Color resonates in distinct ways for different people. During the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, some gravitated toward soothing neutrals while others immersed themselves in bright, uplifting colors. Now, as we begin to imagine a post-pandemic world, the colors that fill our homes and lives will again vary widely, but certain trends are likely to emerge—and some experts are already predicting the top 2022 paint colors. Each year, paint companies and color experts reveal their picks for the shade that best encapsulates the current period. Their choices for color of the year often draw on trends in pop culture, fashion, technology, and design from around the world, and the results are starting to roll in for 2022. Benjamin Moore is the latest major paint company to announce its selection, but there will be many more to come. See if this popular shade resonates with you, then check back to find out all the 2022 colors of the year as they’re announced. October Mist by Benjamin Moore  Benjamin Moore’s pick for 2022 color of the year is a soft, silvery green called October Mist 1495. This botanical shade mimics the pale green of a flower stem and serves as the foundation for the brand’s larger 2022 color trends palette. The assortment includes 14 nature-inspired hues that span tinted off-whites, warm earth tones, and refreshed primary colors.  “October Mist 1495 and the corresponding color trends 2022 palette reflects an effortless harmony of colors while inspiring unique combinations for any paint project,” said Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore’s director of color marketing and development, in a press release. Combine the gentle tones of October Mist with a rich dark shade like Gloucester Sage HC-100 to add warmth and depth to a monochromatic palette. For a crisp look, bring out this color of the year’s cool undertones with an icy blue-green like Quiet Moments 1563 or the inky blue-black Mysterious AF-565. All of the shades from the color trends 2022 palette, including October Mist, are available on Benjamin Moore’s website and at local paint and hardware retailers nationwide. Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams Sherwin-Williams selected the subtly soothing Evergreen Fog SW 9130 as its 2022 color of the year. The mid-tone gray-green signifies a shift away from the cool neutrals and brilliant jewel tones that have previously dominated paint color trends. This familiar, organic color can extend a comforting welcome in entryways, establish quiet and calm in bedrooms or bathrooms, and introduce restorative energy to living rooms, kitchens, and other common areas. Related: Sherwin-Williams Forecasts the Bright, Optimistic Colors That Will Define 2022 “Evergreen Fog is a sophisticated wash of color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, in a press release. “Evergreen Fog inspires us to begin again and is a great choice for modern interiors and exteriors.” Wadden suggests complementing the color with warm, earthy neutrals, such as beige, camel, or coffee brown. Then bring in additional layers of texture with natural materials including wood, leather, jute, and rattan. For a polished look that veers more glam, try incorporating a mix of metal finisheslike warm brass, light gold, or matte black. You can find Evergreen Fog at Sherwin-Williams stores nationwide. Valspar 2022 Colors of the Year  Instead of naming a singular color of the year, Valspar curated a palette of 12 nature-inspired hues that represent our current craving for comfort and calm. These 2022 colors of the year encompass warm neutrals, dusty pastels, and soothing blues and greens, ranging from light and subtle to dramatically dark. Each shade was selected for its ties to nature and ability to foster a peaceful, optimistic mindset. “Colors can power moods, energizing us with confidence, strength, and curiosity—allowing us to express ourselves with color anywhere—whether it be a full room, an accent wall, trim or furniture,” said Sue Kim, Valspar color marketing manager, in a press release. “Valspar’s 2022 Colors of the Year provide consumers a wide range of naturally based warm colors that will not only help calm the nerves and boost the mood but also provide a confidence in what the future may hold.” Incorporate these trending colors into your home on walls, cabinetry, trim, and more, selecting shades that help foster the mood you want to create. For example, envelop a bedroom in luxurious comfort with walls painted in deep-blue Mountain River 4005-6C, and incorporate warm wood accents and warm lavender Lilac Lane 1002-4B for a lift. Or combine off-white Gilded Linen 6002-1A with the coppery tones of Rustic Oak 2007-7B for inviting warmth in living rooms and entryways. Blanched Thyme 6001-4Aand Grey Suit 4004-2A are both great for encouraging balance and well-being in home offices, bathrooms, or kitchens. All of Valspar’s colors of the year are available at Lowe’s stores, Lowes.com, and independent retailers nationwide. Aleutian by HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams  Like a well-worn pair of faded blue jeans, Aleutian HGSW3355 from HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams embodies comfort and relaxation. Named the brand’s 2022 color of