HOMES

Best paint color for a quick home sale? White

Christina Poletto
For The Journal News

Jody Finglas of Finglas Painting in Ossining has been around long enough to know that certain paint colors can easily lift your spirits, make a room seem larger or smaller, and even, much to the chagrin of homeowners or agents, drag out the sale of a property.

The grand foyer in a custom-built home in Tarrytown's Greystone-on-Hudson

“We’ve been in business for past 15 years, and even in my previous experience of painting, I was lucky enough to be involved with professional painting companies, so I’ve been totally immersed in painting lifestyle for many years,” said Finglas.

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In that time, Finglas has adopted a few tricks of the trade that help him help achieve the perfect look and feel in the homes of his clients.

This Mamaroneck home was once owned by the president of ABC TV.  The homeowners have used white throughout to highlight many of the homeowner's original artworks.

“Before we start any project we get paint samples of what it is that our clients might want," he says. "A white kitchen can mean 40 different colors, so we work hard to find exactly what will work for a project.”

Rooms with strong hues, like this New Rochelle home on the market, can turn off potential buyers says an Ossining paint expert.

Goodbye, bold colors

So when it comes to paint colors, what’s in these days?

According to Finglas, you can’t go wrong with shades of whites and off-whites.

“What was very in vogue 10 years ago, like faux and decorative painting, funky wallpapers, and dark accent walls has changed.

Now, it’s all about less is more. We’re seeing a lot of requests for lighter, brighter colors. Dark colors are out. You can always add color in a room through the use of furniture and accessories.”

For those thinking of selling their home, the appeal of light, brighter spaces can truly enrich the feel of a home, according to Finglas.

This Mamaroneck home was once owned by the president of ABC TV.  The homeowners have used white throughout to highlight many of the homeowner's original artworks.

“In order to sell the house or make it appealing you have to give potential buyers a clean palette and you can’t go wrong with light colors or off-white for the whole interior of the house.”

Finglas stresses that not all paints are created equal, and that achieving high-end looks could require more time and money. He says his job is to translate what the clients might see on a home show and deliver an end result that makes them happy.

When it comes to a favorite paint line, especially for trim work and kitchen cabinets, there’s one product that Finglas swears by: Fine Paints of Europe. “Their colors and finishes have a beautiful quality to them. It give cabinets a wonderful look. We use it all the time.”

Jody Finglas of Finglas Painting in Ossining.

Homeowners shouldn’t focus on interior walls only, notes Finglas.

In order to sell the house or make it appealing you have to step outside as well.

“You have to give them a clean palette. And this goes for the outside, too,” shares Finglas. “It doesn’t have to be a huge restoration project. In general, a fresh coat of paint on a house can work wonders.”

Kitchen in a custom built Nyack home in The Reserve at Hudson Pointe. .

ROI: There’s no doubt that new paint can transform the look and feel of a property. However, it comes at a cost and requires time and plenty of scheduling.

According to Finglas, the cost of painting a room will generally range from $700-$1,500 but is dependent on many factors, including the size of the room, the paint products in use and the scope of work being performed.

Kitchens, which often require paint work on cabinets, trim, walls and ceilings, often run $7,000-$28,000.

Pricey? Yes, but professional paint jobs can last a decade, give or take a few years, so there's no doubt it’s a wise investment to make in the long run for both homeowners who plan on staying put, and those looking to sell for more and move on.