Study shows blues and grays are the way to go for interiors and doors; ‘greige’ for exteriors

I just read an article in Inman with interesting details about a new study that shows how the right paint color can make a big difference in your final sale price. According to Zillow‘s 2017 Paint Color Analysis study, a $50 can of blue paint can result in a huge return on investment for homeowners.
“Color can be a powerful tool for attracting buyers to a home, especially in listing photos and videos,” said Zillow chief economist Svenja Gudell. “Painting walls in fresh, natural-looking colors, particularly in shades of blue and pale gray not only make a home feel larger, but also are neutral enough to help future buyers envision themselves living in the space. Incorporating light blue in kitchens and bathrooms may pay off especially well as the color complements white countertops and cabinets: a growing trend in both rooms.”
Powder blue or periwinkle bathrooms
The study shows how homes with bathrooms painted in a powder blue or periwinkle shade sold for an average of $5,400 more than those with bathrooms painted in other colors. That’s the highest sales premium of all colors analyzed.
Neutral exterior colors
When it comes to a home’s exterior, neutral tones, such as ‘greige,’ sold for $3,496 more than comparable homes in a different color. On top of that, homes with front doors painted in shades of dark navy blue to slate gray sold for an extra $1,514.
Here’s a chart showing how specific room color can mean money in your pocket:

What buyers don’t like
On the other hand, buyers seem to be put off by style-specific features such as terra cotta walls, which resulted in a $2,031 dip in sales prices. But even more than that, prospective owners seem to hate white walls: Homes that had no color whatsoever sold for an average of $4,035 less.
If you are considering listing your luxury home in Montecito, Hope Ranch or any of Santa Barbara’s upscale communities, keep in mind, color can make a big difference in your final sales price. I’d be happy to share my knowledge of what buyers are looking for today and add your home to my portfolio. Please call me at 805.886.9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com.