Use the Psychology of Color to Help Sell Your Home

As a home seller, you want to do everything you can to ensure that your home stands out in the crowd and appeals to potential buyers. One way to achieve this is by using the psychology of color to your advantage. The colors you choose for your home can have a significant impact on buyers, influencing their emotions and decision-making process.

Paint is a relatively affordable and easy change, yet it has a huge impact on a buyer’s perception of the home. Although it is a relatively affordable and easy change, I have found if a buyer feels the home needs painting, whether the walls are scuffed from normal wear and tear or they just don’t like the color, a home buyer will automatically start negotiating the price due to the expense they feel they will need to incur to re-paint the home.  As a home seller, the right paint colors could put money in your pocket. The wrong ones, however, could cost you.

According to studies, out of the top three color preferences for men and women, blue and green are popular for both genders. They also share brown and orange as their least favorite colors.  Although men and women favor the same color, they show marked differences in their preferences and dislike of colors.  Men prefer blue, red, and black and dislike brown, orange, and purple. Women favor blue, purple, and red and their least favorite colors are orange, brown, and gray. If you're targeting a specific gender, incorporating colors that appeal to that demographic can help increase your chances of a successful sale.

Subdued or Bold?

It's fairly obvious that since the color blue is favored by both genders you may want to work some blue into your staging scheme. Especially since we live in southwest Florida, buyers tend to gravitate toward the coastal colors. But, should you use a bold blue or a pastel? Men and women differ in their hue preferences as well. While men prefer bright, bold colors, women like the softer shade of their favorite colors. 

When it comes to room colors, it's essential to consider the function of the space. For example, the bedroom is a place for relaxation and rest, so muted tones like lavender, gray, and pale green can create a soothing and serene environment. In contrast, the kitchen is a place for energy and productivity, so bold and vibrant colors like red, blue, and yellow can help stimulate the appetite and creativity.

When choosing the best paint colors for selling a house, keep in mind that a potential buyer needs to be able to imagine their furniture and décor in your home, and if your home is painted in highly personal hues it will likely be more challenging for them to do that. The home will feel like it belongs to you, not them. Bright, eccentric colors may be fun, but having them appear in your listing photos may deter some buyers and potentially narrow the pool of interested parties in your home. 

The exterior colors of your home are equally important in creating a good first impression and drawing in potential buyers. Neutral shades like beige, cream, or light gray are classic and timeless and can appeal to a wide variety of tastes. 

In conclusion, understanding the psychology of color can help you sell your home more effectively.  Applying a new coat of paint gives your home a fresh and updated look for potential buyers, making your home feel more appealing and updated.  If you plan on painting yourself, please make sure to properly cut in ceilings when painting a room, and don't forget to paint the doors and trim. Often times less than desirable finishes and the quality of the work can be just as detrimental as not painting because the buyer will realize the need to hire a contractor to come in and make the fixes so they will incorporate that expense into their offer price.  A fresh coat of paint, particularly in the right color, and done right, can deliver a powerful signal to potential buyers that a home is well-maintained and contemporary.