When selling your home, appearance is everything. Recent research by Zillow reveals the best paint colors to increase buyer interest and garner a higher selling price. However, Zillow also warns of certain colors to avoid.
Amanda Pendleton, Zillow home trends expert, tells me that a bright yellow kitchen or a bright red bedroom may do more harm than good. “We found that these two choices can decrease a home’s selling price by $3,915 and $1,987 respectively,” she says.
Neutral Wins The Day
When I was a child, by bedroom was red, but when we sold my childhood home, the realtor insisted it be paired a neutral color. That doesn’t surprise Brett Ringelheim, licensed real estate salesperson at Compass in New York, who says he always emphasizes to his sellers the importance of selecting neutral paint colors before listing. In fact, having to make modifications as a result of a poor showing is one of the reasons homes are delisted. “Drawing from my experience representing both sellers and buyers, I consistently provide transparent feedback to my sellers, always striving to optimize their home’s presentation to achieve the highest possible sale price.”
Admittedly, Ringelheim says it’s not easy to pinpoint the impact of paint colors on a home’s sale price – and he notes other, more important factors should account for a lower sales price. “I wouldn’t advise a client to submit a lower offer solely based on the current paint color, as it’s a relatively minor aesthetic change.”
However, some of his clients are turned off by bold paint colors, and when viewing a property online, buyers may decline to tour the home in person.
Jen Cameron, managing partner at The Agency Seattle, doesn’t think sellers should take a chance of losing buyers over paint colors.
“Paint is hands-down the most cost-effective way to make the biggest impact when selling your home — and it’s often underestimated,” she says. In fact, Cameron is in favor of repainting your walls in general before placing your home on the market.
“A fresh coat doesn’t just make a home feel clean and cared for; it sets the stage for buyers to imagine their own life in the space,” she says. In the Pacific Northwest, Cameron explains that they don’t get as much sun, and says gray walls can feel extra gloomy. “I agree that bold colors like red or yellow tend to date a home, while a soft white or neutral palette feels fresh and current.” Even for accent walls, she recommends sticking with a timeless neutral.
The Devil Is In the Details – And You Should Be As Well
As it relates to paint, consider more than just colors. “Sheen also matters — what works in a bathroom may not be right for a living room — and that’s where consulting with a paint expert can make all the difference,” Cameron says.
And when it comes to trim and baseboards, Cameron explains that the right paint and a careful application are key. “These little details might seem small, but they add up to a big impression.”
In fact, she tells her clients that paint is one of the few investments they can make when preparing their home for sale that actually makes them more money in return.
Don’t Forget The Exterior
The Zillow report focused on interior spaces, but Cameron advises sellers to take care of the home’s exterior as well. “Curb appeal is real — buyers are particular about how a home looks from the outside.” So, if the paint on the home’s exterior is peeling, faded, or hasn’t been touched in 20 years, she says it’s time to make that investment.
“But again, choose a neutral color that appeals to the current market.” Cameron often brings an interior designer along to help clients make the best paint selections – both inside and out.
Luxury property specialist Libby McKinney Tritschler, agrees that the home’s exterior is important, since it sets the tone before a buyer ever walks through the door. “A home’s curb appeal creates an emotional connection right away, and homes with fresh, neutral exteriors often appear more move-in ready and well-maintained.”
She believes that some colors, like a dated brick red or bold yellow and brown, may turn buyers away before they even step inside. “If repainting a home is not in the sellers’ budget, a freshly painted front door in a bold, welcoming color like black or deep blue has been shown to add visual interest and even increase perceived value,” Tritschler says.
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