When preparing a property for sale, following recommended presentation steps can make a significant difference. Among these steps are decluttering, depersonalising, and redecorating. It is essential to assess the condition of walls, ceilings, and woodwork to ensure they are in good shape.
Scuffs, fingerprints, cracks, and chipped paintwork can instantly devalue a property, giving it a neglected and worn appearance. As the saying goes, first impressions matter when potential buyers view a property. Some buyers struggle to imagine a room in different shades or are put off by bold colour schemes.
The Impact of Poor Paint Choices
According to a recent study by The Paint Shed, nearly 4 in 10 property buyers would offer less for a house based on the colour scheme alone, while almost 1 in 5 would be deterred from making an offer altogether.
Fortunately, walls with imperfections and unusual paint colours can be easily remedied with filler, sandpaper, and a fresh coat of paint. However, caution must be exercised when selecting a new colour. Reports suggest that choosing the wrong shade can devalue a property by thousands of pounds. So, which colours should be avoided? Jenny Chu, an interiors expert at Rezigo, points out that dark colours are the main culprits.
Steering Clear of Bleak or Bold Colours
Jenny advises homeowners who have embraced dark blue, dark grey, or dark green as fashion colours to repaint with lighter shades to enhance their home’s value. She also suggests looking beyond the walls and considering repainting kitchen cupboards if they are decorated using dark colours.
The Paint Shed’s survey revealed different colours that should be avoided when redecorating a property for sale. The most undesirable paint colour for homes was found to be fuchsia pink, closely followed by neon pink, yellow, and green. Black, bold red, hot orange and electric blue also made the top ten paints to avoid for a quick property sale.
Recommended Paint Colours
Interior and property experts agree that potential buyers prefer a blank canvas, allowing them to project their ideas onto the property. The survey conducted by The Paint Shed indicates that neutral colours are overwhelmingly preferred (33%), followed by earthy tones (25%).
When in doubt, you can never go wrong with classic options such as white, magnolia, or cream. If you desire some colour, opt for “hint of” or pastel shades to create light and airy interiors. While grey has gained popularity in recent years, it is a divisive colour and can feel dull if the wrong hue is used.
Breaking the Rules for Your Front Door
While the unanimous advice is to choose light and bright colours for the interior, the opposite holds true for the front door. A study by Safestyle revealed that residences with red front doors could see their value increase by approximately 36%. However, there’s good news for those who prefer not to repaint with bold reds, scarlet, crimson, or burgundy. Homes with grey front doors were found to sell for 20% above the national average, followed by black (11% above) and blue (2% above).
If you would like an unbiased opinion on how to present your property before a sale, please feel free to get in touch for professional advice.
Call us on 01273 00 99 66 or drop us an email at mcox@coxandcohomes.co.uk
