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Rehabbing & House Flipping

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Niel Kluszczynski
  • Rehabber
  • South Bend, IN
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What paint colors are you using in rehabs?

Niel Kluszczynski
  • Rehabber
  • South Bend, IN
Posted May 13 2011, 08:39

Hey guys! I tried searching for a recent forum about favorite paint colors.
I am in the process of looking for a solid tan color and light to moderate green to use in kitchens and baths, any suggestions?
In my area 2-3 colors in a home is usually ok, what experiences are you guys having and what are your favorite colors?

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Niel Kluszczynski
  • Rehabber
  • South Bend, IN
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Niel Kluszczynski
  • Rehabber
  • South Bend, IN
Replied May 13 2011, 08:42

I just noticed i may have posted this in the wrong section, i will wait and repost again later, sorry guys! This new ipad is a little fancy yet!

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J Scott
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Sarasota, FL
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J Scott
Pro Member
  • Investor
  • Sarasota, FL
ModeratorReplied May 13 2011, 09:55

I'm sure the mods will move it to the correct forum when they notice it...

Personally, we use Sherwin Williams Realist Beige (SW6078) for all our interiors.

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Niel Kluszczynski
  • Rehabber
  • South Bend, IN
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Niel Kluszczynski
  • Rehabber
  • South Bend, IN
Replied May 13 2011, 10:23

Thanks! I really like that one. Are you finding that one color throughout does just fine? Or do you put different colors in kitchens and baths?

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Aaron McGinnis#4 Contractors Contributor
  • Contractor
  • Atlanta, GA
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Aaron McGinnis#4 Contractors Contributor
  • Contractor
  • Atlanta, GA
Replied May 13 2011, 11:19

I've used (All Sherwin Williams) -

Softer tan (Bright white trim)
Macadamia (Off-white trim)
Biscuit (Bright white trim)

All ceilings are plain, boring white.

I personally would only do multiple colors if I was trying to do a mid-century modern house. And even then, I'd tread carefully.

Part of the reason for this is that painters will want to charge more for additional wall colors. They basically have to retool every time they switch colors, and it's a pain in the butt.

Also, tan is a safe color that is sure to offend nobody... if someone really wants a wall to be more colorful, they can paint it themselves. As it is, no-one will be un-sold by a basic, un-provocative tan wall.

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Mark Yuschak
  • Residential Real Estate Broker
  • Grand Blanc, MI
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Mark Yuschak
  • Residential Real Estate Broker
  • Grand Blanc, MI
Replied May 13 2011, 11:23

I use all Sherwin Williams paint too. I don't make various rooms different colors. The whole house gets the same color (except I paint basements one shade lighter).

Here they are:

Main living area (1st and 2nd floors): Totally Tan SW6115 in Eggshell SherScrub
Basement: Bagel SW6114 in Eggshell SherScrub
Ceilings: Navajo White SW6126 in Flat SherScrub
Trim and Doors: Creamy SW7012 in Semi-gloss Promar or Duration

I've been using these colors consistently on all my flips and get rave reviews. Personally, I don't care for the colors since they're too brown. But, it's not really what I think...it's what gets results and gets my properties sold immediately!

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Jason Davis
  • Rehabber
  • Powhatan, VA
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Jason Davis
  • Rehabber
  • Powhatan, VA
Replied May 13 2011, 11:32

What are you paying for Sherwin Williams?

I use ProMar 2000 flat and am paying $9.50 a gallon.

I use one of contractors accounts to get that price. I was thinking about talking to my sales rep about group pricing and see why we could do.

What are you paying?

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Aaron McGinnis#4 Contractors Contributor
  • Contractor
  • Atlanta, GA
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Aaron McGinnis#4 Contractors Contributor
  • Contractor
  • Atlanta, GA
Replied May 13 2011, 11:37

My painter uses DUron masterpiece and superpaint. I believe he pays about $18/gal.

And yes... I let my painter get the paint. He gets a much better discount at SW than I do.

