At one point or another, someone’s probably told you: “never judge a book by its cover.” Clearly, this person has never tried to put a house on the market. We get it; you’ve been holed up in your apartment for over a year, and as things gradually reopen, you need a fresh start (preferably somewhere that doesn’t give you pandemic PTSD.) Unfortunately, high-tailing it out of your quarantine-ridden home is easier said than done.
Right now, the demand for homes exceeds supply, thanks to a collective urge to explore new places, increased ability for some to work remotely and—most of all—low interest rates. That means it’s a seller’s market, allowing you to snag more money for your space, particularly if you live in the suburbs surrounding a major city (homes in Midwestern metro areas are up 10 percent year over year, for example). But it also means buying a new home comes at a steeper cost. So, if you’re looking to move, you might as well do everything you can to get the best offer you can.
Which brings us to our point: When it comes to selling your home, curb appeal is the best way to give your listing a competitive edge. Not to mention that when Chip Gaines says that the best, best place to invest in a home’s value is the exterior paint job, you abide. So what colors should you choose? Right now, the hottest shades follow two particular paint trends: soft neutrals and nature-inspired tones.
