Tony Ardizzone is the owner of CertaPro Painters of the North Shore and was the I.R.E.M 2014 Vendor Of The Year.
Every week, we ask a real estate professional for their Short List, a collection of tips and recommendations on an essential topic in real estate. This week, we talked with Tony Ardizzone, the owner of CertaPro Painters of the North Shore, about the key pallets and trends that he’s seeing in residential homes today.
3. The Most Popular Color Pallets with Consumers Nowadays – The most common color pallets with clients these days are neutrals. It’s all about brightening your space with creamy whites, warm grays and light taupes. Even soft greens and blues are becoming a neutral. If you’re looking for a change, try a light color on the walls, a white or cream on the trim and add a punch of color on the interior doors. That sets a timeless stage to incorporate trendy colors in the fabrics and accent pieces.
2. How I Would Advise an Agent to Freshen Up a Dull Listing For a Showing – The top three things to freshen up a dull listing are: curb appeal; removing wallpaper; and painting cabinetry.
Start with the front entrance. Make sure to put a fresh coat of color on the front door. Also, consider painting the house numbers, light fixtures and an outdoor bench to all coordinate and match. Add some colorful ceramic pots with plants and a welcome mat, and you’re good to go.
The next step is to remove any wallpaper in the home. Wallpaper is very personal, and prospective homeowners can see it as a deterrent. DO NOT PAINT OVER! It makes people think that you are trying to cover something up, and they will wonder what other “short cuts” have been taken. Once the glue is removed, be sure to prime, so paint will adhere properly. Choose a flat or low sheen paint to better hide any imperfections in the walls.
Finally, paint old cabinetry in the kitchens and bathrooms. That will immediately update the space at a fraction of the cost.
1. How Agents Can Stay on the Up-and-Up with Color Schemes and the Latest Trends – Stay up to date with current trends by following blogs, websites and social media pages, as well as advice and insights from local painting experts. Ask for color sheet samples so you can test your color out in your client’s home before it’s on the walls.
Tony Ardizzone is the owner of CertaPro Painters of the North Shore, and was the I.R.E.M 2014 Vendor Of The Year. He can be contacted at: aardizzone@certapro.com; 224-723-5089; http://northbrook.certapro.com/; and https://www.facebook.com/certapro.northshore?ref=profile.