Late Saturday I received an email from my long distance client - trying to get his home ready, via Oregon, to go up for sale. I know this client well, and we all go out to dinner and small trips whenever they are in town.
Recently, the owner spent a month in Tucson, tiling and painting and fixing plumbing on an investment property he'd purchased. All manner of repairs. Upon leaving, he asked if I could help with communication in getting the finishing touches completed for curbside appeal. (paint, fence, landscaping)
My distance client likes bright, bold paint. In fact, he painted his last home purchased for his brother a vivid golden-copper color with bright turquoise trim. WELL! Everyone certainly knew that home was remodeled!
Actually, in some parts of Tucson, bold colors are an enjoyable part of the Old Pueblo flavor. (You just won't see that in the outlying, HOA communities where everything is color-coordinated!)
(house in Puyallup, WA, my hometown)
So back to the email. It seems the painter and owner have come to a standstill over paint colors. A painter I refer often.
In one corner - the professional that wants to paint a version of beige and browns in a pleasing color for resale.
In the other corner, my proud, opinionated, not terribly color-iffic owner requesting pizazz, boldness, something "different".
Enter...the Real Estate agent referee...
I'm being asked to choose colors somewhere between the two standoffs.
Here's a quick and furious rundown of the email exchange that took place between homeowner/contractor and Tucson Professional Painter:
"BORING" (said the contractor)
"I WON'T paint the house in your color choices" (said the painter, with no explanation)
"Carrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" (cries my client...)
Oh boy. I spent some time on MLS copying photos and sending him commonalities in brick house paint schemes here in Tucson, as well as a few bolder choices in trim and foundation. I explained that out of 300 photos of brick homes, most of which were natural brick, the prevalent color was some form of beige....
...Back in the ring tomorrow.
Frankly, I'm a bit amazed at what's transpiring here. What would YOU do???
Should the painter do the job as the owner wants, despite his professional opinion? Should he walk, and forego a job he'd like to be paid for?
Should the homeowner/contractor compromise on his own color scheme? (Which by the way, is a coppery brown with darker trim motiff)
Should the agent refuse to get in the middle of it??
(Do realize I'm being a bit tongue in cheek here, but I certainly don't want this to escalate into a dirty paint fight!)
Again, please, share your opinions!
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