5 Paint Colors That Help Homes Sell Faster in Des Moines

Choosing the right paint color can make or break a home sale. As a painting contractor serving Des Moines and Ankeny realtors, I've seen how the right shade transforms a property from sitting on the market to selling in days.

Buyers want to picture themselves in a space, and bold or dated colors make that hard. Neutral doesn't mean boring. It means creating a blank canvas that photographs well and appeals to the widest audience.

Agreeable Gray (Sherwin-Williams) tops my list. This warm greige works in almost any room and looks great in Iowa's natural light. It's modern without feeling cold, and it pairs well with any flooring type.

Swiss Coffee (Benjamin Moore) is my go-to white. Pure white can feel stark and show every imperfection, but Swiss Coffee has just enough warmth. It makes trim pop and ceilings look higher.

Edgecomb Gray (Benjamin Moore) works beautifully in homes with lots of windows. It shifts from warm to cool depending on the light, which means it looks good morning and evening during showings.

Accessible Beige (Sherwin-Williams) replaced the dated builder beige we saw everywhere ten years ago. It's sophisticated, warm, and makes spaces feel larger. I recommend it often for older homes that need updating.

Repose Gray (Sherwin-Williams) is slightly cooler than Agreeable Gray and works well in south-facing rooms that get intense afternoon sun. It photographs beautifully for listing photos.

The key is consistency. Painting an entire home in one or two coordinating neutrals makes it feel larger and more cohesive. Buyers walk through and see a well-maintained property, not a patchwork of different owners' taste.

Before choosing paint, consider your home's lighting, flooring, and target buyer. A downtown Des Moines condo might lean cooler and more contemporary, while a suburban Ankeny family home might need warmer tones.

Quality matters too. Cheap paint shows streaks and requires extra coats. Professional-grade paint with primer covers better, lasts longer, and gives you that smooth finish that makes walls look flawless in photos.

If you're preparing a property for sale, don't guess on color. A quick consultation can save you from choosing something that turns buyers away. The right paint color is an investment that pays off at closing.