Selling your home can be stressful. Yes, this includes searching Google with phrases like “best color to paint a house to sell.” Zillow reports that 36% of homeowners break down in tears at least once throughout the process.
Prepping your home for sale is without a doubt one of the biggest hassles involved. And if you’re looking for a way to cut down on the selling stress and boost your appeal to buyers, this guide is for you.
Inside, we’ll cover five top home preparation tips. You’ll learn what are the best color to paint house to sell, how a simple update can give your home new life, and why investing in a new paint job could seriously pay off financially.
Let’s get to it.
- Get Your Repairs Affairs in Order
Nothing turns away prospective buyers like homes that come with immediate repair projects.
Nail holes, dents in drywall, water damage, mold—these all reflect poorly on the condition of your home and scare off buyers. So, it’s worth investing a bit of time and effort into making the necessary repairs to beautify your space.
But don’t stop with the walls. Be sure to repair the following problems if you want to get the best possible value for your property.
- Broken kitchen cabinets and appliances like stoves, microwaves, and dishwashers.
- Leaky plumbing in your sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.
- Ripped, cracked, or stained flooring and carpets.
- HVAC systems and water heaters.
- Electrical systems, lights, plugs, and ceiling fans.
- Damaged fencing, doors, and exterior siding.
- Drainage problems.
- Worn-out roof shingles.
Repairs might be extensive for some. But putting in the time now can save you from lots of closing hassles down the line. Consider hiring a professional painting company to help.
*Spruce up your indoor colors
One of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to increase your chances of selling is adding a fresh coat of paint to your interior.
When it comes to determining the best colors to paint a house for sale in 2022, you’re likely going to want to stick to the basics.
In an interview with Sherwin-Williams, home staging expert Rosalyn Ashford notes that neutral interior tones are some of the best colors to paint a house to sell.
“If the house is more traditional with a lot of trim and molding, a little color on the walls emphasizes these details. So, deeper beiges, creams, or grays could work well. If the house is more contemporary with large rooms and open spaces, off-white and soft grey might work better here.”
That being said, buyers are becoming more accepting of colors throughout the home. The key is to make sure the colors complement each other, add (not detract) from the home’s integrity, and not evoke any intense emotions—think hot pinks, deep lavenders, and lime greens.
And always work with professional interior painters for the best results.
*Clear out the clutter
Moving out is the perfect opportunity to toss out the old dust collectors in your home. And doing so can help you better sell your home, too.
People love buying a home that exudes warmth. But sometimes, all that family clutter can make your space feel cramped. It can even make it hard for buyers to imagine what they would do to make it feel like their own.
When you weed through your clutter before selling, you’re opening the door for buyers to see the full potential of your home. It also makes it infinitely easier to stage your home for maximum appeal.
And please don’t forget the garage. If you don’t have time, considering a professional garage organization company may provide a healthy return.
Speaking of garages, make sure your garage door and opener are in good working order. If you need help, get an estimate from a garage door repair company serving your area.
*Add a new look to your exterior
Your interior might not be the only thing that needs a fresh coat of paint—your exterior could probably use some work too.
Your home’s exterior is the first thing people see before touring the house. It’s the first impression. And if you can nail that, you’re more likely to spark interest in potential buyers.
If you’re looking for the best colors to paint a house to sell, check out Sherwin-Williams’s neutral exterior paint colors like Sensible Hue (SW 6198), Dress Blues (SW 9176), and Extra White (SW 7006).
But there’s more to repainting your exterior than looks. Doing so also provides the following benefits:
- Increased protection against the elements
- Longer lifespan of siding
- It prevents staining and peeling
- Keeps out moisture
- Prevents insect damage
Granted, you could tackle the job yourself, given you know what you’re doing.
But as with interior painting, working with professional exterior house painters will lead to a better-looking home with higher curb appeal.
*Update your fixtures and hardware
Last but not least, an often-underutilized technique for boosting home value is updating and replacing your fixtures and hardware.
If you find yourself cringing at bright brass light fixtures or bathroom/kitchen cabinet handles, now’s a great time to replace them with something more modern.
Stainless steel, matte black, and satin nickel hardware can give even the most outdated homes a more contemporary. And for most homeowners, this is an easy DIY job that won’t put too much of a dent in your wallet.