| Increasing the value of your home can be a | | | | neighborhood. It is also considerate to think |
| complicated affair, with renovations, curb | | | | about your neighbors in case they themselves |
| appeal, and general repairs all eating away | | | | plan on selling in the future. You not only |
| at your time and budget. One of the simplest | | | | don't want to lower your property value, but |
| measures you can take to increase your | | | | you also don't want to take the whole |
| property value is to give the exterior of | | | | neighborhood down with you. |
| your home a fresh coat of paint. | | | | |
| | | | Roofing materials also have a color, so |
| Chipped and faded siding gives buyers the | | | | consider this in your plans. Work with what |
| impression that your house is old and poorly | | | | is already there in terms of style, age, and |
| maintained. After all, if you don't care | | | | colors. |
| enough to make the outside look its best, | | | | |
| then what other things have you let fall into | | | | Another question to ask yourself is: how many |
| disrepair? | | | | colors will I use? For more intricately |
| | | | designed homes, having a few complementary |
| You want potential buyers to drive by your | | | | colors can really highlight architectural |
| house and take notice. A quality paint job | | | | detail, and give your home a sophisticated |
| can do just that. Be sure however, that you | | | | look. Using multiple colors on a plainly |
| choose the right colors, or else buyers will | | | | designed home, however, overwhelms the |
| take notice for all the wrong reasons. | | | | structure and looks ill-placed. |
| | | | |
| So where do you start? One place is the | | | | As far as shades go, the darker the color, |
| inside of your home. While it isn't necessary | | | | the smaller the home will look. It will also |
| to match the interior decor with the outside, | | | | fade much quicker and therefore be more |
| it is a good idea to use complementary colors | | | | difficult to touch up at a later date. Dark |
| to ensure a feeling of harmony from the | | | | colors also retain heat, so think about what |
| inside out. | | | | kind of weather conditions you will be |
| | | | dealing with. On the positive side, dark hues |
| Look at your architecture. The structural | | | | can look very refined and elegant. |
| design of your home will have a huge impact | | | | |
| on whether colors look chic or tacky. You | | | | Lighter shades will make your home appear |
| want to enhance architectural features, not | | | | larger, and will reflect heat. Unfortunately, |
| overpower them, so be sure to take the style | | | | any marks and stains on the house will be |
| of your home into account before painting. | | | | much easier to spot than on a dark colored |
| | | | home. |
| It is also wise to take a look at the | | | | |
| neighborhood you live in. Are the houses | | | | No matter what color you choose for your |
| painted with neutral colors like beige and | | | | exterior house paint, your home will look |
| gray? If so, then painting your home magenta | | | | brighter and ten years younger with a fresh |
| will do more than make your home stand out; | | | | coat on its siding. It really is the easiest |
| your house will look garishly out of place. | | | | and most cost effective way to improve the |
| While kitschy businesses can get away with | | | | look of your home, as well as increase your |
| bright, crazy colors, the average homeowner | | | | property value. |
| cannot, unless it works with the rest of the | | | | |