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Mark Yuschak
  • Residential Real Estate Broker
  • Grand Blanc, MI
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Mark Yuschak
  • Residential Real Estate Broker
  • Grand Blanc, MI
Replied May 13 2011, 12:01

I pay $12.71 a gallon for SherScrub and the same price as you for ProMar 200, $9.51 a gallon. Sounds like we're getting the same contractor pricing.

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Anthony Lewis
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Snellville, GA
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Anthony Lewis
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Snellville, GA
Replied May 13 2011, 12:33

do you find using sherman that you have to make more than one coat. I enjoy home depot 2 in 1 it only takes one coat but is 18 a gallon if you are a builder and get 5 gallons at a time.
When I was buying houses
I read online t6hat if you paint a door yellow or blue it helps your sales so I got a dark crazy blue and in atl its funny every one knows what houses I have remodeled and it actually help me sell all my houses in under 6 months. Tacky yes they say but it sure gets attention. I id it to a historic house in grant park and had to go to court but told them it was my trade mark and they let me slide.

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Ryan Pyle
  • Multifamily Investor
  • Toledo, OH
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Ryan Pyle
  • Multifamily Investor
  • Toledo, OH
Replied May 13 2011, 20:56

Sherwin Williams Softer Tan throughout.

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Roy H.
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Monclova, OH
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Roy H.
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Monclova, OH
Replied May 13 2011, 21:07

Do you guys use kitchen and bath paint in their respective rooms as well?

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Aaron McGinnis#4 Contractors Contributor
  • Contractor
  • Atlanta, GA
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Aaron McGinnis#4 Contractors Contributor
  • Contractor
  • Atlanta, GA
Replied May 13 2011, 22:53

No. Our bathrooms get greenrock around wet areas and the kitchens are typically on an open floor plan. Also... With superpaint or duron, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more durable paint.

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Jason Davis
  • Rehabber
  • Powhatan, VA
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Jason Davis
  • Rehabber
  • Powhatan, VA
Replied May 14 2011, 02:18

I use flat throughout the house and move to eggshell in the baths.

Flat will help hide small inperfections in the walls.

For several years I ran a franchise paint company, even Regal is also a great paint.

I use primer whie for ceilings.

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Mitch Kronowit
  • SFR Investor
  • Orange County, CA
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Mitch Kronowit
  • SFR Investor
  • Orange County, CA
Replied May 14 2011, 02:22

What Aaron said. Go for a non-offensive, but easily replaced, color such as light tan or beige since the new homeowners are very likely to do some painting of their own. We recently used a Home Depot color called "Oyster" in our last rental, with a bright white for the trim, doors, and bathrooms.

Of course, for rentals, we take a little more creative approach since we want the place to look nice, be attractive to a wide spectrum of tenants, and we don't expect them to repaint (at least we hope not without prior approval).

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Mark Yuschak
  • Residential Real Estate Broker
  • Grand Blanc, MI
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Mark Yuschak
  • Residential Real Estate Broker
  • Grand Blanc, MI
Replied May 14 2011, 04:09
Originally posted by Anthony Lewis:
do you find using sherman that you have to make more than one coat.

it actually help me sell all my houses in under 6 months. Tacky yes they say but it sure gets attention.

All my walls get two coats.

I'm not sure I would paint doors a yellow or blue. My entry doors are always a neutral color to compliment the exterior. The longest I've ever had to hold a house before accepting a PA is 23 days.

I never use a special paint for bathrooms or kitchens. Those get the same grade of paint as the rest of the house.

Flat paint seems like builder grade to me, especially on the walls. I hold my painter(s) to a very high standard. If there are imperfections, I expect them mudded and sanded before they apply paint. I want the walls 100% perfect so that there are no imperfections, regardless of the sheen of paint used.

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Rob Gillespie
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  • Cleveland, OH
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Rob Gillespie
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  • Cleveland, OH
Replied May 14 2011, 07:38

If you are doing multiple rehabs, I always stick to the same colors so I can take the leftover paint from house to house. I personally like gloss white trim and beige walls. Sherwin Williams is a great place to get paint, but make sure you find someone that is a heavy volume buyer from there to get the best pricing. I never use my own account because I found a company that spends over a million per year with them! I buy on their account, but I pay at the counter. I just want their discounts. It helps them for volume, and helps me get a deal!!!