When preparing your house for sale, the most common advice you’re likely to hear is to repaint both the interior and exterior of the property.
Sales agents will be especially keen for you to give the property a facelift so prospective buyers feel the property has been well maintained and feels fresh and inviting.
Painting is one of the most effective and cheapest renovation strategies, but you still need to have some cash put aside if you’re going to hire professionals for the job.
You can expect to pay $10,000+ to paint a four-bedroom family home – but it will look amazing and our agents believe you’d get a return on your investment by attracting more potential buyers and achieving a higher price.
You should pay close attention to the quality of the exterior of your home, too. Making a great first impression is all-important when selling a home.
Buyers have been known to take one look at the outside of the property and turn on their heel simply because of its shabby appearance.
So, what are the best colours to paint your home?
The exterior should match the style and era of the home. Federation homes would likely have a different colour scheme to those built in the 90s.
However, when it comes to the interior, every agent will suggest you use only neutrals because these not only make rooms feel bigger, but they are appealing to potential buyers.
A bright red feature wall may be stunning to your eye, but a buyer might think it jarring. And while the fix is super-easy, buyers will often walk away if they feel they need to repaint and possibly renovate.
If you’re worried your home might feel bland, then there are some colours that might be suitable.
Here are some suggestions:
Think twice – Before opting for strong colours, carefully consider the prevailing advice of most sales agents. By choosing a consistent neutral colour, your home will have a visual flow. A property with too many different or clashing colours can feel disjointed.
Sheen matters – Before choosing a colour, consider the type of paint finish that will work best as sheens reflect light differently. For example, a gloss sheen will be too shiny in most properties. Matte is perfect for hiding dings, scuffs and scratches.
Reflect on this – A flat white for your ceiling is ideal, as it will reflect the light and make any room feel larger. If you need to paint over water stains, consider an enamel paint, which will stop the brown marks showing through.
Cool kitchen – Olive green is a popular choice for kitchens currently. It’s a grounding colour that offers an atmosphere of calm.
Deep sleep – A deep navy blue can be striking in a bedroom. Bright, primary colours should never be seen in a bedroom. Instead, you want to create an aura of calm and restfulness. However, you need to style the room carefully to carry navy blue walls.
Back to nature – Similar to a kitchen, olive and earthy browns can work well in a bathroom if you confine them to a feature wall. This approach has become popular in the United States. However, most local buyers will respond to a more classic approach of bright white tempered by brushed steel or black tapware.
Living room: Darker neutrals, such as a light grey or even a lighter beige, can make a big impression on buyers. If you’d like to go down this path, then it’s essential you have plenty of natural light.
Colours to avoid – Primary, playful colours do not work when selling your home. Red, yellows and pinks can be lots of fun in a kid’s bedroom, but they will not serve you well once the “For Sale” sign has been erected at the front of your property.