Comments on: Perfect (ly Hideous) Neutrals

By: Tarah

Tarah — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:19:16 +0000

Ive seen the show your speaking of and I totally agree. It actually made me sort of miss some of the crazy Trading Spaces classics like the walls covered in hay because it was such a snore! I think all the neutrals make the house boring, yes its probably neater and more organized but it probably also gives off the feel that if the house had a personality it would be a real snob! Awesome post ill be sure to check back often.

By: heather (errantdreams)

heather (errantdreams) — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:38:33 +0000

The tip I always heard was to bake bread when you knew people were going to come view the house. Olfactory senses have a huge effect on emotions.

Anyway, I’d always heard that whole ‘neutralize’ thing too. We didn’t have time to do that when we sold our first (and only other) house, and yet it sold in one day. In fact, I gather the family that bought it in part bought it *because* of the wacky things we’d done, like paint two rooms in shades of purple and blue, and plant berry bushes all over the place.

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:07:22 +0000

Bev,

I honestly can’t imagine you moving. You and Walt have lived in the same place longer than anyone else I know. And I personally am a huge fan of big, bold colors, which can be done tastefully and effectively, though for all these books about houses I blog about I probably should mention that I am apartment dweller, sentenced by my lease to living in a plain white box with drab colored carpeting

Cecelia,

I had already written this post when I got your note so the timing really was perfect. I have really been impressed by your articles about mistakes that buyers and sellers alike make and I think your blog is such a great resource Because there is so much bad advice out there and so many people aiming at that market who have an agenda which may well conflict with that of the consumer.

My very best wishes to you both,

Alan

By: Bev

Bev — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:36:50 +0000

Neutralize? But I thought the thing was to “go bold with color.” It’s so confusing! (It’s a good thing I have no plans to sell our house in the foreseeable future)

By: The Realtor - Cecilia

The Realtor - Cecilia — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:14:23 +0000

Hey Alan, thanks for the mention! You’re right, timing is impeccable. I just wrote a few seller posts about neutralizing and mistakes some sellers make when trying to get their home sold. I’m a huge fan of HGTV too and long before the cable channel became a hit, we told sellers to do certain things and to *stage* their home. Some still don’t get it. It’s one of our biggest battles. They think we’re personally attacking their decor and taste and that’s just not the case. Appealing to the masses is the key and clean and cleared out are two of the biggest factors for success.

Home owners have to be a little careful watching some of the decorating shows on HGTV and getting the new designer books as many of them are now out of ideas and desperate for a new show topic and material. They’re starting to do strange things and call them fashionable. I say stick with the basics. Great post… =)