Choosing the right exterior paint color

Have you ever painted a wall in your home ... or painted a piece of furniture ... then sat and looked at it after it dried and thought, "I hate that color"?

I have.  I painted a wall in my living room a dark brown once.  Then I sat in that room for three days straight, looking at the wall at differing times of day.  Each shift in the natural light made the wall look different, and I hated all the shifting colors I saw.

Now it is one thing to paint, and then have to re-paint, one wall in a home.  It is not a huge deal and it is not a large expense.  But what happens when you paint the exterior of your home ... especially if you are wanting to sell your home ... and find that the color just isn't what you really pictured?

Not only does it mean a lot of time and money spent on a big project that you find you are not happy with, but it could also mean your home won't sell as quickly as you'd like when/if you are trying to sell (This is one good point in favor of HOA's who mandate what paint colors are allowed on the exterior of homes). 

Choosing the right paint color, in the correct shading, can help the look of your home by making it more attractive and sale-able when you need to sell.  Keeping your paint fresh and not faded will also help in resale and help to just give your home a fresh and appealing look while you live in it.  And choosing the right exterior paint color can help keep feuds down with neighbors (read HERE how one Atlanta community is seeing "red" because of the orange house I have pictured here).

So, whatever exterior paint color you are thinking about painting your home ... whether it be barney purple or pepto-bismol pink ... think twice.  And then maybe think a third time.  Will everyone else around you, or the people you will eventually try to sell to, love your color choice just as much as you do?


For more advice on how to up-date your home and make it more sale-able, contact me for my free, no obligation advice.  But be aware ... I will probably try to steer you away from the bright blues and pinks :)

LeeAnn Bell, REALTOR(R)
Serving the Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding communities real estate needs since 1998
661-309-2364
LeeAnnRealtor@yahoo.com

DRE License #01260650