Market demands ‘colorful’ approach

When it comes to a home's exterior, color can be figuratively referred to as currency, according to experts.

With millions of homes across the country on the market, smart sellers are differentiating their houses and wowing potential buyers with color -- from the roof all the way down to the landscaping.

"Fortunately, you don't have to resort to beige siding and basic black shingles to play it safe when it comes to exterior color," said Leslie Segrete, co-host of the Money Pit home improvement radio show. "Contrast can be tastefully done with the home's enduring architectural elements, while bold or trendy can be reserved for elements that are more easily changed, like landscaping."

Whether you are selling your home in this competitive market or just creating a distinctive look you'll enjoy for years to come, there are several things to keep in mind when adding color to create curb appeal, experts say.

Homeowners might not think of their roof as a part of the overall aesthetic of their home, but it is one of the first things a buyer sees.

A roof can account for as much as half of the home's exterior, yet is an often-overlooked design opportunity.

"A new roof is certainly a selling point for a house, but an interesting new roof -- one that makes a statement with color or design -- can really help pump up curb appeal and enjoyment," Segrete said.

Color choices in asphalt shingles have been expanding in recent years, and it's no longer necessary to resort to costly materials -- like tile or slate -- to create a character-filled look.

Owens Corning, maker of a leading brand of roofing shingles, offers a wide selection of colors. Examples of a diamond motif and download information from the Owens Corning Web site can be found at owenscorning.com/ibs2008.

According to Segrete, classic, clean white consistently shows up at No. 1 in surveys of Americans' most popular color choices for homes. Earth tones of beige, green, brown or tan follow closely.