Seeing Red
Seeing Red: How This Bold Color Impacts Home Sales
If you’re planning on selling your home this year, chances are you’re considering painting it to make sure its presentation is on point. After all, a fresh coat of paint can make a world of difference, giving your home a competitive edge, right? Painting a home in order to sell can increase the market value and help it to sell faster. With a small budget, you can make a huge impact by glossing over imperfections such as scratched and tired walls plus marked or scuffed doors.
But not so fast with that paintbrush! Not all colors were created equal, so choose carefully. As we explored in our color psychology blog, some colors have a positive effect that entices the buyer to make an offer, while other colors are a huge turn off, acting like a bucket of cold water.
Less Is More
It’s fascinating how a color choice can affect buyers and impact their decision. Picture this, a property looks flawless from the outside, curb appeal is on point, it’s located in a great area, and the garden is stunning. Sounds like the perfect home, right? Well, let’s look at the effect of the color red can have on that house once a potential buyer walks through the front door. According to Forbes, if the dominant color in your home is brick or barn red, you’re in for a challenge when it comes to the selling price.
For the use of the color red in a home, the rule is simple: less is more. Experts in interior designs and realtors agree – it’s best to choose neutral tones when decorating a home and setting the stage to sell. Beige and white are excellent choices in creating a blank canvas that a buyer can visualize themselves purchasing. You want them to feel that they can move their boxes in right away and put their own stamp on the place. After all, your taste in home décor is your own, and others may not share it. You want to appeal to wide audiences.
The downside to neutral colors is that you can create a sterile environment. What’s needed in this case is a pop of color, and red is an excellent choice for this effect. Bright colors, such as red, add interest. The important thing to remember is not to overdo it. Use the color red for an accent wall, to draw the eye, or on soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, or curtains. Overwhelming a room with the color red such as using it on all walls or window frames may overwhelm the space, creating a cramped feeling.
Opening the Door
Your front door is the first thing that a potential buyer will see when stepping onto the property, and first impressions count. Adding a pop of color to your front door makes it stand out, is inviting, and adds interest.
A bold, true red looks amazing on a front door, especially when the exterior is painted a crisp white or stark neutral. We love Pantone Flame which creates a bright red classic look, and Benjamin Moore Umbria Red, which gives a darker, richer red that reminds us of the vineyards of Italy’s Umbria region.
Red front doors have been popular throughout the world, and have various meanings attached. For example, in Asian cultures, a red door symbolizes good luck. In China, it means fortune, and many families paint a fresh coat of red paint on their door to keep the energy fresh and bright. In Feng Shui, a red door means a bold color that attracts abundance and opportunity. In Scotland, a red front door represents paying off the mortgage. In early America, a red front door represented a welcome message for travelers who needed rest.
Sounds like the universe is telling us that the use of the color red on your front door is a great choice for someone selling their home!
Weighing Your Options
Whether you’re going for neutral colors with a pop of red as an accent wall, or whether you’re sticking firmly to the on-trend Pantone colors for 2021 ‘Ultimate Grey’ and ‘Illuminating’, here are some useful tips when it comes to painting. If you have
DIY experience and are happy to paint the property yourself, you could save yourself thousands. However, if your painting skills are not up to par, think of the possible splashes, missed patches or uneven edges that can make the work look amateur and put buyers off. Hiring a professional could pay off in the long run when it comes to selling your home faster and at a better market price. A professional contractor will also have the ladders and rollers that you may not, saving you the additional cost of pricey equipment
Let’s get started
Still not sure about where to start when presenting your home in preparation for a sale? Our blog has tons of staging and interior tips and tricks to get you started!
Why not get in touch to discuss our premium real estate and portfolio marketing services too? We’re motivated and excited to showcase your home, and we know just how to highlight it at its best, using real estate photography, virtual tours, floor plans, 3D models, and aerial + imagery services. We also offer virtual staging, which is perfect for taking an empty property and creating an inspiring space!
We look forward to getting to know you, and your beautiful home in 2021!
