We Asked 3 Real Estate Experts About the Best-Selling House Colors, and Their Responses Were Actually Surprising
The “definite winner” just might shock you.
Selling a house is never an easy process. You might need to do some remodeling inside to get it up to snuff, and keeping it constantly clean for showings is a hardship in itself. But have you thought about how your exterior color affects your curb appeal? Home buyers sure do, and it’s something to ponder if you’re serious about selling.
Alex Caras, Realtor at Chicago’s Magellan Realty LLC, recommends always thinking about “digital curb appeal,” adding that around 80 percent of home buyers begin their search online on sites like Zillow or Realtor.com.
“Be sure to think about how the home will photograph, because if you do not catch the attention of a buyer quickly, they will jump to the next listing in their search,” Caras says.
And one surefire way to quickly grab attention is through your exterior color. If your color is looking a little dingy and faded, it’ll show up in the photos. Or perhaps your home sports a color that isn’t exactly in style right now, which could be an eyesore. Meanwhile, an on-trend color could turn heads.
It doesn't start and end with the siding, however. Caras explains that while exterior colors are certainly important, “the number one thing buyers tend to notice is the color of the entry door.” If you don’t have the time or budget to give your exterior a complete makeover, a newly-painted door might do the trick instead.
“A pop of color on a more neutral exterior, such as a yellow door with a white or gray house color, will be an attractive curb-appeal element and also looks fantastic when photographed for your listing photos,” he says.
Ginger Lazovik, realtor on the Falk Ruvin Gallagher Team, Keller Williams, in Milwaukee, says that it’s also important to envision how potential buyers will “approach” your home—not just from the listing, but in real life.
“Stand in your street and imagine you're looking at your house for the first time,” she says. “What catches your eye that shouldn't? What should catch your eye but isn't? Make sure the approach to your home is thoughtful and reflects how you want people to feel before they even reach your door.”
Apart from switching up that exterior color, Lazovik recommends making landscaping look crisp with fresh mulch and an edged lawn, making sure your mailbox is clean and in good condition and confirming that your house numbers are large enough to be visible from the street with numbers that emulate the style of your home (whether that's modern, traditional or whimsical).
Yolanda Muckle, President of Maryland REALTORS, says that it can also be beneficial to power wash your home before selling and, if you’re not going to paint the entire exterior, at the very least freshly paint the door and shutters. And be sure to look over the condition of your lawn and treat it for weeds, which Muckle says are two things that buyers keenly pay attention to.
When it comes to house hues nowadays, there’s very nearly an “anything goes” philosophy. For instance, once upon a time, black was basically considered to be an outlawed color for home exteriors. And today, you might be surprised to learn that it’s the color of choice among buyers, according to our experts.
But if a surprising color isn’t for you, Muckle has this timeless advice: “When selling a home, neutral colors continue to be the best choice to include gray, beige, taupe, cream and off-white.”
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8 Best-Selling House Colors, According to Real Estate Experts
1. Benjamin Moore’s “Black Beauty”
Caras says that this particular moody shade “is a definite winner in terms of selling a home for more money.” He goes on to say, “Black is a strong color to go with in terms of your house, but it is a color that can be used both as a main color or even an accent.” These days, black has a way of making a house look modern and sophisticated in no time.
2. Farrow & Ball’s “Off Black”
If a deep black isn’t your color of choice, to capture the trend, you can always go with a soft black, like this one from Farrow & Ball. Calling it a “striking” color, Lazovik notes that the undertone isn’t too cool and the color has a “wow” factor without being intimidating. It’s a color that’s sure to grab positive attention, that’s for sure.
Related: DIY Network Star Rachel Street Shares Low-Cost Tips to Help You Update or Sell Your Home
3. Sherwin-Williams’ “Daybreak”
Another surprising color that’s selling well these days? Yellow.
“Yellows are another friendly, chipper color that attracts buyers,” Caras says, adding that this shade from Sherwin-Williams works particularly well.
“It isn’t as lemony as many yellows and offers that muted, neutral feel, but still has more pop than a traditional gray shade,” he says.
4. Farrow & Ball’s “Hague Blue”
While blue tends to be a classic, it’s undoubtedly a bold, saturated hue to choose for your home’s exterior. Caras says that shades of blue have become “really good for selling a home and refreshing the exterior.” This color from Farrow & Ball “is a deep shade that looks great on materials like wood or Hardie Board siding [fiber cement siding].”
5. Cabot’s “Driftwood Gray”
Let’s say that a surprising color isn’t your speed for your exterior. In that case, we’ll direct you to shades of gray, like this stain option from Cabot. Caras calls this one “possibly the best gray shade for exteriors when you’re planning on selling your home.”
He explains, “Neutral tones work well on exteriors and interiors, and this one is a winner when it comes to getting a home buyer to envision themselves living in your home.”
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6. Sherwin-Williams’ “Agreeable Gray”
Another gray hue that’s very popular is this best-selling pick from Sherwin-Williams. “With its warm, beige undertone, it's neutral without being cold,” Lazovik says, which is especially important if you’d like your home to have a warm feel outside.
7. Benjamin Moore’s “White Dove”
A color you can’t go wrong with no matter what? White. And when it comes to this shade from Benjamin Moore, Lazovik says that interior designers “love this classic, creamy white,” an option if you don’t want to go with stark white for your exterior.
8. Behr’s “Whisper White”
Caras finds this color from Behr to be “surprisingly popular among home buyers.” He says, “This is because white paint tends to get dirty and needs to be power-washed. However, the stunning brightness makes the home look more inviting and friendly.” So, if you’re fine with the occasional power wash outside, opt for white since it’s a fairly trend-proof color.
Next up, discover the best time to buy a house in the next few years.
Sources
Alex Caras, Realtor at Chicago’s Magellan Realty LLC
Ginger Lazovik, Realtor on the Falk Ruvin Gallagher Team, Keller Williams
Yolanda Muckle, President of Maryland REALTORS
