What House Color Sells At The Highest Listing Price?

When it comes to selling your home, every detail counts. From staging the interior to sprucing up the landscaping, homeowners pull out all the stops to maximize their property's appeal. But there's one factor that can make a significant difference before potential buyers even step foot inside: the color of your house's exterior. It's the first thing people see, and as we all know, first impressions matter – especially in real estate.

But here's the million-dollar question (sometimes literally): What house color sells at the highest listing price? Is there a magic hue that can add thousands to your home's value? Let's dive into the colorful world of exterior paint and its impact on home sales.

The Power of Color in Real Estate

Before we reveal the top-performing colors, it's crucial to understand why exterior color matters so much in the real estate market. Color psychology plays a significant role in how we perceive and value things, including houses. The right color can evoke feelings of warmth, luxury, or modernity, while the wrong one might turn potential buyers away before they even schedule a viewing.

A study by Zillow, a leading real estate marketplace, found that the exterior color of a house can impact its sale price by as much as $6,000. That's a substantial amount considering the relatively low cost of repainting compared to other home improvements. But it's not just about slapping on any trendy color; the key is to choose a hue that appeals to the broadest range of buyers in your specific market.

Top-Performing Exterior Colors

Now, let's get to the heart of the matter. While color preferences can vary by region and housing style, some colors consistently perform well across the board. Here are the top contenders:

Greige (Gray + Beige)

Topping the list is "greige," a sophisticated blend of gray and beige. This neutral color has been a favorite among home buyers for several years, and for good reason. It's modern yet timeless, offering a clean and fresh look that appeals to a wide range of tastes. Carl Fanaro, Owner, NOLA Buys Houses said: "Homes painted in greige have been known to sell for as much as $3,496 more than similar homes in brown or tan."

Light Gray

Close behind greige is light gray. This color offers a sleek, contemporary look that can make a house appear larger and more elegant. Amber Couron, Owner, Home Buying Hounds said: "Light gray homes have sold for about $1,526 more than homes painted in other colors."

Blue

Blue, particularly in softer shades, is another strong performer. Zillow's study found that homes with light blue or periwinkle exteriors sold for an average of $1,449 more than expected. Liz Hutz, CEO, Liz Buys Houses said "Blue is associated with calmness and trust, making it an appealing choice for many buyers."

White

Classic white never goes out of style. A crisp, clean white exterior can make a home look larger, brighter, and more inviting. Shannon Beatty, Owner, House Buying Girls said "While white may not always fetch the highest premiums, white is a safe choice that rarely detracts from a home's value.

Taupe

Taupe, a grayish-brown color, is another neutral that performs well. It's warm enough to be inviting but neutral enough to appeal to a broad audience. Catherine Mack, Owner, House Buyer Network said "Homes in taupe or light brown have sold for about $1,400 more than expected."

Colors to Avoid

While certain colors can boost your home's value, others can have the opposite effect. Here are some colors that might lower your listing price.

Bright Yellow:

Too intense for most buyers' tastes. Zillow research found homes with bright yellow exteriors sold for about $3,408 less than expected. Jeremy Resmer, CEO, Value Land Buyers said "A softer, more muted yellow might be more appealing."

Dark Brown:

Can make a property look smaller or older. Dark colors absorb light, potentially making the house appear to recede visually. Jessica Henderson, Owner, Sell My House Fast Houston TX said "Dark Brown might also give an impression of heaviness or lack of updates."

Slate Gray:

While light gray is popular, dark slate gray can appear unwelcoming. Garret Lamb, Owner, We Buy Houses Fast N Texas said "In some climates, it might blend with gloomy weather, creating a perpetually dreary look that doesn't appeal to most buyers."

Bright Green or Orange:

These bold colors are very taste-specific and can limit your pool of potential buyers. Harpreet Saini, CEO, We Buy Houses Metro Detroit said "They might distract from the home's features and could clash with the neighborhood aesthetic."

Regional Variations

It's important to note that color preferences can vary significantly by region. What sells well in a beach town in Florida might not perform as well in a suburban area of the Midwest. Here are some regional trends to consider:

Northeast: Traditional colors like white, gray, and blue perform well in this region known for its colonial and Cape Cod-style homes.

