THE BEST EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS
The best-selling exterior paint color may be the one that enhances your home’s curb appeal without making it look like it should be sitting in a different neighborhood. There are many factors to consider when choosing an exterior paint color, especially when resale is your goal. An article published by “Exterior House Paint Colors” stresses the importance of understanding regional and neighborhood standards as well as your home’s style, size, construction materials and even the color of the roofing.
White
According to a national survey conducted by Sears Weatherbeater Paints, the most popular color for a home’s exterior is white. The survey found that nearly 40 percent of those polled said they would prefer white as the primary color of the exterior of their home. The survey concluded that the least favored colors were yellow and red. White paint can make the outside of a home look more expansive and can bring light into a shady yard. You can accentuate trim and other architectural details on a white house by painting them in another subtle, but noticeable, color.
Neutral Colors
If you want to make your home look newer and more modern, take a look at the colors being used on new housing developments in your area. Typically, newer homes are painted in light, neutral shades, including light tones of tan, clay, cream, gray or beige. Shades of white are often used on the trim. You can incorporate a splash of color by painting the door a contrasting shade. For instance, a deep gray-blue door looks stately on a light-gray home with white trim.
Dark Colors
Generally speaking, light colors are the best bet for painting a home for resale; however, if your home is in an older neighborhood, a light color may make it look out of place or less charming than the traditionally painted homes around it. Medium to dark shades of tan, gray, blue and brown may be the most common in established neighborhoods. Homes built from brick or stone often have trim painted in dark red, deep green or Williamsburg blue. In Seattle, many deeper shades are favored in the downtown neighborhoods.
When we guide an investor through the rehabilitation process of their property, we often consult them on the exterior home color and help them choose the most appropriate choice for the neighborhood.
Here’s an example of a home that rehabbed for an investor. We decided to choose a more neutral exterior color that appeals to a greater number of home buyers. Our choice paid off and the house was on the market for a short period of time. The home was initially a deep red color. Our expert teamed advised our investor that a light tan would be more appealing in this particular area.
