Color Matters … If Your House is Turquoise

There are as many prognosticators, opinions, graphs and
charts which attempt to explain why a house sells or does not sell – as there
are unsold houses. I try to digest all the pertinent info that my stomach can
take, and then see how it relates to our local market, because, yes….all real
estate is local. One thing is for certain…if the exterior of your home is
Turquoise, Pink, Chartreuse (or any odd color at all) you are going to have a
tougher time unloading it than if it were a simple
Nantucket-Gray-with-White-Trim. There are several colorful examples here on the
North Fork – we’ve all driven by them. The For Sale signs have been out front
for so long, they seem part of the landscape. I’ve had occasion to get inside
most of these homes and I must say --- the interiors are more often than not, a
revelation. While the curb appeal of a Magenta house is limited – I’ve had
buyer-husbands refuse to even get out of the car – so often the interiors are
well-appointed, stylish, dream homes. Too bad that limited-appeal exterior
color is keeping buyers away.

Interior paint jobs are something a potential buyer often figures
into his move-in costs: A-no-big-deal-freshening-up-job which he can even
envision himself enjoying on weekends (ha!!!). Painting the exterior of a house
is a whole ‘nother kettle of fish. Gotta get a pro for this. Could cost
thousands. This mode of thought is also the reason the current owner/seller has
not undertaken the job himself. (Even though his last 3 realtors have suggested
it.) Meanwhile, time marches on. The exterior is now, not only
Turquoise/Magenta/Chartreuse, it’s faded and dingy, less appealing every day,
while all the Gray houses in the neighborhood have sold.

If your odd-colored home has been languishing on the market, I have a piece of advice for you: “If 3 people tell you you’re drunk, lie down.” Paint the house Gray,
White, Beige and be done with it. Take some fresh photos, market it like a new
home and SELL THE THING!!!!

I would also bet you can find a painter willing to play Let’s Make a Deal, and take half upfront and half when that “SOLD” sign goes up in front of your freshly painted Nantucket-Gray-with-White-Trim house.