the year, this washed-out indigo serves as the foundation of a larger 2022 color collection called Softened Refuge. Combining soft neutrals with muted earth tones, the mix of 10 complementary hues is intended to create “a sense of comfort and calmness with color,” said Ashley Banbury, senior color designer for HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, in a press release. “This palette is designed to simplify color selection for a perfectly coordinated home design.” Aleutian pairs well with any shade from the collection, including off-white, warm tan, or dusty slate. Because the blue-gray hue has a slightly warm undertone, it offers a balanced look and a restful tone that works equally well in common areas like kitchens or living rooms and private spaces including bedrooms and bathrooms. Layer in plenty of texture with natural wood tones and neutral textiles to enhance Aleutian’s comforting vibe. All of the colors in the Softened Refuge collection are available exclusively in Lowe’s stores and at Lowes.com. Guacamole by Glidden A zingy shade called Guacamole PPG1121-5 is Glidden’s pick for the 2022 color of the year. This ripe avocado-green delivers crowd-pleasing color that’s both relaxing and refreshing. In a press release, the brand noted that online searches for green paint colors have more than doubled since 2020, indicating that homeowners are seeking colors that soothe.  “We’ve all saved beautiful green kitchens and earthy-inspired bedrooms on our Pinterest boards and TikToks over the past year and a half, driven by our need for calm, regrowth, and rejuvenation after living through these ‘unprecedented times,'” said Kim Perry, Glidden paint color guru.  In kitchens and bathrooms, pair Guacamole with classic white subway tile and matte black accents for a timeless mix. For living areas, home offices, and bedrooms, try it with light wood tones and plenty of plants (either real or faux) to enhance the calming, organic vibe. Breezeway by Behr Behr’s 2022 color of the year is a cool, refreshing shade of green called Breezeway MQ3-21. The soft, silvery blue-green is reminiscent of sea glass found along sandy beaches and the crystal-clear water of a tucked-away bay. Because of its ties to nature, Breezeway establishes a feeling of tranquility, but its crisp brightness can also inspire energy and liveliness. Erika Woelfel, Behr’s vice president of color and creative services, calls Breezeway “a color that welcomes a hopeful sense of renewal, restoration, and healing.” Mixed with bright white and jet-black accents, Breezeway offers snappy contrast and a clean look that’s perfect for an entryway or kitchen. Paired with soft cream, warm taupe, and natural wood tones, it takes on a soothing, peaceful vibe that works well in bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas where relaxation is the goal. The breezy color has a distinctly coastal feel, but it also blends beautifully with contemporary and vintage-inspired designs. You can find the paint color exclusively at The Home Depot. Olive Sprig by PPG PPG selected a soft, organic shade of green called Olive Sprig PPG1125-4 as its 2022 color of the year. Reminiscent of a soothing aloe vera plant or velvety sage leaves, the gray-green color was chosen to represent regrowth and the resiliency of nature as we adapt to new ways of living post-pandemic. The lush mid-tone feels familiar and grounding, and it’s versatile enough to be used as a livelier alternative to traditional neutrals. “DIYers, property managers, designers, and architects are shifting away from the stark, neutral palettes of yesterday and opting for color in all forms,” said Amy Donato, senior color marketing manager at PPG paint, in a press release. “Call it rebellion, but we are certainly here for the resurgence of optimistic colors to guide us into a new era of home design.”  Paint walls in Olive Sprig to encourage focus in an office, incorporate soothing color into a bathroom, or promote restfulness in a bedroom. The color also looks gorgeous on kitchen cabinetry brightened up with polished brass accents and balanced with plenty of white. Because of its organic quality, Olive Sprig blends beautifully with natural materials and textures such as rich leather upholstery, woven jute rugs, and wood furniture. You can find the paint color online and at PPG paint stores, The Home Depot, and other independent retailers nationwide. -Better Homes & Garden

Are you thinking of selling but feel overwhelmed and like you’re forgetting the crucial steps you have to take when you list your home? We know you want to sell in record time and for top dollar, but you may feel a little stressed right now. With the proper approach and a little effort, your home can be sold in no time at a competitive price. Keep reading to find out our 7 best-kept secrets to selling your home. The First Impression is the ONLY Impression No matter how amazing the inside of your home looks, buyers are already making judgments and forming their opinions before they even walk through the door. Remember, when it comes to selling, you will never have a second chance to make another first impression. That’s why having good curb appeal is the first secret to sell your home. As buyers approach your property, it is important