{
  "title": "Paint & Home Resale Statistics 2026",
  "publisher": "Carolina Renew Painting & Finishes",
  "url": "https://carolinarenew.com/paint-color-home-value-statistics-2026/",
  "verifiedOn": "2026-09-09",
  "license": "Cite with attribution and a link to the dataset URL.",
  "rows": [
    {
      "id": "nar-2025-joy-paint-interior",
      "metric": "Remodeling Joy Score — Paint 1 Interior Room",
      "value": "9.3 (out of 10)",
      "entity": "National Association of REALTORS® (NAR Research Group)",
      "source": "2025 Remodeling Impact Report",
      "sourceDate": "2025-04-09",
      "url": "https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025-remodeling-impact-report_04-09-2025.pdf",
      "quote": "Top Joy Score For Remodeling Projects ... Paint 1 Interior Room [bar] 9.3",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national, REALTOR-reported"
    },
    {
      "id": "nar-2025-joy-paint-exterior",
      "metric": "Remodeling Joy Score — Paint Exterior Siding",
      "value": "8.8 (out of 10)",
      "entity": "National Association of REALTORS® (NAR Research Group)",
      "source": "2025 Remodeling Impact Report",
      "sourceDate": "2025-04-09",
      "url": "https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025-remodeling-impact-report_04-09-2025.pdf",
      "quote": "Top Joy Score For Remodeling Projects ... Paint Exeterior Siding [bar] 8.8",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national, REALTOR-reported"
    },
    {
      "id": "nar-2025-presale-paint-entire",
      "metric": "% of REALTORS® who recommend sellers paint the entire home before selling",
      "value": "50%",
      "entity": "National Association of REALTORS®",
      "source": "2025 Remodeling Impact Report, p.10 (\"Top Remodeling Projects REALTORS® Recommend Sellers Do Before Selling\")",
      "sourceDate": "2025-04-09",
      "url": "https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025-remodeling-impact-report_04-09-2025.pdf",
      "quote": "Top Remodeling Projects REALTORS® Recommend Sellers Do Before Selling: Paint The Entire Home 50%",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "nar-2025-presale-paint-1room",
      "metric": "% of REALTORS® who recommend sellers paint one interior room before selling",
      "value": "41%",
      "entity": "National Association of REALTORS®",
      "source": "2025 Remodeling Impact Report, p.10",
      "sourceDate": "2025-04-09",
      "url": "https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025-remodeling-impact-report_04-09-2025.pdf",
      "quote": "Top Remodeling Projects REALTORS® Recommend Sellers Do Before Selling: ... Paint 1 Interior Room 41%",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "nar-2025-demand-paint-interior",
      "metric": "% of REALTORS® who saw increased buyer demand for interior painting in the last two years",
      "value": "32%",
      "entity": "National Association of REALTORS®",
      "source": "2025 Remodeling Impact Report, p.11 (\"Last Two Years REALTORS® Have Seen Increased Demand For…\")",
      "sourceDate": "2025-04-09",
      "url": "https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-04/2025-remodeling-impact-report_04-09-2025.pdf",
      "quote": "Last Two Years REALTORS® Have Seen Increased Demand For… ... Paint Entire Interior Home 32%",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "nar-staging-2025-paint-touchups",
      "metric": "% of sellers' agents who recommend paint touch-ups before listing",
      "value": "67%",
      "entity": "National Association of REALTORS®",
      "source": "2025 Profile of Home Staging, p.18 (\"Home Improvement\")",
      "sourceDate": "2025-06-26",
      "url": "https://cms.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-06/2025-profile-of-home-staging-report-06-26-2025.pdf",
      "quote": "Home Improvement ... Paint touch ups 67%",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "nar-staging-2025-painting-walls",
      "metric": "% of sellers' agents who recommend painting walls before listing",
      "value": "57%",
      "entity": "National Association of REALTORS®",
      "source": "2025 Profile of Home Staging, p.18",
      "sourceDate": "2025-06-26",
      "url": "https://cms.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/2025-06/2025-profile-of-home-staging-report-06-26-2025.pdf",
      "quote": "Home Improvement ... Painting walls 57%",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2017-blue-bathroom",
      "metric": "Sale-price premium for a blue/periwinkle bathroom vs. white walls",
      "value": "+$5,440",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2017 Paint Color Analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2017-06-01",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-06-01-Homes-with-Blue-Bathrooms-Sell-for-5-400-More-than-Expected",
      "quote": "Homes with blue bathrooms, often found in hues of powder blue or light periwinkle, sold for $5,440 more than expected, the highest sales premium of all colors analyzed.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "Historical (2017)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2017-white-bathroom",
      "metric": "Sale-price discount for a white/no-color bathroom vs. colored walls",
      "value": "-$4,035",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2017 Paint Color Analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2017-06-01",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-06-01-Homes-with-Blue-Bathrooms-Sell-for-5-400-More-than-Expected",
      "quote": "homes with white bathrooms sold for an average of $4,035 below similar homes.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "Historical (2017)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2018-black-front-door",
      "metric": "Sale-price premium for a black/charcoal front door vs. white",
      "value": "+$6,271",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2018 Paint Color Analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2018-06-20",
      "url": "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/homes-with-tuxedo-kitchen-cabinets-and-black-front-doors-can-sell-up-to-6-000-more-than-expected-300669108.html",