Southeast: Warm, inviting colors like beige, light yellow, and pale blue are popular in this region's hot climate.

Midwest: Neutral colors dominate in the Midwest, with greige, taupe, and light gray being top choices.

Southwest: Earth tones that blend with the natural landscape, such as warm beige and light brown, are favored.

West Coast: Modern colors like white, gray, and blue are popular, especially in urban areas.

Considerations Beyond Color

While color is important, it's not the only factor that influences a home's exterior appeal and, subsequently, its listing price. Here are other elements to consider:

Architectural Style: The color should complement your home's architectural style. For instance, a color that looks great on a modern minimalist house might not work as well on a Victorian-style home.

Neighborhood Context: Your house shouldn't stick out like a sore thumb in your neighborhood. While you don't need to match your neighbors exactly, your color choice should harmonize with the overall look of the area.

Trim and Accents: The main color isn't the only consideration. The colors you choose for trim, shutters, and doors can also impact your home's overall appeal.

Quality of Paint Job: Even the perfect color won't help if the paint job is sloppy or showing signs of wear. A fresh, well-executed paint job is crucial.

Landscaping: The most appealing exterior color can be undermined by poor landscaping. Ensure your yard complements your house color.

Roof Color: Your roof color should harmonize with your exterior walls. This is especially important if you have a roof with a steep pitch that's highly visible from the street.

The Process of Choosing the Right Color

Now that we've covered the top-performing colors and important considerations, let's talk about how to choose the right color for your home:

Research Your Market: Look at recently sold homes in your area. What colors seem to be popular? This can give you a good idea of local preferences.

Consider Your Home's Style: Different architectural styles lend themselves to different color palettes. Research colors that traditionally work well with your home's style.

Use Visualization Tools: Many paint companies offer online tools where you can upload a photo of your house and digitally "paint" it different colors. This can help you visualize how different colors will look.

Test Samples: Once you've narrowed down your choices, buy small cans of paint and test them on an inconspicuous area of your house. Look at them at different times of day to see how they appear in various lighting conditions.

Consult Professionals: If you're still unsure, consider consulting a color specialist or a real estate professional. They can provide valuable insights based on current market trends and buyer preferences.

The ROI of Exterior Painting

Painting your home's exterior is generally considered a high-ROI (Return on Investment) project. According to the 2020 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling Magazine, exterior painting has an average ROI of 107%. This means that not only do you recoup the cost of painting, but you can also potentially add value to your home.

However, it's important to note that this ROI can vary depending on factors such as: The current condition of your home's exterior, the quality of the paint and the paint job, the color you choose, your local real estate market and more.

Beyond Resale: Living with Your Color Choice

While it's important to consider resale value when choosing an exterior color, remember that you're the one who has to live with the choice until you sell. If you're not planning to sell in the immediate future, it's okay to prioritize your personal preferences to some extent.

A good compromise is to choose a neutral color for the main exterior and express your personal style through accent colors on doors, shutters, or trim. These elements are easier and less expensive to change when it comes time to sell.

The Bottom Line

So, what house color sells at the highest listing price? While greige, light gray, and soft blue consistently perform well across different markets, the truth is that there's no one-size-fits-all answer. The best color for your home will depend on various factors including your local market, your home's architecture, and your neighborhood context.

The key takeaway is that color matters. A thoughtfully chosen exterior color can indeed boost your home's curb appeal and potentially its selling price. On the flip side, the wrong color choice could leave money on the table.

If you're planning to sell your home in the near future, investing in a fresh coat of paint in a market-appropriate color could be a smart move. It's a relatively inexpensive upgrade that can yield significant returns. Just remember to do your research, consider your specific context, and when in doubt, lean towards neutral, broadly appealing colors.

Ultimately, while the right color can help sell your home for a higher price, it's just one piece of the puzzle. A well-maintained home in a desirable location will always be attractive to buyers, regardless of its color. But why not give yourself every advantage? Choose your colors wisely, and you might just paint your way to a higher selling price.