Discover the top exterior paint colors that can increase your home’s value by up to 7%. Expert tips from Leggett and Sons Painting on choosing value-adding colors.
The Right Paint Color Can Make (or Break) Your Home's Value
Hey there! Leggett and Sons Painting here. You know our motto – “We Paint So You Don’t Have To” – but today, I’m not just gonna paint your house; I’m gonna help you make money with paint. No kidding! After 20 years of painting homes across the region, I’ve seen firsthand how the right exterior color can seriously boost a home’s value.
The Numbers Don't Lie: Color's Impact on Home Value
Let me drop some real knowledge on you. According to Zillow’s latest research, homes with the right exterior colors can sell for up to 7% more than expected. That’s about $21,000 on a $300,000 house – not too shabby for a paint job, right? But here’s the catch – you gotta pick the right colors.
Top Value-Adding Exterior Colors for 2024
1. Greige is the New Beige
Listen, I used to roll my eyes at the word “greige,” but this gray-beige combo has consistently gotten my clients top dollar. Benjamin Moore’s “Revere Pewter HC-172” is my go-to. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of exterior colors – it just works with everything.
2. Sophisticated Whites
Y’all wouldn’t believe how many shades of white exist. But here’s the secret sauce – Sherwin-Williams “Alabaster SW 7008” is what I call the “money white.” It’s warm enough to avoid looking sterile but clean enough to photograph beautifully for listings.
3. Deep Blue Magic
I recently painted a Colonial-style home in Naval SW 6244, and the realtor called me a week later saying they got three offers above asking. Deep blues, when done right, photographs like a dream and stands out on real estate listings.
Pro Tips for Color Selection
- Always, and I mean ALWAYS, test your colors. At Leggett and Sons Painting, we paint 3×3 foot samples on different sides of the house. That $50 in samples can save you thousands in regret.
- Consider your fixed elements. Got a brick foundation? Red roof? These aren’t changing, so your color needs to play nice with them.
- Think about your neighborhood. The highest-value homes typically aren’t the wildest colored ones on the block. You want to stand out subtly, not stick out like a sore thumb.
Colors to Avoid (Trust Me on This One)
I’ve seen some choices that had real estate agents cringing. Bright purples, neon anything, or super trendy colors might look cool on Pinterest, but they’re basically value-killers. One client insisted on a bright orange that probably cost them $15K at sale time. Don’t be that person.
The Magic Formula for Exterior Color Schemes
Here’s my tried-and-true formula that’s never let me down:
- Main Color: 60% of the exterior (stick to neutrals)
- Accent Color: 30% (trim, shutters)
- Pop Color: 10% (front door, architectural details)
Investment Returns by Color Choice
Based on our company’s data from recent projects:
- Neutral grays/greiges: 5-7% value increase
- Classic whites: 4-6% value increase
- Navy blues: 3-5% value increase
- Bold/unusual colors: -5% to -10% impact
Final Thoughts
Look, at Leggett and Sons Painting, we’ve painted hundreds of homes, and I can tell you that color choice isn’t just about personal preference anymore – it’s an investment decision. The right exterior color can literally pay for itself (and then some) when you sell. Remember, we’re not just painting houses; we’re creating curb appeal that converts to cold, hard cash.
Need help picking the perfect value-adding color for your home? Give us a shout – after all, “We Paint So You Don’t Have To,” and we’d love to help you make the most profitable choice for your property.