One of the most treasured aspects of home ownership (second only to the financial advantages over renting) is the ability one has to make their abode uniquely their own. Once you own a home, you can remodel the kitchen, replace the flooring, create your dream spa bathroom, update the landscaping, and of course, paint your home’s interior in absolutely any way you please.
Even so, if this isn’t destined to be your forever home and it’s probable that you’ll eventually want to re-sell it, ideal exterior and interior design options are more limited. The brightly colored exterior trim, oxblood living room accent wall, vivid violet nursery with turquoise accents, or blocky Minecraft-themed child’s bedroom you’ve treasured during your time as this home’s owner may make it more difficult for you to command top dollar when you sell it.
With that in mind, let’s talk about some foolproof paint colors that will still enable you to craft a version of your idea of “home sweet home.” Upon initial inspection, these colors may seem less exciting when compared to the hues that you prefer. However, they have consistently been ranked as the most appealing paint colors to the broadest swath of American homebuyers. This report comes from the site Fixr.com, and while it was published in 2020, the information is just as sound today.
Whether you’re preparing to purchase your first home or if you’re a homeowner who is finally ready for some renovation projects, it’s important to look to your long-term housing plans before you begin. Remember, when selling a home, the goal is to present prospective buyers with a nearly blank canvas onto which they can easily project their vision of life in a new home.
The Exterior
Curb appeal creates the first impression on potential buyers, and as we all know, first impressions really are everything. Even if a buyer truly appreciates the bones of the home’s interior, if the curb appeal (or lack thereof) turned them off from the start, there’s a high probability that they’ll pass on the property. To improve the initial feeling your home conveys, exterior paint in shades of soft white, beige, dove gray, greige, taupe, oatmeal, and mushroom are all suitable for nearly all architectural styles.
The Kitchen
Fixr’s report revealed that central gathering spaces within the home, like the kitchen, are best painted warm gray or soft white. While you don’t want to choose a harsh, bright white, creamy white hues are great because they create a clean, fresh appearance while simultaneously presenting buyers with a blank canvas for their own ideas and themes.
The Master Bedroom
In the master bedroom, soft white is a winner again. Here, though, softer shades of dove gray, neutral taupe, cool mushroom, and neutral cream are also excellent choices.
The Bathroom
Barely-there pale blue takes the prize for best color for any small space (think bathrooms and laundry rooms). This color feels inviting, but not overwhelming, suits these water-centered rooms, and invokes a clean feeling.
The Power of Neutrality
While neutral hues are having a serious moment the past several years, it’s no secret that neutrality has been key for decades when it comes to selling your home. From staging to landscaping, each area of your home should present to potential buyers as a backdrop for their lives as they envision themselves creating a life there.
Of course, this enormous undertaking isn’t something you must tackle on your own. Your Parks real estate agent will work with you, making recommendations and even connecting you with an outstanding stager. A stager can whisk through your property, transforming it from a lived-in space to a model home in record time.
If necessary, a home stager will hire cleaners, rent (and style) furniture and art. Ultimately, when working with a reputable home staging company, their advice should be given serious consideration. According to Forbes, “More than 80% of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for [their clients] to see themselves in the home, according to a 2021 survey by the NAR. [Additionally], 23% of agents said that home staging led to increased offers between 1% and 5% compared to similar homes that weren't staged.”
If you’re planning to sell your home this year, it’s time to begin preparations. It may sound extreme, but it’s been proven to work: remove as many traces of your own life as possible and stick with neutral paint schemes as you begin showing your home to potential buyers. This formula will ensure that you snag top dollar for your home, which will impact your finances for years to come.
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