by Susan Matthews
Scuff marks and dated paint colors do more harm to home sales than you might think. Despite HGTV’s popularity, today’s home buyers don’t want any d.i.y. projects. And, there’s a good chance they’ll be comparing your home to a new construction model home. It’s smart to start with a fresh coat of paint. It will make the house seem cleaner, newer and well-maintained. But chose your colors wisely.
Paint color impacts the sales price of homes, according to a recent Zillow study. Their research also revealed that buyer preferences change from one year to the next. So what worked the last time you sold a house, might not work now.
Your safest bet is a mid-tone neutral. They blend in with any color scheme and help make rooms look larger. Light-colored paint also brightens up rooms. This is especially important in rooms that have limited or no natural sunlight.
In 2018, greige colors (a beige/gray blend) have edged out last year’s grays. For your biggest profit potential, here are my top 5 best staging paint colors from Sherwin Williams:
2. Wool Skein – 6148
3. Agreeable Gray – 7029
4. Universal Khaki – 6150
5. Alabaster – 7008 (a soft white for trim)
Be sure to test your choice to ensure it works with the color of your flooring and the light at different times of day.
If you’re going to tackle the painting job, put some love into the project. Check out Home and Garden for Mere Mortals how-to video. Messy work won’t win you points with buyers. If skill and talent is lacking, hire a pro. Save money and minimize drama by following Consumer Magazine’s tips on hiring a painter.
Now you’re set to wow buyers and get better offers!
Susan Matthews is a Realtor serving the greater Charleston area with Coldwell Banker Carolinas. Contact her for more info on selling your home.