to make them feel welcomed and safe. Typically, you can get 100% return on the money you put into the exterior of your home. Price it Right Find out what your home is actually worth (use our free home valuation here). After seeing your updated evaluation of your home, it is important that you list your home with a proper pricing strategy for our market. Our team is very good on pricing and know exactly how to get the best price for your home and move it in the fastest time with the least amount of hassle. If you would like to chat about selling your home and where to price it, give a call today or schedule a time for us to contact you here. De-Personalize your home One important tip to take note of when trying to sell your home is to “take the home out of your house” and de-personalize it. The more stuff that is personal in your home, the less that potential buyers can visualize themselves living there. You should be getting rid of or storing a third of the stuff in your home. Some specific things to take out include family photos, personal keepsakes, any distinctive family items, as well as pets. You may think that everyone would love to see your cute little pup but not everyone loves dogs or cats. Make sure to hide any pet food bowls, kitty litter box, and pet toys and take your pets to a friends house or a pet hotel during your open house. Light it up Did you know we’re psychologically programmed to move toward light? It’s true, Nobody likes a gloomy or a dark room! Good lighting is something every buyer wants in a home, and the right lighting has the power to liven up and add style to a home. So open those curtains, clean the windows, increase the wattage of your lightbulbs and trim bushes to allow the most light. Whether you have to create light or showcase the natural light, focus on making your home bright and cheery in order to sell it faster. Hire a tech-savvy listing agent The person you hire for the job could make or break the sale of your home. Your agent should be not only extremely knowledgeable about the MLS and comps in your neighborhood but also tech-savvy. Agents who embrace technology have many tools to gain digital exposure for your home. Sticking a for sale sign in your yard and relying only on traditional advertising methods is not enough anymore. Versatility and innovation are key qualities modern listing agents must have in our digital world.  Focus on the kitchen Your kitchen is arguably the most important room in your home to a buyer. If you do remodel your kitchen, there’s a good chance you will recoup most of your investment during the sale. You could spend a few thousand dollars on necessary updates but if you don’t, a buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen looks dated. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include a fresh coat of paint and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutral paint color so buyers can envision themselves making the space their own. Always be ready to show Your house needs to be “show-ready” at all times. You have to be available whenever they want to come to see the place and it has to be in immaculate condition. Don’t leave dishes in the sink, keep visible surfaces decluttered and make sure the bathrooms sparkle. It’s a little inconvenient, but it will get your home sold.

Making the decision between buying a home or building a home can be very difficult to determine. However, when you are making any large financial decision, it is always in your best interest to seek advice from a professional. To help you with your decision, we decided to bring you a few Pros and Cons of Building vs. Buying. Lot & Landscape Building Building allows you to shop around for the lot/property that is perfect for you. However, finding that perfect lot is not so simple and can become very time consuming, stressful, and expensive. Also, the building process can take as long as 6-12 months before you can move in and enjoy your new home. Buying When purchasing an existing home, you will find homes that have a mature landscape, which will save you the time and money of establishing the yard. Buying often takes making a few sacrifices of design, layout, and features you may desire. That is where we come in to help find the perfect house. Efficiency Building Building will allow you to have the up-to-date products and efficiency standards built right into the design of your home. This can help reduce utility bills and the energy costs that your home intakes. Buying When it comes to buying, you can always update to the modern technologies and efficiencies in the existing home. If you receive a good deal when purchasing the home, you may have the budget left over to make those energy upgrades. Building Standards and Control Building One benefit of building is that the materials being used to build your home are new and that your home will be built using the modern day codes and regulations. Another benefit is that you will have warranties on many of the products used to build your new home. Buying Existing homes can be ready for you to move in. However, you can always remodel the home to have the features or design you want. There are many properties on the market where the leg work has already been done. We can help you find those homes!