Years ago, my sister and her husband built a new home in an Oakdale development. We lived in a mile away in North St. Paul at the time so we drove by often and watched as several homes were constructed in the neighborhood. This development didn’t have restrictive covenants so there were various styles of homes with differing colors and ty
pes of siding giving the area a very eclectic look. As one home we passed by often was starting to look more like a home than a construction project, we noticed the PURPLE door! The house itself, mind you, was a beautiful slate blue, but the door was a striking shade of purple. We were certain it was a mistake!
As it turned out, we had a mutual friend in common with the homeowner of the house with the purple door. So we asked about the very unusual color choice. We were told that it wasn’t a mistake, the owner LIKES purple…Okay we live in Minnesota and it was the 1980’s, Prince was big at time and then there is the Purple & Gold Viking colors so whatever floats someones boat is okay with me. But from that day on, whenever we drove by the house, we remarked, “It must have looked better on the paint chip”.
And over the years, this saying has become code between my husband and I when we visit a friend’s home who has a love for flamboyant or unusual colors.
As a REALTOR® I have to view many homes and from time to time when I am asked to do a market analysis, I come across a “better on the paint chip” room, door or house. When marketing your home, it is essential to make certain your own personality does not prevent the buyer from seeing the details of your home. If a bright orange kitchen counter, hot pink bathroom or lime green playroom is the way you have made your home your own, I do think that is an awesome way to personalize your space. But, you are going to be moving and your favorite colors choices are too wild, it could hamper your sale. Bold colors in internet photos could knock your home right off many potential buyers’ favorite homes lists. And in this slowly recovering real estate market, you don’t want to lose any potential buyers over something as simple to change as paint.
Stage your home with neutrals to bring out the details and style of your home. You want the buyers to feel welcome in your home. That can be difficult as people are quickly often turned off a home by colors they view as a mistake.
Not sure if your home has a “better on the paint chip” colored room? Let me help you get your home picture-perfect ready for a quick sale.
If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota..JPG)
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Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/
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Teri,
I've encountered this several times and I tell the people to re-paint.
Teri,
Neutral is critical. My painters laugh when we meet at a new listing and joke is it going to be Putnam Ivory or Philadelphia Cream for the neutral paint color?
Hey, they work, why ruin a good thing!
All the best, Michelle
OMG Teri - we actually have a purple nut in our neighborhood. What a joy that is! The house facing hers was on the market for a VERY long time ( not my listing). I learned that a distant network lady bought it. I said to her - great house, great location etc etc. You must not have a problem looking out to the purple nut house? Nope she did not. Next...........................LOL
Hi Teri,
So very true! I've done that myself with things, like my roof I put on a few years back. When people ask me about colors, I tell them to think neutral, sort of like vanilla almost everything.
Teri, I'm SO guilty :) It took me over 20 years to have all the paneling finally torn down and the old plaster walls restored and I filled the house with so many colors. I love it but it certainly wouldn't be for everyone :)
Teri, I like your saying. It's so important to have neutral colors to sell. I may need to start painting if I ever sell my house...
We have a few college rivalries here and I do run into colors only the fans would enjoy.
Teri - What a great way to get your point across. I'm sure your sellers really appreciate your insights. It is so critical to present a home in the most appealing way. I hope your year is off to a great start.
Teri,
Talking about codes here in colorado some codes are changing and it is very imporant that we get updated information to share to our clients, great blog as always !
I am a big fan of earth tones myself. The colors of a home can totally change a persons perception. Many sellers have a hard time grasping this and just think someone can change it. The certainly can change it but they fail to realize some people have no vision.