energized seller

I did a 90 second interview last week with Dan Eason from Energized Seller.  Below is the full text of what I wanted to say {90 seconds does go by rather quickly}.

I am in the midst of selling my own home, and while I'm not seriously looking yet, I do check out what's on the market.  This is what I'm seeing a lot of, and my perspective as a potential buyer and a home stager are in agreement on these things:

•v  Red walls ~ They may give your dining room the dramatic look you were after, but a prospective buyer is seeing a lot of priming and painting going on here.  Keep in mind that buyers are looking to the internet first.  When I see a room with red walls, I pass and move on to the next one.   Saying it's "just paint" is one thing but many dark colored walls don't fall into that category.

red dining roomPhoto courtesy of BH&G

•v  Wallpaper ~ Wallpaper, and particularly outdated wallpaper, is a personal choice.  Just like how you decorated your house with your pictures, artwork and accessories wallpaper is a personal choice.  Unfortunately, unlike the other items, you're not taking it with you!  It needs to come down and the buyer is not the one who is going to want to take it down.  As with the previous point, make the time and effort to remove wallpaper.

wallpaper removalPhoto courtesy of BH&G

•v  Borders ~ Fall into the same category as wallpaper.  Remove them.  Borders are dated, especially if used alone on a painted wall.  If you are looking to make the top or mid-portion of your wall interesting, put molding up.  It adds to the value of your home, adds the interest, and everybody loves molding.  Molding can be done fairly inexpensively and you can even ask your local lumber yard or Home Depot to make the cuts for you.

•v  Faux painting ~ If done properly by a professional, faux painting can add a nice touch to a room.  If the faux painting in your home was done DIY and you "just wanted to try it" it should be painted over.  This is another area where prospective buyers are going to think they have quite a bit of work ahead of them.

Some paint color suggestions:  Sherwin Williams:  Sensational Sand, Latte, Hopsack, Dover White, Whole Wheat, Bagel and Interactive Cream. 

Benjamin Moore: Blond Wood, Carlisle Cream, Everlasting, Lady Finger, Southern Comfort, and Antique Lace.

On a budget, you can get most colors made up at Home Depot or Lowe's using their color match system, but you will need a sample of the original color.

If you do have subtle colors - a light yellow, a light green, leave it as is.  If you have pink, blue, purple, brown, black, red, orange, bright yellow, dark green - you should prepare to paint.

Final Thought: 

As much as you may not want to do these things to prepare your home, a buyer is not going to want to do them either.  Nobody wants to have to tackle repainting over a dark color or removing rooms filled with wallpaper.  Make the time and effort to do these things prior to listing your home - it will make it more appealing to a larger number of prospective buyers.  That is the goal after all.

 

Kathy Passarette and Creative Home Expressions are located on Long Island, New York, and offer interior decorating, home staging, interior redesign and much more.  For more information on our services and fees, please visit our website at www.creativehomeexpressions.com.   

 
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29 Comments on Paint & Wallpaper Tips ~ My 90 Second Interview With Energized Seller

AUG
28
243,430 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Kathy, this is good basic advice for preparing a home for sale. There are rooms that are bright and accented to well that it is actually the reason why someone buys a home, but that is the exception rather tahn the rule.

Shaorn

9:15pm • #1
157,068 Points 1 Featured Post

Kathy...yes, yes, yes!  I read your 90 second interview today on ES...nice job and oh so true.  Most of the homes where I've done a consult and a room or two have RED AND there's no change, those homes HAVE NOT SOLD.  Perhaps a coincidence but I don't think so. 

9:22pm • #2
178,749 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Sharon ~ Thank you! I am seeing so many red walls in the pictures of houses that I am seeing online.  Personally, I'm not into red walls so it is an immediate turn-off to me and I'm passing on them - too much work for me at this point in my life!

Ginger ~ Thank you! Believe it or not, I haven't heard it yet! The sound on my laptop is not working right so I have to find a computer with sound.  I've only been doing curious looking at the moment, but I am so surprised to find that for every 6 pictures, 4 of them will have red walls.  One house I saw had a red wall with wallpaper border and an accent wall covered in wallpaper. 

9:35pm • #3

In the first photo the red walls don't bother me as much as the grandma window treatments and strangely colored ceiling.  Paint is one of the cheapest and easiest fixes for a home about to be listed. Small investment - huge impact.  Thanks for the post!

10:05pm • #4

Very smart tips to share!  I like how you pointed out how much the homeowner doesn't want to do the work, neither do the buyers! Thanks for sharing!

Julie

11:19pm • #5
AUG
29
204,849 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great advice, Kathy! FYI - can't remember where I heard this but... I heard that red walls are back in (like wallpaper) and I don't understand why.

I staged a vacant home in Atlanta recently and before bringing the furniture and accessories in, I had them paint their red dining room to a more neutral color. It had been on the market for 6 months with only one family having visited the home. After staging, the house went under contract in 6 weeks. 

Kathy

6:54am • #6
178,749 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Kate ~ I can absolutely attest to that. We painted in our house before listing and while I didn't have dark colors, some rooms we just freshened up with a new coat of paint. 

Julie ~ Thank you! I know it can be a pain to remove wallpaper, I only had to do a powder room in our house, but it makes such a difference.

8:06am • #8
178,749 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Kathy ~ I had heard about wallpaper, but not red walls - I guess that's why I'm seeing so much of it!  Any of the ones I've passed over, I would gladly give a second look to if they paint over it and/or remove any wallpaper. 

Thank you, Charles! I hate to think that other people, not just myself, are not giving these houses a second look because of the thought of the work involved in either covering these dark colors or removing wallpaper.

