New, Fresh Paint Colors Will Help Sell House

You've replaced the dented, dull kitchen sink. You cleaned the house and put away all the family pictures. There's one more step for preparing a house for sale: a paint job.

A fresh coat of paint spruces up a house and attracts more potential buyers. But there is no sense in another coat of white. You also don't want to try and guess which bold colors the buyer might want. It might be time to add a meeting with a professional paint color consultant to pre-sale home remodeling plans. There are two approaches to finding a professional paint color consultant.

Some professional paint color consultants are also home staging experts, so one meeting can take care of both goals. Another time- and money-saving option is to go through a professional painting company, which could save time and end up with better results. Some painting companies work with professional paint color consultants and may offer free consultations with each paint contract.

Christina Kittelstad is both a professional paint color consultant and a home stager. She also contracts through paint companies. Kittelstad is the owner of Spiral Design Color Consulting and Home Staging in Denver. She said new paint can help a house sell 10 to 40 percent faster by giving a good first impression and leaving one less project for the new home owner.

"In this difficult market, homeowners need every advantage and tool available to make sure their home sells fast and for top dollar. Kittelstad said. "One of the least expensive tools is paint color. ... Attention is drawn to all the home's best features, and creates the perfect recipe for saving hundreds of dollars, selling faster and even receiving a higher offer."

She said fresh paint also can minimize flaws and drawbacks in the home - including the age of the home. An older home can look decades newer and bring vastly improved curb appeal with new exterior paint. Kittelstad recommends a color that matches the rest of the neighborhood, with some flashy accents on shutters and doors. However, she warns against blue hues, which are statistically least likely to sell a house.

Homeowners should also consider looking for a really attractive color on another house in town, then ask the homeowners' association or the resident for the exact color. The indoor paint can be a little more tricky and complex, which is why a professional paint color consultant can be helpful.

"I recommend selecting a neutral warm color such as tan, creamy beige or mocha for overall main living areas, offices, basements, hallways, stairwells, etc. with crisp white trim throughout the home to bring the entire palette together," Kittelstad said.

She said the entryway color is particularly important for making a good first impression. The kitchen is also crucial. It is the focal point of most homes, and the most studied room in the home for buyers. She also emphasizes the master suite should have a warm color.

"Potential buyers want to feel at home and pampered," she said. "Think spa retreat."

She recommends green and blues for the main bedroom. "Again, think spa retreat. Consider calm sea blues and light or sage-y greens combined with neutrals," she said.