Thanks again for all the advice. It looks like everyone is in agreement that fresh paint in a neutral color is the way to go. I'm going to dread that huge of a project, but I'll thank myself later when my house sells! I sincerely appreciate everyone's help!

GREAT QUESTION: Homes show better with furniture however if you can still stage show more space remove some of your furnishings. Paint is very important removing the gender specific rooms to basic light tan or neutral color. AND ALL WHITE house is "old news" walk thru some model homes from builders GREAT IDEAS for paint and design.
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Karrie,

Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer.......I think you would agree that you would be more inclined to find a neat, fresh, well maintained, and visually appealing home to your liking.

To cut corners and leave things unattended to will affect your saleability and final price.

Good luck,
The "Eckler Team"

Go look at the new homes near you. See what color they are painted and match. They've done the research and typically paint in the latest colors. If you have blue and pink, paint them back neutral. Every now and then I'll have a family with a little girl that likes the pink rooms, but never seem to have the lookers as excited about the colors as the sellers. Maybe it's just a thing parents get excited about doing for their own kids and not excited about walking into a project someone else has already done. On the furnished/unfurnished question I think it depends on your furniture. I'd suggest hiring a stager and let them walk you through the paint, furniture, and placement questions. I've always thought this is worth the $200-$300 they charge. They're typically the most brutally honest person you deal with....and then follow their advice to the T. It's often tough for the realtor to be as honest as the stager. They want your business and it's tough for them to tell you your house smells, or to get rid of your favorite baby pictures, or the kids drawings on the refridge. Sellers are often offended when we tell them these things. However a stager is a good 3rd party opinion giver and they're going to get paid no matter what they tell you so typically they're the most objective in my experience.

Your on track! The colors of the rooms will certainly help and an inexpensive way of making the rooms look newer. Look for the most popular colors right now, which are mocha theme color, as the trim color right now is white. The best use of color I have seen so far is called horsetails, a softgreyish/green/mocha color blend, easy to make a difference.

Most people will look at a color they don't like and hold that against the house, unfortunately and some will look over it, so why not be 100% right with all buyers looking.

A complete makeover always helps, so paint away! Just pick nice neutral colors and do a good job or it will be worse than painting at all!

Best of luck to you Picasso!

Check on your home owners insurance policy about leaving your home vacant, or with your agent. Insurance companies can many times view that situation poorly. I defer to the others on color, but ELV!S seems to make a good point about there being better choices than whites.

Yes, it's important. I'd keep the colors neutral but remember most people will want their own color scheme thoughout the house. In that regard, you don't need to spend a lot just to sell, you can price the house with a new coat of paint needed in mind or you could make an allowance for it. Now, exterior paint, it's more important to keep it up.

The current colors are not neutral, so it sounds like I have some painting to do. And I'm glad I asked about it being furnished or not because I was under the impression that unfurnished would be better! Thanks for all the advice...

VERY IMPORTANT! A homes interior color scheme is very important. Stick to "neutral" colors.

VERY IMPORTANT! Outside, the curve appeal...
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I knew that my wife had good "Curve appeal", but was unaware that homes had that too... Many homes have a fair amount of "Curb Appeal", however.

Interior paint is important, as most buyers don't have much imagination beyond what they can see. I agree that it should be "neutral"... but neutral doesn't have to mean "White, or off-white". There are many nice colours that are considered "neutrals" too.

Talk to a design professional, or if your painter is "stylish" (and not just a workman) ask them for their suggestions.

VERY IMPORTANT! Outside, the curve appeal that your house invokes needs to be clean, fresh and unique. This does not mean paint your house purple or blue.. But do paint it in similar colors as those houses in your neighborhood with a bit of accent to make it stand out.

The inside colors.. ALL NEAUTRAL no exceptions.. (well actually there is but not many).

Do leave your house furnished but clutter free. Oh and remove all family picutures.

I hope this hels Karrie. let me know if you have any further questions

--Jesus Vazquez

a home stager is a great option, even if they just come in and give you advice rather than bringing in furniture, etc. Paint IS important, especially if you currently have some bold colors. make sure things are subtle so any buyer could imagine themself if your home.
vacant/occupied: if you do move out early, I would encourage you to leave behind some furniture and accessories (somewhat staging the home yourself). this will help buyers see how furniture can be arranged in specific rooms and make it feel more homey rather than a "space" that they're buying

Definitely furnished. Are the paint colors neutral (other than this kids room)?