There are numerous factors that impact a buyer’s decision to make an offer on a home. One of those is color—a feature that may be positively or negatively received by buyers.
A recent Zillow Digs® analysis found that listings with kitchens painted soft shades of yellow sold for $1,360 more than anticipated. Generally, listings with rooms painted in earthy hues garnered up to $1,300 more than expected at sale, according to the analysis.
Colors to avoid, the analysis found, include slate gray, terracotta, and—contrary to popular belief—white. Generally, listings with rooms painted in dark or white shades sold below expectations.
Specific findings include:
Wheat Yellow Kitchen – $1,360 more
Eggshell/Off-White Kitchen – $82 less
Beige/Oatmeal Bathroom – $283 more
Dark Brown Bathroom – $469 less
Eggplant/Lavender/Mauve Dining Room – $1,122 more
Slate Gray Dining Room – $1,112 less
Dove/Light Gray Living Room – $1,104 more
Terracotta Living Room – $793 less
Khaki/Light Green Bedroom – $1,332 more
Dark Brown Bedroom – $236 less
“A fresh coat of paint is an easy and affordable way to improve a home’s appearance before listing,” said Svenja Gudell, Zillow’s chief economist, in a statement. “However, to get the biggest bang for your buck, stick with colors that have mass appeal so you attract as many potential buyers to your listing as possible. Warm neutrals like yellow or light gray are stylish and clean, signaling that the home is well cared for, or that previous owners had an eye for design that may translate to other areas within the house.”
The analysis assessed approximately 50,000 sold homes from across the nation.
Source: Zillow
