7 Paint Colors Realtors Say Increase Your Home's Value

A fresh coat of paint is an easy and somewhat affordable project whether you are a DIY expert or choose to hire a professional. New paint colors can transform a room's atmosphere and increase your home's value—if you choose the right paint color.

According to Sharon Brown, Dallas General Manager at digital real estate platform Opendoor, it's always better to be cautious when choosing a paint color.

Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Lizzie Cox

"Generally, going with neutral colors like shades of white, beige, taupe, and grays lead to a faster sale," she shares. "Neutral colors are also more appealing to potential buyers because many want the creative freedom of a blank canvas to add their personal touches to when looking for a new place to call home. From a seller's point of view, it can be risky having bright, bold paint colors because personal preference ranges greatly from person to person."

A survey by Opendoor found that the most popular colors for a home's exterior were gray (30 percent) and beige (26 percent). It's official: neutrals equal significant dollar signs, but which shades can seal the deal? To help, six real-estate experts share their go-to hues. Whether you're looking to repaint your home's exterior before the big sale or just in the market for a wall refresh, you're bound to find a shade that fits your interest.

Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray (SW 7029)

"According to an Opendoor survey, 36 percent of homeowners say that painting the interior of one's home is the most important home improvement project," Brown explains. "We most frequently use Sherwin Williams' Agreeable Gray, a neutral 'greige' that works with many decor styles."

Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008)

"I think that light and airy colors are appealing to buyers because it provides a neutral palette for them to work off of," explains Skyler Frazier, realtor at a Georgia-based firm, The Landings.

"If you're looking for a white exterior, Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams is a nice soft white that isn't too stark."

Benjamin Moore Gray Mist (OC-30)

"As far as interiors, I'm seeing less greys and more' greige,'" Frazier adds. "Gray Mist by Benjamin Moore is a fabulous mix between tan and gray and still provides a contrast to your trim, but is a little more homey and inviting than stark white walls."

Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069)

"My tried, and true colors are Sherwin-Williams' Snowbound on the exterior and Iron Ore, which is a very crisp black color for shutters and exterior accents," shares Liz Giddens, a realtor at The Landings Company.

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (OC-65)

"I have three clients [who are] currently painting the whole interior of their houses in Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace," shares Mary Lou Wertz of Maison Real Estate in Charleston, South Carolina. "It is a warm but bright white. This color is also very popular with stagers and interior designers."

Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige (SW 7036)

"Warm grays are fastly becoming the new 'it' colors that result in more profits for home sellers every single time," Florida-based realtor Virginia Girton shares. "If you're starting with mostly warm tones, Sherwin-Williams' Accessible Beige is a great universal paint color that looks great in most interiors and can immediately increase your home's sales price."

Sherwin-Williams Snowbound (SW 7004)

"It's no surprise that white exteriors are very big right now; one of my favorites is Sherwin-Williams' Snowbound," says Jen McConnell, co-owner and broker-in-charge at McConnell Real Estate Partners in the Charleston area. "It's just pure white, but not stark white."