8:14am • #9
122,307 Points 3 Featured Posts

Excellent -- wallpaper seems to be such a challenge to buyers.  Good advice -- just get rid of it

8:16am • #10
102,863 Points 6 Featured Posts

Great advice Kathy - I have now added to my site Easy Recommendations with before and afters of painted fireplaces, removal of wallpaper, new light fixtures etc.  I find myself almost daily explaining the benefits to my clients and decided just to include an entire section of my website on it so I can reinforce it with targeted photos. It's up - but will be added to ongoing.  The more education to our homeowners the better - thanks for the tips.

12:29pm • #11
AUG
30
159,193 Points Outside Blog

I love the paint colors you have recommended. These are some of my favorites Kathy. Great post!

12:21am • #12
178,749 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Karen ~ I hate having to remove wallpaper myself, so you can be sure that I will not be looking to move into a new house that has wallpaper that has to be removed.  Of course, I could pay someone but then I'd have that thought in my head when making an offer - which would not be in the seller's favor.

That's a good idea, Kym! Maybe even including something like that with the consult will get seller's thinking.  The pictures definitely reinforce it.

Thanks, Cathy!  They have become some of my favorites as well after looking at them for my own house.

 

8:45am • #13
Outside Blog

Really good points, stated perfectly! I agree with everything, especially the wallpaper borders. Sellers think it's not a big deal for buyers to remove, but they don't realize how dated it's making the house look. And if it's not that big of a deal, why aren't they doing it?

2:09pm • #14

Hi Kathy, Wow you covered a lot in 90 seconds, spot on advice as usual my friend! I must admit I've recommended those SW colors too!

3:39pm • #15

I forgot to add, it's the hassle factor people see when they view the wallpaper, borders and off-putting color. Most buyers want turn-key ready!

3:41pm • #16
178,749 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Cathy ~ Thank you! These are the things I'm seeing and I'm not even seriously looking yet.

Hi Cynthia ~ Thank you! Yes, it is a hassle factor and I, for one, don't want that hassle.  I've already dealt with removing wallpaper in my house.  You're also right that buyer's want turn-key ready - I'm downsizing, I've redone two house already and I'm not looking to redo a third.

3:51pm • #17
147,736 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Your final thought says it all quite succinctly..."As much as you may not want to do these things to prepare your home, a buyer is not going to want to do them either.  Nobody wants to have to tackle repainting over a dark color or removing rooms filled with wallpaper.  Make the time and effort to do these things prior to listing your home - it will make it more appealing to a larger number of prospective buyers.  That is the goal after all."  

And this is the second post today that I've read that says absolutely NO red paint.  Whew...thank you, as a Realtor I couldn't agree more. 

10:54pm • #18
AUG
31
178,749 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thank you, Terrylynn!  It's true though - it is a job to paint over (it was probably a job to get it painted red in the first place).  Better you use up a weekend repainting or removing wallpaper than having to lower your price because of it.

11:15am • #19
SEP
01
Outside Blog

Great advice Kathy when selling your home.  Sometimes a hard sell to home owners, but well worth the effort!  The majority of the buyers seem to want turn key properties.

5:34am • #20
178,749 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Michele ~ Thank you! Yes, I am one of the majority of buyers that wants turn key, but I am not against painting in a house we buy - just not painting over red or a color just as dark.

12:29pm • #21
SEP
02
3 Featured Posts

Aloha Kathy,

Congrats on the interview and well said to boot. When sellersl oath to remove wall paper and neutralize the reds and darks, usually buyers do too.

Peace,

7:17pm • #22
199,620 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Kathy...Thanks for sharing your favorite paint colors.  Our house is in need of some paint although I don't know when we'll get around to doing it, so your suggestion will come in handy someday.

One color that we used in our house, when we had it built, was Benjamin Moore "Opal".  We still find the color appealing.

Kate

9:47pm • #23
SEP
03
178,749 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Aloha Kimo ~ Thank you! The topic actually came about because of what I was seeing on our MLS.  I couldn't believe all the red rooms I was seeing! 

Hi Kate ~ I'm glad you find the paint suggestions helpful.  While they are neutrals, I would rather buy a house with neutral paint and have time to decide on what color I want to paint.  

8:09am • #24
SEP
21

Great info in such a short amount of time Kathy!  Another testament to the pro you are!  I did a consult the other day and the homeowners has one red wall. I suggested that they paint it and it looks like fabulous.  I personally love red and have had it in my home, but wouldn't try selling it that way.  Hope you are enjoying the buying process - it should be more fun than the getting ready to sell process!

7:10am • #25
OCT
16
475,958 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Paint colors should be chosen to appeal to the widest audience when selling, so I believe you're right on with this!

You DID say a lot in 90 seconds.

I've never heard a buyers say, "I love that wallpaper".  It can stay.

On the other hand I have had many buyers fall in love with certain borders.

6:38am • #26
OCT
21
472,758 Points 76 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Kathy!  I found this post searching for something else and wanted to say that you hit the nail on the head--if the seller doesn't want to do it, what makes them think that a buyer would want to?--ESPECIALLY in this market!  Thanks for the great post!

9:40pm • #27
OCT
22
178,749 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Sheila ~ Sorry for the delay in responding.  Thank you! Glad to hear they painted ~ they can always bring some red in with accessories {which I think is a good compromise}.

Hi Judi ~ Thanks for coming by and for your comment.  Yes, I think someone liking the same wallpaper as you would be rare.

Thanks, Debe! Glad you found the post ~ even by accident! : )

 

8:04am • #28
DEC
29
240,645 Points 30 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Kathy !! Havent see you round here in a while, but wanted to say Happy New Year, and that I hope you had a great Holiday Season with your family :o)

Cheers !

Sheldon

1:50pm • #29

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Kathy Passarette, L.I. Staging/Decorating

Mount Sinai, NY

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Creative Home Expressions

Office Phone: (631) 987-3097

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