What colors sell a home?

Last week, I covered the topic of staging a home with furniture. While it makes a huge difference to a space, did you know that changing your paint colors can sell a house too? Take it from the girl who once tried to list her house with pumpkin spice orange walls, color can make or break how quickly your house sells.

If you have tuned into HGTV or thumbed through a home magazine lately, you will have undoubtably noticed palette after palette of neutrals such as beige, white, gray and cream. It is for a good reason. These colors tend to show better than the more saturated hues. Why? We tend to associate clean, new, and fresh with the neutrals. A neutral palette can make a room seem larger, a ceiling taller, or light brighter.

Here is tasteful example of how I should have shown my love for all things pumpkin spice with just a pop of orange.
Photo by www.traditionalhome.com

Not only is this a gorgeous use of neutrals, but textures as well. Photo from Fixer Upper via www.hgtv.com

Home buyers have an easier time picturing themselves in a spaces that are neutral because it acts like a canvas. There is going to be a very small percentage of your buyer population that is going to like the same colors that you do. So it easier for them to imagine making the space their own if you paint it in colors like beige or white.

However, beware. The old idiom that too much of a good thing can turn into a bad thing can also apply to paint colors, even the neutrals. A beige wall, with a beige carpet, that transitions into a beige tile bathroom is not going to sell very well either. This is because all that neutral color does not photograph well. Home buyers are increasingly turning to websites like realtor.com and zillow.com to scope out houses that they want to tour. They will sift through hundreds of pictures during their search. Adding pops of vibrant color with accents like an abstract art piece, throw pillows, or accent chair is a great way to make your house stand out from the rest.

I love how colorful, fresh flowers make any room feel warm and luxurious. I always try to use them in my listing photos and open houses.  Photo By: Adan Torres via www.hgtv.com

So that pumpkin spice orange room I mentioned earlier... I am almost embarrassed to admit that it was accompanied by a jalapeno green bedroom and citrus green bathroom as well. What can I say? I was young and color clashing was my version of a rebellious tattoo. At the time, I loved it, buyers, understandably, did not. Our house sat on the market for months until our realtor gently suggested that we repaint it in neutral colors. Upon taking her advice the house sold in a couple of weeks.

Need some inspiration? Here are some of the best selling neutral paint colors by Benjamin Moore:

Manchester Tan by Benjamin Moore

Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore

Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore

Shaker Beige by Benjamin Moore

Sheep's Wool by Benjamin Moore

To see all of the best selling neutral paint colors go here: Benjamin Moore. Thinking about listing your home and not sure where to start? Call or text Kristin Carbo at 870-273-3211 to set up a free consultation.

Staging to Sell

Interview with Amanda Barker of Amanda Barker Interiors

I recently had the pleasure of working with local interior designer, Amanda Barker on my client's listing at 2264 Williamsburg Drive. She took time out of her busy schedule of renovating and remodeling to answer some questions and give some expert advice on staging a home and getting it ready to put on the market. Amanda lives in Jonesboro, Arkansas and has been working in interior design for 18 years. She was the first to bring staging to Northeast Arkansas and been accredited since 2006. 

Kristin: What drew you to interior design?

Amanda: It was something I practiced at an early age, long before I even knew it was a career option. I was sketching, and designing new spaces as well as moving things all around and giving my parents' home a new look. 

Kristin: What is your favorite thing about your work?

Amanda: Every job is something fresh and different. I get to help people make the most of their space for a more enjoyable lifestyle.

Kristin: What are you currently inspired by?

Amanda: Custom trim, built-ins, and the color navy. 

Kristin: Why is staging so important in real estate?

Amanda: It is so important for the maximum return on investment, as well as helping new potential owners envision themselves in the space. 

Kristin: Do you have any advice for anyone trying to stage a home on their own?

Amanda: Clear as much of the perimeter of the rooms as possible. It's great to be able to see lots of baseboards. Less is more and that goes for closets too. Try to have empty closet floors and store things toward the top instead. 

Kristin: What is your number one tip for preparing a home to be listed?

Amanda: Take photos first, and then assess your home through the photos. We get so accustomed to seeing our own things that we often don't see what needs to be addressed in the way of clutter. Clear and pack as much as possible. We want buyers to see the bones of the house instead of your things. 

Kristin: What was your biggest staging challenge?

Amanda: I can think of a log cabin home that I did once that was a bachelor pad and home of a big dog. I tell this story to anyone that makes apologies for their home. I always tell them of the time that I saw dog hair in the form of a tumbleweed and I assure them that theirs looks just fine! On a serious note though, that home was professionally cleaned, staged with beautiful rustic pieces and showed beautifully. It still stands out as one of my favorite end results. 

If you are ready to take your listing to the next level and start getting the attention of your buyer market, call or text Amanda Barker at 870-930-4181. See examples of her work at facebook.com/AmandaBarkerInteriors. If you like the pictures you see above, that is also Amanda's handy work and it is currently for sale! Check it out here 2264 Williamsburg Drive. To set up your personal tour of this gorgeous home or get a complimentary comparative market analysis on your home call Kristin Carbo at 870-273-2311