From Nay to Payday- Choices home buyers want investors to understand!

Grey is Nay……..
The age of “fifty shades of grey” on your walls is officially dead. Once upon a time, painting every room battleship grey was the fastest way to look “modern.” Now? Buyers see it and immediately think, Oh great, another flip that screams 2015. Warm neutrals, creamy whites, and yes—even beige (the color you mocked your grandma for)—are back in. Blues, greens and rusts are trending now too!  Save your flip. Step away from the grey.  I’ve attached a few Sherwin William’s sample colors to this post. These are coming out in their 2026 color palette.

Subway is NO WAY…….
Subway tile. We’ve all loved it. We’ve all used it. But in 2026? It’s basically the flip house version of skinny jeans—dated, overdone, and not coming back anytime soon. Buyers want texture and dimension. Think tiles with imperfect edges, natural stone, and bold statement backsplashes. Stop slapping up cheap white subway tile and thinking you’re Joanna Gaines’ long-lost brother. It’s time to graduate to tile that looks like it actually belongs in this decade.  Two last things… pick grout that matches your tile. Using that dark grout on light tile instantly dates the look and it points out every imperfection in the install. And… spend the $35 for the metal jolly edging. Buyers want a professional finish, not grout smeared along the top with an uneven paint edge on top of that.

No Wood on Wood (insert joke here)…….
Okay, let’s keep it PG…ish. But seriously, wood-look LVP right next to original hardwood floors? That’s a crime against design. Buyers notice, and it makes them twitch. If you’re lucky enough to have real hardwood in part of the house, celebrate it. Then choose a contrasting material—stone-look LVP, tile, or carpet in secondary spaces. Just don’t try to fool buyers with a wood imposter hanging out next to the real deal.  Another design tip on flooring, if you have an open kitchen, dining and living room floor plan, use all the same flooring. Don’t cheap out and put carpet in the living room space like the below budget builders do. It makes the rooms feel smaller because visually it looks like two rooms instead of one large space. Bigger is better.

Boobs are not art…….
If you still think boob lights (you know, the dome lights that look exactly like, well…boobs) are acceptable, I’ve got bad news. Buyers in 2026 want bold, sculptural lighting that feels like part of the design, not an afterthought. They want light fixtures that feel like ART. Choose statement chandeliers, black or brass finishes, and shapes that make buyers pause and say, “That’s coo!” Because nothing kills the vibe faster than boob lights and 20+ year old Tuscan inspired chandeliers. Well, except maybe carpet in the bathroom.  Buyers spend more when they buy with excitement and emotion. If all you are using is LED puck lights and one Amazon Sputnik in the dining room, you are leaving money on the table.

This minimal gets the maximum return……
All the minimalism is leaving… except on the counter top front. Buyers still want solid surface and most prefer a simple design (or no design) in it. The wild movements in granite is out, the bold squiggles in quartz is trending out, butcher block is way out…. Add it to the budget to get solid surface. The top two buyer groups are couples and single females, and females are usually the decision makers. Living in a Pinterest and Instagram world, they want these high end finishes and they pay more to get them. 

All jokes aside, make your projects look special. They are special to the consumers who are purchasing them.  Make your finishes show that you put thought and effort into the house. The buyers see the difference and your days on market and your bottom line will reflect the difference.