Did I make a mistake painting the house blue!?

Did I make a mistake painting the house blue!?

Flipper/Rehabber · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 60 posts · 20 votes
I’m on my very first flIP and every single decision gives me anxiety because I do not want to make the wrong choice. So far I think I have done well with picking floors and indoor paint, cabinets, etc... BUT I think I may have screwed up with the exterior paint. I picked blue, and after painting it my contractor tells me “as an investor it’s not smart to go with blue”. So now I’m second guessing every decision I have made including the exterior paint. I chose the color because I really wanted the house to catch people’s eye and not just be a boring beige and I would have done grey except there is a lot of grey inside the house and I just thought making the house grey would just be grey overkill. I’m sure this is probably a silly topic to most experienced investors so I apologize, but it’s my first flip and I don’t know a good rule of the thumb for this stuff. Like fans or light fixtures in which rooms and how to make sure everything flows together in scheme (modern, contemporary, industrial, etc) and how to pick the right colors. Help! P.s the color is sherwin Williams “poolhouse”
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Hudson, OH · Member since 2016 · 8 posts · 32 votes
7y

Hi Mandi.  As a designer who does staging consults for resale and has just gotten into flipping myself I would like to field this one for you because it is much more complicated than just color choice.  I disagree with your contractor that "as an investor it's not smart to go with blue".  Blanket statements should never be made about real estate, design, or life in general for that matter.  It truly depends on your market!  There have been some highly unscientific "studies" that show that blue houses sell for less, but these did not analyze individual markets, architectural style or appeal of varying shades of blue.  Additionally, architectural and decorative features of the home usually figure heavily into whether or not blue is acceptable and should be considered as well.

To illustrate take a look at these these stunners below:

I don't think anyone would disagree that these are all highly marketable properties and they are all done in various shades of blue. The first is a Coastal home, second Tudor and third Craftsman cottage.  Notice that white was chosen as a trim for each of these which sharpens the look and breaks up the color, and there is significant architectural and design detail that makes these homes interesting.

Now, look at these homes:

Not horrible, but an old metal awning and iron railings on the porch and no architectural detail make this blue house less appealing. Notice the color of the house is not the problem here.  A new portico and craftsman columns on this porch would really boost the curb appeal, as would some plantings to soften the look of the foundation. 

Again, you can see the color is not the problem with this house.  An overgrown bush, yard ornaments and odd bicolor door and trim add to the lack of appeal here.  The two siding orientations don't help either.  I would change the siding where it was hung vertically to something more eye catching like shakes or board and batten, add some beefier white trim around the window and door, paint the front door black and clear out that front yard.  Voila!  Cute blue cottage.

I think you picked a beautiful blue, but if you are feeling uneasy about it, analyze the other details of the facade to make sure the color isn't falling flat.  You don't have to spend a mint!  Often it's small changes that make the most difference.  I hope this helps and good luck.  Let me know if you need any clarification.

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  • Flipper/Rehabber · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 60 posts · 20 votes
    7y
    @John M. Thank you for taking the time to respond and you are so right! It only takes one! Love the positivity.
  • Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    7y
    Some blues are classy some are hideous . It really depends
  • Flipper/Rehabber · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 60 posts · 20 votes
    7y
    @Chris May lol! You are straight to the point and I love it! You’re so right, It is my vision not his. I knew I’d learn a lot with this first flip but the things I have learned have exceeded my expectations. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to me. :)
  • Flipper/Rehabber · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 60 posts · 20 votes
    7y
    @Logan Gill thank you! I definitely will reach out to you! Your mother is a strong women to go through that fight. It’s my pleasure every day to try and make the battle a little easier. God bless her and you all. :)
  • Flipper/Rehabber · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 60 posts · 20 votes
    7y
    @Chris Fuget Hey Chris thank you for your honesty and for taking the time to respond. I will definitely consider it for my next deal.
  • Madisonville, LA · Member since 2018 · 125 posts · 71 votes
    7y
    I think that color is fine so you shouldn't worry. But more importantly you have to realize you will make minor mistakes so getting anxiety over it is just going to stress you out. Long term even if you picked a bad color you can repaint or whatever at minimal impact. Like was said just breathe lol
  • Hudson, OH · Member since 2016 · 8 posts · 32 votes
    7y

    @Mandi Martinez  Just call me the design fairy ;-)  Don't worry about architectural style of the home, it really doesn't matter.  I was just trying to show that blue can work with many styles.  It sounds like you have a good handle on it and I wish you all the luck as you start this new venture.  I'm currently working on my second flip and I'm hooked!  Message me if you need any further help.

    @Alvin Sylvain Haven't tried the app yet...maybe I don't want to! 

  • Real Estate Agent · Cupertino, CA · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    Must blend with the neighborhood and vegetation. 


  • Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 871 votes
    7y

    Not all shades of blue are created equal, so to speak.  I painted my project blue-gray and it sold in 2 days.

  • Coppell, TX · Member since 2015 · 485 posts · 310 votes
    7y

    excellent thread!  I love blue :)

    Thanks!

