An Easy Step to Make Your Home More Valuable, Paint!

Hi… here I am again with my second blog attempt. As you may remember, home staging is my passion! As a realtor, on a daily basis I see the value it has in helping homes stand out in the market, sell quicker, and for more money.

Last week we talked about organization and simplifying your environment. Today I want to talk about the second most important step you can take to make your home more marketable… paint!

We often tell clients buying a home, “paint is cheap”, but many times it becomes a stumbling block. They cannot see the value of the home because they just can’t get past the color. “It won’t match my upholstery”, “I don’t want to move in and then move the furniture out again to paint”, “Painting is expensive and messy” are all lines we frequently hear.

Here are a few simple rules to remember.
1) If it doesn’t look fresh and clean… paint it!
2) If the color in a room is anything but neutral… paint it! (However, avoid white. It tends to be cold. Unless in a contemporary setting, it is not warm and inviting.)
3) If your house looks like a circus with different colors at every turn… paint it! The house will appear bigger and more cohesive.
4) Start at the curb of your house and do a walk-thru as if you were a potential buyer seeing it for the first time. A fresh coat of paint on the shutters and especially the front door and door surround will make a great first impression.
5) Wallpaper is out of style! Take it down or paint over it. We have lost sales on many homes due to the fear of wallpaper removal.
6) If ceilings are stained or have any faint marks from a corrected leak or other damage… paint it! This is a red flag for many buyers.

A few dollars and a little effort can bring many dollars in increased value. Buyers today want “move-in ready” and as little time and expense after the sale as possible. Remember… don’t decorate for you, decorate for the buyer.

Thanks for stopping by.