This Is the Best Color to Paint a Ranch House, According to Real Estate Pros
At the risk of stereotyping millennials, I’ve gotta say, I’m a big one. My iPhone is an extension of my limbs, and like Pavlov’s dog, I salivate at the buzz of a ping. When I let a bag of salad spoil before eating it, I carry that food-waste guilt around with me for days. I have a side hustle. And y’all: I love a ranch-style home.
With older generations (sup, Boomers!) downsizing, retiring, or embracing the snowbird chapter of their lives, you may notice a variety of ranch-style homes hitting the market. One invaluable aspect of this type of home is the variety of directions the interior design can take. Plus, the single-story spread layout has something to offer any and every family or solo-dweller.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Hey, I’ve got a ranch-style house I’d like to sell!” then perfect! This article is for you! I spoke with two real estate experts who shared their insider-tips on how to sell your ranch-style home ASAP. Their secret? It’s as easy as a fresh coat of paint.
Try taking a drive through a neighborhood that was developed between the ‘50s and ‘70s. You’ll see plenty of ranch-style homes. My guess is that a vast portion of those homes haven’t had much updates in terms of the exterior. To garner the interest of prospective buyers — and especially those younger generations of house hunters who are putting down payments on their starter homes — taking the exterior update off their hands is a sure way to sweeten the deal. And a sophisticated, clean, white exterior is the way to go.
San Diego-based Realtor and president of Coastline Real Estate Group Shaylie Gilliland shares, “For the last few years we have seen a trend emerge of white shade exteriors with black accents and wood details. In the real estate market, I commonly experience extremely high demand for this style of ranch home, with buyers willing to pay a premium for these features.”
Fans of the HGTV mega-phenomenon couple Chip and Joanna Gaines are probably familiar with this look. Gilliland attributes the movement to their influence. “They created a distinct look and feel, and made the popularity of it widespread,” Gilliland says. “This style blends ranch house architectural elements with a clean modern look, while still encompassing the ranch house feel.”
On the other side of the country, New Jersey-based Realtor Camille Estrella is seeing a similar shift to white in ranch-style homes. “Modern and contemporary styles are still highly sought after. We’re seeing white and white-washed brick exteriors flying off the market,” Estrella says.
And to accent that white exterior? Some pops of interest. “Add in wooden or darker slate trim and it is a home buyer’s dream, definitely giving the illusion of larger and disassociating the ranch from cozy and small,” she notes.
It may be difficult for some younger buyers to picture themselves in untouched ranch-style homes that they grew up in or visited grandparents in. The trick is to offer them a home that they can relate to. “Buyers want to be able to see themselves in any home they tour. Having a blank canvas without outdated dark, sandy hues, or wacky colors is valued,” Estrella says.
Gilliland agrees, adding that it’s about way more than the house itself for today’s buyers. “When buyers see it, they are able to envision a lifestyle there, in a modern farmhouse, and just like any modern-style home, the demand skyrockets.”
So before you put your fabulous and beloved ranch-style abode on the market, pop out to the front yard and take a long look. If your home is aching for a little modern updating, the results could mean a quick turnaround and a bidding war — and no seller hates that.