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How to Choose the Right Paint Colors When Selling Your Home

By U.S. News & World Report

One of the simplest ways to update a space is with a can of paint. But deciding on a paint color can drive anyone mad. There are so many choices out there today — cobalt blue, coral, Navajo white — the options are endless. Using certain interior and exterior paint colors can spark interest from potential buyers, but also send them out the door if not done correctly.

The first thing you should do as a home seller is remove your own opinion about color. Paint is very personal, but when selling a house you need to focus first on potential buyers.

Research your market to see what homes recently sold and the color schemes used in those properties. Mimic the color scheme to create one cohesive look in your home. Note that every market will have different dominant colors buyers prefer based on the area’s style and the lifestyle buyers are looking to lead. For example, a den in a trendy city loft could have black walls, while the same room in a farmhouse wouldn’t be best suited with black walls, unless it was a chalkboard painted accent wall.

[See: 10 Unorthodox Ways Your Real Estate Agent May Market Your Home.]

Here are seven things to consider as you consider which paint colors are best to help you successfully sell your home.

Lighting. Pay attention to the light source in the room you’re painting. Lighting can drastically affect the way a color appears. Spaces filled with sunshine rather than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs will look completely different. The same color can even appear different based on the time of day.

That’s why when specifying colors for a space, it’s important to take light — both its presence and its absence — into consideration. Just because you love a color in the store or at a friend’s house does not mean it will work in yours. Test the color on your wall first to see if it’s right for your home.

Undertones. All colors have undertones that are implied, even if they aren’t always visible to the eye. For instance, all grays have a tint to them, whether blue, green or even purple. Be careful when choosing colors to ensure that other items or colors throughout the room don’t bring out something you weren’t intending to.

Fixed furnishings. Paint colors should enhance the fixed materials in a room. Pay attention to flooring, wood finishes, countertops, wallpaper and any tile within the room. It may seem like a no-brainer, but often people don’t take fixed furnishings into consideration.

Paint should complement these materials rather than make them look like an eyesore. If you have built-in cabinets that are a dark red cherry wood, avoid painting the surrounding walls orange. The colors will end up competing with each other.

Varying finishes. Depending on the finish of the paint, matte verse semi-gloss paint can transform the look of a room. Be mindful of the varying sheens and when to use them. While high gloss is the most durable and the easiest to clean, it can show every imperfection on the wall. Matte finishes, on the other hand can be cheaper, but are less durable.

[Read: 10 House Painting Rules You Should Never Break.]

Emotional state. When choosing colors, keep in mind that colors can evoke strong emotions. That’s why many home sellers stick to neutrals when putting their home on the market. In general, neutrals are an easy, classic way to go when picking colors. But it’s important to also make a lasting impression. Ask yourself these questions before adding a wall color to a room:

— What’s the mood of the room? Remember the mood you want to give in each room before choosing a color palette. For instance: A bedroom should be calm and relaxing, while a kitchen can be vibrant or energetic. All white rooms can be dull and hard to keep clean, so avoid this whenever possible.

— What’s the size of the room? Color can make rooms look larger or smaller. Warmer tones make the room feel cozy, while a cooler color can actually push out the walls of a small room, making it appear larger than it is. Don’t be afraid to go dark or bold in a small space, it can enhance the dimensions of the room.

— What color are furniture and accessories? Bring an accessory when shopping for paint to try and match up colors, or see what hue will work well with the accent color. This can help you visualize how the room will come together.

Exterior paint colors. A fresh coat of paint can give the entire house an exterior facelift and spruce up curb appeal. While picking a color, keep in mind the character of the neighborhood. Your color choice should blend well with what’s surrounding the property. Using different tones of tan, light gray or beige can make the property look larger and more modern. Use shades of white on the trim and an accent color on the front door to captivate those who pass by.

[See: 11 Popular Home Updates That Are Worth the Cost.]

Interior paint colors. The key to interior colors is to combine warm colors with neutral colors. Warm colors are inviting and give a home a little more character than plain white walls. Bold colors can turn away certain buyers. Keeping the ceiling and trim white will brighten up a room, giving the house a crisp, fresh look.

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How to Choose the Right Paint Colors When Selling Your Home originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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