A Realtor’s Best Kept Secret, Use the Right Colors to Sell a Home!

Color makes a huge difference in every home. When a realtor is preparing a house for sale, the colors are extremely important. They can make the difference of whether a house sells or not!

Truthfully, there are several things to do before putting a home on the market. I’ve included advice from a successful realtor offering valuable advice to follow if you want to sell your home!

The colors tell a story.

Imagine for a moment that a potential buyer walks into a home and the colors are clean and bright. Creating a more open, lighter environment gives the impression that there is a lot of daylight throughout the home. Right away the colors have given a positive impression.

As a second example, if a potential buyer walks into a home and the colors are muted and dull, the colors will give the impression that the home is gloomy and lifeless. Of course this is a dramatic difference from the previous illustration, but it gives a very clear example of how important the colors are from the minute someone walks in the door.

Making the right first impression.

In addition to giving a positive first impression, the colors can also give more information. The color palette you can see in the home in the photo, are colors I chose for a home that went on the market. I selected colors that were fresh and updated. The colors were also softer making them very easy on the eyes. The first impression was that the home is comfortably designed for a buyer of any age. These appealing softer colors made a great first impression!

In this case the home made a great first impression, but also gave a positive second impression as well. The cleaner color palette gave the impression that the home is well done and everything about the home is up to date! I worked with a developer and a realtor, and I both agreed that the colors I selected set the right tone. These subtle colors made a very kind and easy-going first impression. These are admirable qualities wherever they are applied.

Choosing versatile colors.

Softer colors can range from subtle grays, to light blues. Teal or aqua has been very popular as well as a neutral buff or tan. All of the colors are easy to blend with a variety of interior design styles. Their versatility goes a long way in making them universally appealing!

A professional realtors opinion.

A successful realtor I have worked with preparing homes for sale several times is Denis Orloff. When he is preparing a home for sale he has five objectives:

Make the home universally appealing.

This means that the home is not restricted to only one type of buyer. I choose colors for the home so that anyone from a family or single homeowner, professional or homemaker, will find the colors pleasing, making a great first impression. The colors also need to be up to date so that anyone of any age, will be comfortable in the space.

Don’t make it personal!

Another tool Denis uses is to minimize the amount of personal possessions that are visible from the present homeowner. Remove family photos and simplify personal possessions. This will take away the uncomfortable feeling that you are standing in someone else’s home. Counter tops are cleaned off, bookshelves are neatly arranged, and tabletops are absolutely cleared off. These steps reinforce the impression that the home is ready for it’s next owner and makes it easier for people to imagine themselves moving right in.

Every detail matters!

According to Denis Orloff, every detail matters when preparing a home for sale! If the walls are freshly painted, the home tells the story that it has been well taken care of. Denis as a realtor is insistent that there are no places in the home that look tired or worn. Polish any brass doorknobs or hardware, and clean any glass fixtures. A new coat of paint done in the right colors, will go a long way in telling anyone who comes in that this home has been loved, and well cared for!

Make the home move in ready.

I always choose a color palette that anyone buying a home can live with right away, softer colors are more universal and anyone can design around them. A potential buyer will find a home more tempting if they can move in without having to do a lot of work. If the colors are easy to work with, the new buyer won’t even have to lift a paintbrush!

Daylight is everyone’s friend.

Finally, any home that is bright and sunny, is instantly a happier place to experience. Denis was telling me that he likes to open the windows, show off the softer color palette, and remove any window treatments that will block the natural light. The daylight is a great way of making the rooms feel larger and more expansive.

All great suggestions, I hope this guide is helpful if you are even thinking of staging your home for sale. I have other Color911 blog posts that address other issues that will help you prepare your home to go on the market. Check them out here: Color911 Staging Advice

Taking the best advice!

In conclusion, if you are preparing your home to be sold, start thinking of the 5 steps this successful realtor suggested. Every one of the steps he recommended is important, and it is helpful to start the process long before your home goes on the market. If you take these steps, and choose the right colors, there’s a good chance that selling your home can be an easy transition for you and your family, to the next place you will call home!