Whether you are sprucing up your home with the intention of selling soon, or you’re just doing regular maintenance on your home’s appearance, the right paint matters when it comes to your resale value. You may not be planning to sell your home anytime soon, but life and jobs sometimes spring surprises on us! So it’s always a good idea to keep that possible future home listing in mind when making decisions about renovations and repairs, including painting.
Outside Paint
You spend most of your time inside your home and will probably know quickly if the color scheme of a room just isn’t working. However, it is important not to ignore the paint needs of your home’s exterior as well. Regular upkeep of your shutters and front door in a pleasant, welcoming color will be very helpful when it comes time to sell your home. Experts recommend colors such as blue or grey, or any cool shade that matches the rest of your home’s exterior, for front doors. If your home’s exterior is siding or stucco, a full repaint project will be needed every 10-15 years on average. While this is a much bigger undertaking, it can usually be completed in 1-2 days by a professional painting company. Ask your neighbors for recommendations for a quality company in your area. And don’t forget that the color you choose matters. According to a recent study, houses that are painted yellow sell for more than $3,000 less than houses painted in a more neutral tone such as gray or beige.
Interior Paint
Here’s something you might find surprising. Homes with blue or grey-blue kitchens sell for $1,809 more than kitchens of another color. Light blue is also considered to be the best color for bathrooms and dining rooms when it comes to resale value. Does this mean you should paint your entire house blue? No, but it’s definitely something to consider when choosing a new color scheme. A light blue kitchen that transitions into a blue-grey dining room is a great way to put this idea into use without overpowering your entire downstairs with more blue than you would like.
Aside from blue, neutral colors in general are still extremely popular for reselling. Choose your paint colors room by room, giving careful consideration to room size, furniture color and style, and the amount of natural light that enters the room at different points throughout the day. And don’t be afraid to bring in a little vibrancy – an accent wall in a brighter hue will achieve this effect without reducing your home’s value in the manner that a fully bright orange room might.
Do too many neutral colors in your home make you feel like you aren’t able to personalize rooms the way you would like? Remember that you can always get your pops of colors from accessories such as area rugs, throw pillows and artwork. This will work out better for your bank account in the long run!