Painting is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to make a house look fresh and new when you are trying to sell a house quick.
But buyers have certain expectations about paint that a seller must meet.
Skip dark paint colors. The most frequent statement any real estate pro hears from potential buyers is that they want a house with lots of light. Most buyers will say that. Dark houses and dark paint colors can make a house less attractive to most potential buyers. So while you may love your navy family room, other people probably won't and will move on to another property. Paint colors need to be light so rooms look lighter and bigger.
One of the most dreaded characteristics in a house as far as relocation companies and appraisers are concerned is the phrase "custom colors". To them and to many buyers it just means they don't like the colors and/or they don't go with their stuff. Buyers don't want to have to repaint and get rid of your custom colors. Go for light neutrals.
Dark or stained trim. Paint window frames and doorframes and other trim white. It makes your windows look bigger. It's a good way to make your house more attractive to buyers.
Stippling, and rag paint treatments are so pass. Buyers don't like them. Heavy textures are a hard sell. It takes a lot of work to get rid of the texture and all the mlange of color. Plain paint appeals to more buyers. Skip the extra work.
Watch out for yellow and gold. While these colors are fashionable, many people don't like them. A yellow room tends to make people cranky and irritable. Only the palest shades have a less irritating effect. While these colors can work in an office or other work area, they are not great in a family room or living room. If you are fond of yellow use it as an accent color, not a wall color.
When relocation companies buy a house they generally make only one alteration to it. They often buy and paint on a lot of ivory white paint.