      "quote": "Homes with black or charcoal gray front doors sell for $6,271 more than expected, the highest sales premium of all the room and color combinations analyzed.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "Historical (2018)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2018-tuxedo-kitchen",
      "metric": "Sale-price premium for a two-tone \"tuxedo\" kitchen cabinet paint job",
      "value": "+$1,547",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2018 Paint Color Analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2018-06-20",
      "url": "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/homes-with-tuxedo-kitchen-cabinets-and-black-front-doors-can-sell-up-to-6-000-more-than-expected-300669108.html",
      "quote": "Tuxedo kitchens, or kitchens where the upper and lower cabinets are painted in two different colors, sell for a $1,547 premium.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "Historical (2018)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2022-black-front-door",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer premium for a black front door vs. other colors",
      "value": "+$6,449",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow front door paint color study (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2022-06-23",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2022-06-23-Slate-blue,-black-front-doors-can-sell-homes-for-as-much-as-6,449-more",
      "quote": "A black front door was associated with the highest offer price, with buyers saying they would be willing to pay, on average, $6,449 more for a home with this high-contrast front door.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "Historical (2022)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2022-pale-pink-door",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer discount for a pale pink front door",
      "value": "-$6,516",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow front door paint color study (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2022-06-23",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2022-06-23-Slate-blue,-black-front-doors-can-sell-homes-for-as-much-as-6,449-more",
      "quote": "Some study participants described homes with a pale pink front door as \"kind of shabby looking\" and would be willing to pay, on average, $6,516 less than expected.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "Historical (2022)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2023-charcoal-kitchen",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer premium for a charcoal/graphite gray kitchen vs. white",
      "value": "+$2,512",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2023 paint color analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2023-06-20",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2023-06-20-Design-goes-dark-Buyers-pay-more-for-homes-painted-in-moody-hues",
      "quote": "Homes with a deep graphite gray kitchen can sell for an estimated $2,512 more than similar homes, while a midtone pewter gray kitchen can command $2,553 more than expected.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "Historical (2023)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2023-white-kitchen",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer discount for a white kitchen vs. dark gray",
      "value": "-$612",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2023 paint color analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2023-06-20",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2023-06-20-Design-goes-dark-Buyers-pay-more-for-homes-painted-in-moody-hues",
      "quote": "Even the classic white kitchen has fallen out of favor with today's buyers, who reported they would pay $612 less for a home that has one.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "Historical (2023)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2023-terracotta-bathroom",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer premium for a terra-cotta brown bathroom vs. white",
      "value": "+$1,624",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2023 paint color analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2023-06-20",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2023-06-20-Design-goes-dark-Buyers-pay-more-for-homes-painted-in-moody-hues",
      "quote": "Bathrooms painted a trendy terra-cotta brown, a 2023 color of the year, could help a home sell for $1,624 more than similar homes.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "Historical (2023)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2025-olive-kitchen",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer premium for a muted/olive green kitchen vs. white",
      "value": "+$1,597",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2025 paint color analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2025-06-17",
      "url": "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ready-to-sell-these-paint-colors-can-boost-your-homes-sale-price-302482144.html",
      "quote": "Zillow's study finds recent and prospective home buyers prefer muted green kitchens over all other colors, and they're willing to offer $1,597 more for homes with cabinets painted this color.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national, buyer survey (4,200+ respondents)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2025-navy-bedroom",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer premium for a navy blue bedroom vs. white",
      "value": "+$1,815",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2025 paint color analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2025-06-17",
      "url": "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ready-to-sell-these-paint-colors-can-boost-your-homes-sale-price-302482144.html",
      "quote": "Buyers liked navy blue bedrooms the best. This restful shade can increase a home's sale price by $1,815.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2025-nearly-third-paint",
      "metric": "Share of homeowners who paint their home before listing it for sale",
      "value": "\"Nearly one-third\"",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2025 paint color analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2025-06-17",
      "url": "https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ready-to-sell-these-paint-colors-can-boost-your-homes-sale-price-302482144.html",
