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Real Appeal

Decorating to Sell Your Home

By Sarah Van Arsdale

"No buyer wants to pick up where the seller left off," Wildowsky says. "It's too complicated and time consuming. So if a seller starts the project, the seller should plan to complete the project before selling."

Likewise, when thinking about wall color, consider the huge range of tastes of your potential buyers, and don't risk putting off a more conservative buyer by painting the walls in wildly bright colors. Also bear in mind that any room that doesn't get enough sun will benefit from a light wall color. It doesn't have to be painted a harsh, pure white, but a pale yellow or pleasant, light beige will help make a room appear to have more light.

"Dark colors will often make the room look smaller, and it may be harder for the buyer to imagine their furniture and personal property in that space," Orth says. Campell says he advises sellers to "neutralize and brighten."

"Natural light is often in short supply in Manhattan, and for many buyers, it is key as to whether or not they'll even look at a space," Wildowsky says. "We have an apartment on the market now that originally had dark blue walls. With a wall of windows facing only one direction, the blue darkened the far end of the space, which is where the entrance to the apartment is located. When you first entered the apartment it was a bit of a 'downer.' A fresh coat of off-white paint now gives the apartment a 'lift' when you open the door."

All three experts agreed that lighter, neutral colors work bes

"Do not risk losing one buyer to gain another by choosing personal colors for the future buyer," Campbell says. "The buyer wants to pre-visualize their own colors or furnishings, and a "blank canvas" is best for this. If the current d袯r is light and pleasant, it is not necessary to repaint."

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