I rarely write about such things as colors, decorating sense and design when it comes to my real estate investing activity.  I was taught, and it’s true, you want to create neutral colors so you can appeal to the majority of the population.  True, some people like purple and red and bright yellows, (and some even Cotton Candy Pink – yes one of my painters did that to a bathroom), but for a rehabber, it’s better to stay away from such bold colors in the interior.  The only exception was the front door, which a dark red or some other eye-popping color drew attention to the house and the Red door ruled.

It was when I got into an argument with a California investor, a successful student of the well known education group, Fortune Builders, where he tried to put a black door on the house we were rehabbing in Chicago.  First, you know that California sets the stage for the future.  But this man told me, with authority, that “Black is the new Red”.

Still determined that I was right (not one of my best qualities I admit), I saw what was going on in Chicago and it was still Red.  So, I said, “Fine, in California…”, and I got my real estate agent on my side and we both insisted on Red.  Red it became.  Of course since then I’ve noticed that the dark shiny black is making it’s way as a fashion statement throughout the country as the preferred color for front doors.

OK, so I have to admit that he was right, Black is the new Red.

Inside:

Interior colors are making a change too.  I’ve always been a proponent of the 2 toned, beige or tan walls with the white trim, but I’m seeing more of the green/gray colors.  Now, I’m not one to sit down with a bunch of  home decor magazines, but if you really want to know how I notice the trends in today’s colors, I’ll tell you.  I watch TV.  I watch movies.  So yes, I’m always working, even when I’m not working.

One very successful rehabber in Miami said that his wife goes in and decorates all the houses.  I almost cringed as I knew from my training you absolutely have to have neutral colors.  He violated all that I’ve been taught, yet he always sells his house the quickest and for the highest dollar amount in the neighbor hood.

I couldn’t understand what he was talking about until we actually saw one of his rehabbed houses on this last field trip to Miami.  Sure enough, the walls were the soft green/gray color, and it even had an accent wall of a darker green and it was stunning.

Now don’t go out and get all Martha Stewart on me here – but this is just an example of what I saw in Miami that was extremely effective, and also what I’ve seen in the movies.

You’re always going to be safe with the tans/beige interior colors.  I’ve just noticed a lot more of this color as a new trending neutral color.

What do you think?