and cold. Instead, try a palette of neutrals like beige, lavender or greens. They will still look bare enough for the new buyer to see their life taking place, while feeling warm and inviting when they step in.

Kitchens

White kitchens are almost always a bad idea. In theory, they are great when they are pristine and perfectly touched up. Most likely, you use your kitchen, which means splatters, crumbs and messes. Instead of stark white, try gray-blue on the walls. It’s reads clean but masks messes. In addition, Zillow reports gray-blue kitchens nab almost $2,000 more at closings.

Another way to add color to your kitchen is to transform the cabinets. This is particularly effective if you are dealing with older or out of date cabinetry. Reports say that by adding paint in navy or red to old cabinet fronts, your closing will come sooner.

Bathrooms

Grab a gallon of light blue paint and spend the afternoon painting your bathroom. This simple task will freshen the room and bring you $5,440 more than your asking price. Nautical is on trend in a big way and simple to incorporate. Add some gold, red and white for a stylish yet not overpowering look in the bathroom.

Bedrooms

Don’t be blue, go cerulean! This soft, matte blue gets big bucks when it comes to a home sale. Match it with white trim and natural wood to make any bedroom feel like a spa retreat. You’ll be looking at an additional $1,856 according to Zillow.

Living Rooms

Living rooms should be more bare when it comes to paint, that doesn’t mean you are limited to white and barely there colors. Try a gray-brown or beige mixed with deeper versions of the color. Because they are all in the same family, it will look neutral and effortless while creating a chick style. These two cozy colors make rooms seem workable and comfortable in contrast to white and grey which can seem stuffy. You’ll also get $2,000 more on your home.

Dining Rooms

Try a color like slate for your dining room. Blues that lean gray are valued at $2,000 more than other, warmer colors. Pair it with white trim for a crisp and formal look.

Exterior House Colors

Curb appeal is so important to the sale of a home. Avoiding the outside can really cost you in the long run. You’ll want to consult experts in your area on color choice. An exterior painting may cost more than what you stand to gain, so weigh this option carefully. Currently, the most popular exterior color is greige, a brown gray combination. Homes that are this color outside netted $3,496

The Results Are In

For the most part and most money, go with blues and versions of it throughout your home painting. You will always want to look at the current condition of your paint and cost of the jobs before heading into a paint job. If it makes sense from a financial and sales perspective, grab a brush and get to work. If you’re not up to the job yourself, get a free, in-home estimate from our experts.