Today I am joined with a paint and design industry expert who will be sharing some paint tips and trends to get your home sold.

Before putting the property on the market, it is best to paint the interior of the home. What colors would you recommend to attract buyers? Anything neutral is the safest option. Right now, cool whites and warm grays are the most popular neutrals. Paints with not a lot of color allow buyers to see their furniture in the house without having to use too much imagination. Popular colors include: Alabaster, Eider White, Repose Gray, & Agreeable Gray. I have not had a customer choose those colors and dislike them.

If I want to hire a painter or don’t know what color to select, where should I go to start my paint project? Paint projects can be extremely overwhelming especially with all the colors out there from the different paint companies. I would start at an actual paint store. Big box stores need to know a little bit about everything and therefore, they don’t always know as much about paint. Check out a local paint store like Sherwin Williams. You can look at their brochures going over different colors. You can ask all your questions to their employees whose sole job is to know about paint. The best part is they have a whole wall of contractor business cards. You can ask the employees for their painter recommendations and questions such as, “do you see the painter on a regular basis?” or “would you let the painter into your own home?” It gives you the reassurance that you are getting a recommendation from an employee familiar with the industry.

What questions should I ask when interviewing a painter? Always request examples of the painter’s work. If they aren’t proud of their work, you don’t want them painting your property. I always recommend you get a “Good, Better, Best” quote. This allows you to see what gets you the best bang for your buck and what might get you the best finish inside your home, but may cost a bit more. Ask questions about the painter’s crew. Are they licensed? Are they insured? Are they the ones actually doing the work in your home? You don’t want to build a relationship with a painter you feel you can trust and then find out he is sending a crew that you may not know. It is important to ask these questions ahead of time to ensure you feel the most comfortable with who is doing the work inside your home.

What painting tips and tools do you recommend for DIY homeowners? Do-it-yourself is awesome. We all watch HGTV and feel like we can be Chip and Joanna Gaines. A few things they don’t show you though is: prep work. Prep work is key. No matter how high the quality of your paint is, if you don’t have it prepped correctly, it is not going to stay on the wall. Go to the paint store and ask what you need to do. Invest in a quality roller and brush. Make sure to prime your walls. Make sure to do everything correctly before you put the paint on the walls. Prep work ensures you get the best possible result and something you can be proud of – because you did it yourself!

Thinking of selling your home?