Brian Ripp ~ Your Bay Area & Fremont Real Estate & Financial Agent

The leading expert in color, Pantone, Inc., has made it stated that Turquoise was the “it” color for 2010.  But before you deck the house from top to bottom in the gemstone hue, consider the other latest trends.

Behr paint company says neutral is still in–think light colors such as grays, camels and off-whites.  Experts suggest buying bigger furniture such as sofas and armchairs in these safe colors, which never truly go out of style.  Complement neutrals with aqua and gold tones, but stay away from the darker browns, which are becoming passé.

While monochromatic schemes are still versatile and dependable, HGTV says the real winners in the color game right now are bold jewel colors such as ruby red or emerald green and the brighter the better–especially if it’s a purple hue.  Experts advise pairing these daring tones with a smoky charcoal or a softer black to give a room a vintage feel.

Going green and getting back to nature is a major trend, too.  Earthier tones, such as sand or yellow-greens, are perfect for living rooms or kitchens.  But going back to your roots doesn’t just mean dipping into Mother Earth’s favorite colors.  Decorators say Asian-inspired or tribal patterns are adorning decorative elements consumers look to get the most bang for their buck.  Think pillows, area rugs or murals as key items this season.

Before you put your home on the market,take the time to do a little “snooping” on your neighbors by comparing your home to others on the market and visiting open houses.  Visiting a few open houses can give you a better idea of what your home is worth and can highlight needed improvements.

If two or three houses that you visit, for example, have recently redone their roofs or windows, you probably should put those repairs toward the top of your to-do list, so your home doesn’t suffer from comparison once you start marketing it.

Visiting open houses also give you the chance to see how to “stage” your home to show its best features.  Take notice of what appeals to you as you walk through the house and what little things jump out at you that you may have overlooked in your own home.