360° Painting 101: How A New Coat of Paint Can Sell Your House

Selling your home can be a stressful experience. But, if you prepare in the right way and anticipate exactly what the housing market demands, you can set yourself up for success. The trick is to make your home “move-in ready”. Homebuyers are already overwhelmed with the process of moving – make your home look as easy as possible. And that means spending a little extra money upfront to get a big reward down the road.

1. Start with the first impression. Everyone knows that first impressions are important when meeting new people. But don’t forget that this also applies to houses. Make sure your house and its potential new owners get off on the right foot. A new coat of paint covers the normal wear-and-tear of a house and assures potential homebuyers that the house has been well-maintained. Focus on the details that help elevate the overall value of the home: the exterior shutters, the front door, and the hallways should be re-painted to ensure a great presentation to potential home buyers.
2. In with the neutrals, out with the bold. Yes, we are the first ones to get enthusiastic about a bold accent wall or saturated colors but, when it comes to selling your house, your number one priority is making it a “blank slate” so that homebuyers can picture themselves, with their own color preferences, in your home. Invest in a fresh coat of neutral paint in your home. The investment will pay off big time.
3. Invest in new linens. Invest in white towels for the bathrooms – this automatically makes the rooms seem brighter and more polished. While you’re at it, setting the table with white plates and subtle linens is another great way to make the home feel move-in ready.
4. Stage your furniture. You may even have to rent furniture to do this but trust us, it is worth the up-front cost. Don’t believe us? Check out Cheryl Eisen who makes huge profits by staging apartments in New York City. Arrange your furniture in a way that other people can imagine themselves in. It is not always practical but what matters is if its aesthetically pleasing.
5. Depersonalize the space. Again, homebuyers want to be able to imagine their futures in the home. It is time to pack up the art-prints that may take a little “getting used to” and to put away your family photos and memorabilia. Just think of this as the beginning to the move-out process. Once your home is on the market it is no longer yours.