Color Makes the House Go Sold
Color is a tricky thing because perception of color is subjective. It’s just not the same for everyone.
My 6 year old daughter Maia (soon to be 7, but I refuse to talk about that) is a case in point. The girl is a budding fashionista. She is bold in her choices and has an incredible sense of color. She mixes and matches her clothes coming up with gorgeous combinations never before imagined.
Usually…
Then there are the other times. Fewer than the great times, there are times when Maia loses her mind (to my jaded eyes) and picks something so outlandish, so garish, that it is impossible to look at without believing that you have somehow dropped into a Van Gogh painting with surreal overtones.
In this instance, Maia’s perception of color does not match the reality experienced by those around her. She loves the combination and will defend it with her formidable resources (just ask her mother about that one).
Sometimes, home sellers forget that not everyone agrees with their choice of color. They love the lime green kitchen walls with a passion that refuses to acknowledge that others may HATE green with the same intense passion. Or the color could be yellow, or blue, or red, off-purple.
Whatever color it is that you are devoted to, you’ve got to consider whether it is the right choice to sell your house. It may be the perfect choice for the home you are living in, but is it right for the house you are trying to sell.
I was in a house this week in Stetson Hills. The house was very nice. It was clean with a great floor plan. It showed really well. I was touring the house with another real estate agent and her response when she looked at a bedroom that was well painted in a light blue color was, “I don’t like that blue. They should paint that.” I didn’t see a problem with the blue room, but this other agent did.
Perception is everything.
As a seller, you’ve got to ask yourself if the color you absolutely adore is worth increasing the time it takes to sell your house. If you have colors that cause buyers to have a bad reaction, you might be increasing the length of time it takes to sell your property.
Ultimately, the best advice from most REALTOR’s® is to choose a paint color that is pleasing on the the eye and generally perceived to be neutral in color.
Neutral colors appeal to the masses and that is exactly who you are trying to reach when you sell a house. What are a neutral colors? Soft colors like creme or light browns and gold are good. Done right, light greys can be an excellent choice. White is actually a cold color, so you want to look for warmer colors that are just off white. Click here for an idea of some neutral colors.
Don’t let your love of color interfere with your love of getting to closing table quickly. You can always paint your new house exactly like you want. Isn’t that the joy of moving?