      "quote": "Nearly one-third of all homeowners paint their home before listing it for sale, but sellers can earn top dollar when they pick the right colors.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2026-chocolate-bedroom",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer premium for a chocolate brown bedroom vs. white",
      "value": "+$2,277",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2026 Paint Color Analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2026-06-16",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2026-06-16-The-retro-bedroom-color-that-adds-2,277-to-your-homes-value,-according-to-Zillow",
      "quote": "Painting a bedroom chocolate brown can add $2,277 to a home's offer price, according to Zillow's 2026 Paint Color Analysis. It's the highest-value interior color choice in this year's study.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national, buyer survey (4,400+ respondents)"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2026-ochre-yellow-worst",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer discount for ochre yellow painted throughout a home",
      "value": "-$18,164",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2026 Paint Color Analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2026-06-16",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2026-06-16-The-retro-bedroom-color-that-adds-2,277-to-your-homes-value,-according-to-Zillow",
      "quote": "Ochre yellow painted throughout a home can shave $18,164 off a home's value.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2026-charcoal-kitchen",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer premium for a charcoal gray kitchen vs. white",
      "value": "+$1,373",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2026 Paint Color Analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2026-06-16",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2026-06-16-The-retro-bedroom-color-that-adds-2,277-to-your-homes-value,-according-to-Zillow",
      "quote": "Homes with charcoal gray and dark plum kitchens may get the highest offers, commanding an additional $1,373 and $867 respectively.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2026-red-bathroom",
      "metric": "Buyer-offer discount for a fire-hydrant red bathroom vs. white",
      "value": "nearly -$8,000",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2026 Paint Color Analysis (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2026-06-16",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2026-06-16-The-retro-bedroom-color-that-adds-2,277-to-your-homes-value,-according-to-Zillow",
      "quote": "Buyers may also offer nearly $8,000 less for homes with a bathroom painted fire-hydrant red.",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national"
    },
    {
      "id": "zillow-2026-color-drenching",
      "metric": "Year-over-year increase in \"color drenching\" mentions in for-sale listing descriptions",
      "value": "+149% YoY",
      "entity": "Zillow",
      "source": "Zillow 2026 Home Trends Report (press release)",
      "sourceDate": "2025-10-15",
      "url": "https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-10-15-Zillows-2026-home-trends-Color-drenched,-whimsical-and-resilient",
      "quote": "Bold design is back: Mentions of color drenching are up 149% in Zillow listings. ... Mentions of this design choice jumped 149% year over year",
      "confidence": "High",
      "scope": "US national, for-sale listing description analysis"
    },
    {
      "id": "homelight-q3-2025-fresh-paint-roi",
      "metric": "Agent-estimated resale value added by fresh paint — $12,130 (HomeLight survey of 888 agents, Q3 2025; perception survey, not a measured sale-price effect)",
      "value": "$12,130",
      "entity": "HomeLight (Top Agent Insights, Q3 2025 survey)",
      "source": "HomeLight blog, citing HomeLight Top Agent Insights Q3 2025 survey (888 agents)",
      "sourceDate": "2026-07-08",
      "url": "https://www.homelight.com/blog/should-i-repaint-my-house-before-selling/",
      "quote": "Top agents said in a Q3 2025 HomeLight survey that painting can add $12,130 to the resale value of a median-priced home.",
      "confidence": "Med",
      "scope": "Survey (agent perception)"
    }
  ],
  "gaps": [
    {
      "metric": "A single, isolated dollar or % ROI figure for \"exterior house painting\" specifically (as opposed to front-door or trim color)",
      "why": "No fetchable primary/association source isolates whole-exterior repaint ROI as its own line item; NAR's Joy Score (8.8) and 32%/pre-sale-recommendation figures cover paint generally, and Zonda's Cost vs. Value 2025 report (jlconline.com/cost-vs-value/2025/) does not include an exterior-painting project category at all — it was checked and confirmed absent."
    },
    {
      "metric": "A national average dollar ROI or cost-recoup % for full interior repainting (industry-standard 'Cost vs. Value'-style figure)",
      "why": "Zonda's Cost vs. Value report, the standard source for this kind of project-ROI figure, does not track a painting project category; no other primary/association source publishes a comparable recovered-cost percentage for painting specifically (NAR's Remodeling Impact Report gives Joy Score and % dollar-value-recovered only for the projects in its own list, and painting is not one of the projects with a published cost-recovery % in the 2025 edition)."
    },
    {
      "metric": "Days-on-market reduction attributable specifically to painting (isolated from general staging/showing prep)",
      "why": "NAR's Profile of Home Staging reports days-on-market effects for staging as a bundle of prep activities (declutter, clean, paint touch-ups, etc. together) — no primary source isolates painting alone as the causal factor for a specific DOM reduction."
    },
    {
      "metric": "Realtor.com's own primary research on paint/staging (as distinct from NAR content republished on realtor.com)",
      "why": "Extensive search did not surface a distinct, fetchable Realtor.com Research (the news.realtor.com data-and-analytics team) study isolating paint/repainting; what surfaces under 'Realtor.com staging paint' is either NAR's own Profile of Home Staging content or third-party aggregator summaries, not primary Realtor.com research."
    }
  ]
}