Special offer

We Can't Please 100% of The People 100% of The Time!

By
Real Estate Agent with Your Home Free

I often feel bad for families that have poured their heart, soul and creativity into a room or certain rooms that scream "This is my home!" and then we talk about making it more "neutral" before listing the home.

I don't know what it is about being pregnant that spurs up the need to paint but it does.  Before moving my daughter upstairs into her "big girl bedroom", I went to town.  I was six months pregnant, it was hot in the summer and I spent many days and nights measuring, painting with a super small paint brush to get this room absolutely perfect. 

Pinkie's Palace

I didn't stop there.  I had to transform my daughter's nursery downstairs into a little's boys room.  That was a whole lotta work too and again, days and nights were spent making everything absolutely perfect.

Little Boy Blue

I am sometimes torn on people neutralizing spaces that may be exactly what a buyer may be looking for.  We've all heard feedback from people, whether it's buyers or listing agents, indicating displeasure on things like dull, neutral colors on the walls or the new carpet color selection.  We can't please 100% of the buyers 100% of the time but we can strive to appeal to the masses.  

There are more times than not that I will go into homes with buyers that have a specialized or gender-specific room and they think it's the best thing since sliced bread.  "This room is perfect for our youngest.  She really wanted a purple and pink polka-dot room".  

Unless it is really offensive or terribly done, I more often than not side with leaving their hard work painted on the walls. They, do in fact, still live in their home and what if they decide not to sell or take that job in Ohio?  Then they are stuck with boring beige!  A quality agent, in my opinion, will reiterate to buyers that paint is one of the easiest solutions if you don't like it.  

Knowing that I poured my pregnant-nesting soul into these rooms, I realize that one day, my older and more mature daughter will want something else.  Then I will change it but until then, she's stuck!

 

Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Tricia,  I understand your premise but sometimes the color scheme or pattern is so extreme that the chances of it being seen as a benefit are truly minuscule !

Feb 19, 2011 03:01 AM
Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

I agree,,,,unless it is really really obnoxious I don't have them paint it...there are some homes that need complete paint jobs...but a lot only need  a room or two repainted!!!!

Feb 19, 2011 03:13 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Kids should not live in egg shell off white plain jane bedrooms that are sanitize for colors that go down easy. It's only paint but important they feel like it is there own special cocoon growing up. A house is a house, sticks and bricks. But a family makes it a home!

Feb 19, 2011 03:26 AM
Tricia Hoffmann
Your Home Free - Highland Village, TX

Bill, very true and if that is the case, I will put up a sign that says "Seller will repaint" or something to that effect.

Deborah, I was in a house a few days ago in the 800K price range and the WHOLE house was mustard yellow.  It was ugly and my buyers didn't like it either but also saw that they could change it.

Andrew, wow, what a perspective!!!  You should copyright that and put it on a plaque or something and sell it!

Feb 19, 2011 03:42 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Hi Tricia~ Most times I tell my sellers to leave it as it is unless we get a lot of negative feedback.

Feb 19, 2011 05:00 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Wow Tricia. All that hardwork is recognized for sure!!! I'm a huge Football Sooner fan. I had one side of the wall painted to a football field (replica of the field). When I listed the house, the painter repainted it. I could see my 3weeks of hardwork gone in 2 hours. I still feel the pain.

Feb 19, 2011 06:48 AM
Tricia Hoffmann
Your Home Free - Highland Village, TX

Donna-I am the same way.  I had a listing with a girl's bedroom that was hot pink and neon orange stripes.  We definitely put a sign that said "Seller will repaint" because it was distracting and oh so bright!  We still got feedback after the sign was up.

Loreena-Oh, that is heartache!  I am sure there are plenty of Longhorn fans that were happy to see that go :)

Feb 19, 2011 11:03 AM
Jason M. Keith
Caliber Home Loans - Parker, CO
Equal Housing Lender

Certainly puts you in a difficult situation.  I guess I don't really understand the logic of NOT wanting to buy the house because of the way a certain room is painted.  I guess that happens though?

Feb 19, 2011 11:06 AM
Matt Grohe
RE/MAX Concepts - Des Moines, IA
Serving the metro since 2003

Ricia: Neutralizing a paint job is pretty striaghtforward. Neutralizing a dated trim package takes a lot more work.

Feb 19, 2011 03:55 PM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

I think it does depend on the colors and the pattern...but wallpaper?  That is GOT TO GO!

Feb 19, 2011 11:42 PM
Tricia Hoffmann
Your Home Free - Highland Village, TX

Jason-I have also never understood not buying a house because of paint color.  Brick color, yes, but not paint.  

Matt-Ooh, yes that is a tough nut to crack!

Kathryn-Hate me some wallpaper too!  I don't know many people that like it.  I have seen some that doesn't offend me but 90% of the time, it is hideous!

Feb 20, 2011 01:31 AM