  • Real Estate Agent · Grand Junction, CO · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 736 votes
    7y

    @Mandi Martinez I haven't seen anyone else specifically mention this (although @Sam Shueh somewhat alluded to it). What color are the surrounding houses and how close in proximity to yours. I like neutrals - but would never paint my houses the same color as the house next door. What would fit on that block and yet be pleasantly different than the others? I just painted / stuccoed a house green. Now if you say "green" it will freak people out. But it leans hard towards gray and has beige trim and is really quite attractive in a subtle way. Can't go back with stucco! Also, in very modern architecture it is popular to have the trim a darker color than the primary face color. But in older homes it is more pleasing for the primary color to be the "dark" and the trim to be light. And don't forget to make the front door "pop"!

  • Architect · Papillion, NE · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 840 votes
    7y

    For color reference of SW "Poolhouse" #7603

    https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW7603-poolhouse#/7603/?s=coordinatingColors&p=PS0

    This color is muted so I don't think it will be a deal breaker.  It will depend on how it is accented with other colors and the style of the house.  Without pictures its hard to give you better advice / opinions.   

  • Rental Property Investor · Littleton, CO · Member since 2014 · 150 posts · 114 votes
    7y

    Everyone has an opinion. The color reads blue-gray not Smurf blue. It will be fine. As @Michelle Santhanum pointed out other details on the house make a big difference. Not having another gray or tan house could make your house stand out from the competition.

    Post a pic if you can. 

  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 31k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    7y

    When flipping houses you should avoid the urge to think outside the box or put extra creativity into the project. Its not going to be your house nor should it be your vision. Stick to what works. Neutral colors appeal to a larger majority of people than colors like blue, green or yellow.

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Mark Sewell:

    Not all shades of blue are created equal, so to speak.  I painted my project blue-gray and it sold in 2 days.

     that color is in especially in kitchens

  • Investor · Richmond, VA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    @Mandi Martinez,

    There's nothing wrong with blue-- especially navy and light blues!   I will say, if you pick a bold color, it has to make sense-- don't put it on a 800 sq ft rancher in a rural area, if other houses nearby are picking stronger colors, it will fit in, but if it's the only non-white/grey... it will look odd.    Make sure it looks good, and makes sense-- you're painting someone's future home!  Just make sure it flows,  and makes sense when you enter the house too.. if you're going for modern, you need to stay with the modern style throughout.   

    Hope this helps!   Be sure to follow up and post pictures for us!

  • Jackson, TN · Member since 2017 · 12 posts · 11 votes
    7y

    I've painted a house blue and successfully sold it. I actually meant to paint it grey but by the time the painter called to tell me it looked more blue than grey he had already painted most of the house.  Don't freak out, usually everything works out fine. 

  • Flipper / Landlord · Tyler, TX · Member since 2016 · 255 posts · 126 votes
    7y

    I painted my BRRRR that color, its some type of blue/gray color.

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Jeffersonville, IN · Member since 2015 · 44 posts · 17 votes
    7y

    My piece of advice is to not to give too much thought on what a contractor thinks. They are in the contracting business and not the investing business. Please do take their thoughts and comments in consideration but do not loose sleep over it. Do what you feels is right and learn from your mistakes.

  • Member since 2018 · 1 post · 1 vote
    7y

    @Michelle Santhanam What a thoughtful, kind and detailed response. I enjoyed reading it as well. 

    @Mandi Martinez  I wish you the very best of luck and please come back and let us know how you fared!

  • Rental Property Investor · Surprise, AZ · Member since 2015 · 20 posts · 14 votes
    7y

    I'm seeing blue in so many flips here in the Phoenix market, especially in kitchen cabinets. I almost painted one of my flips navy but my contractor talked me out of it. I wish I had been bold and stuck to my guns! And Poolhouse is a nice, versatile shade. Post a picture when you're at your computer! I'd love to see it.

  • Real Estate Agent · Nashville, TN · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    7y

    I volunteered with habitat for humanity during a subdivision build. The house I worked on was painted light blue with a bright red door. It was absolutely beautiful. 

    The house next door was painted light green with a light black door. If someone asked me I would say that a house painted green would NEVER sell. However, the shade of green mixed with the black door looked absolutely spectacular and probably my first choice of any other color we did in that subdivision. 

    It all depends on shade and architecture. I'm all about a blue house!

  • Real Estate Agent · Merritt Island, FL · Member since 2017 · 986 posts · 1k+ votes
    7y

    @Mandi Martinez - lots of good input from BP members! There are many shades of blue and to generalize is not good advice. A big thank you to members who posted pics. The key is to make sure the home looks good and it fits your area. What I mean by that is when comparing colors in South Florida (where I spent 14 years until recently) to colors in my home area (Wash DC), there's a significant difference. Does your blue fit your area or does it stick out like a sore thumb? If the former, you're good.

    Keep in mind too that you can't satisfy everyone, we all have our preferences. For example, I'm not a fan of blue for houses. Yet, my first home (which I still own) is a grayish-blue and my fav color is blue. Go figure!

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 60 posts · 20 votes
    7y
    @Mark Sewell mark! I love it! Thank you for the response. What’s the name of the color you used? It’s great! Where did you find the inspiration?
  • Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y
    @John M. Thats very true. I bought my house because the whole interior was a beautiful blue color. It's a very calming color.
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