The decision to sell your house is not one you have taken lightly. And once you've made that decision you will soon confront another decision. Should I paint the house before I sell it, or should I just put it on the market as is? The answer may surprise you.

The first question to ask is does the house need painting? The easiest way to answer that one is to stand across the street from your house and look at it. Does it appear faded? If the answer is yes then it is almost always best to paint the house before putting it on the market. Especially in a tight market many buyers are looking for a house not needing immediate maintenance such as painting.

If you decide to paint keep in mind this tip. People in general respond positively yellow paint. Yellow on the trim will create a favorable impression. It will also create a good impression if the main color is yellow. Stick to conventional colors, avoid unusual colors and you will appeal to the broadest audience.