Don’t Fight White!

As a professional
home stager, I frequently provide consultations for home owners who have their
home for sale or will be placing their home on the market soon. Many times, I suggest
fresh paint in the home either in several rooms or throughout the interior of
the home. Because the majority of buyers today are seeking a home that is
move-in-ready, fresh paint provides a clean, attractive backdrop that allows
buyers to not have to consider the expense of painting before making an offer. Most
sellers agree that painting may be something can accomplish or hire a painter
to take care of, because they recognize the value in my suggestion. However,
the color suggestion I frequently recommend is what meets their hesitation: a
glorious shade of neutral white.

In recent years,
the color gray has been the predominant on-trend backdrop for new construction
and homeowner repainting projects. While I personally still love the color gray
(my own home is painted Sherwin-Williams Front Porch), the new trend is white, and
it provides a, clean aesthetic that results in a fresh, modern look for buyers.
The problem I have found is that sellers who have been used to color in their
homes, resist the white suggestion because it may feel too stark and clinical
for them. While I understand that if you love color, going with a white paint
can feel like you have betrayed your own sense of style and personal taste.
However, when you choose to put your home on the market, it is necessary to
disconnect emotionally from the home, recognizing already that it will be
someone else’s and preparing in that respect.

Unfortunately, many
people associate white with the strict color of white from a crayon box. The
good news is that there are thousands of shades of white! Some of my current
favorite whites are:

Sherwin-Williams
Incredible White

Sherwin-Williams
Shoji

Benjamin Moore Silver
Satin

Benjamin Moore Dune
White

Below: Realtor Mary Buty understands the value of white walls at 281 Little Oak Drive on Folly Beach.

Above: Real Estate Agent, Suzy Kopp knows
how to get things done! She and her client see worth and importance of white
walls at 3301 Palm Ave on IOP.

 While it may contradict
your own personal preference for color, shades of white are a great choice for meeting
the demands of today’s buyers, including the millennial generation. According
to the National
Association of Realtors 2019 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends
Report, 37% of home buyers are millennials. That means over one third of the
individuals who view your property both online and in person are millennials, which
loves a clean, crisp palette. My advice is that If you are a seller
looking to put your home on the market, or if you already have your home on the
market, consider the transforming power of white when painting your interior,
understanding that there are many shades of white which choose, and a
professional may be needed to pick the right one. If you need help, contact a
local certified stager, who can help you narrow your choices to just the right
one for your home.

Lorelie Brown, Owner of Showhomes Charleston is a certified staging professional in Charleston, SC. A RESA-PRO member, an HSRA-Elite Member, and a member of IAHSP. She is passionate about the power of home staging and has staged over $300 million in real estate.