Country music singer Jana Kramer announced two significant milestones in only four days – firstly, her pregnancy – and secondly, the sale of her Nashville home.
'Our house has officially sold, and this is our last week,' she announced via Instagram. 'A lot of emotions as I pack up the four years me and the kiddos spent in this house…I had some of the hardest years of my life in this home, but I also had the greatest times of my life too. I'm so grateful for all the memories…good and bad.'
The singer, also known for starring in One Tree Hill, built her mansion with her ex-husband, Mike Caussin, but remained in the home, with her children, after their divorce. 'We are so ready for our next chapter and a new fresh space,' she adds.
When we consider its curb appeal, however, it is unsurprising this home was snapped up quickly. Jana is pictured alongside the monochromatic façade – featuring black light fixtures and olive trees that contrast smartly with the white-painted front. It is the latter, that real estate agents say, is the secret to a sale.
So what makes this exterior paint color so influential?
'In my experience, painting a house white and adding black accents is a magic formula and the best shortcut to creating a timeless, smart appeal,' comments H&G's Editor in Chief Lucy Searle, who has been flipping properties for 30 years.
'I tend to have a white-painted front door because I think it looks less forbidding than a black one, but I do tend to choose black plant pots for either side of the door and black light fittings because they are set off well by the white paint and the green of foliage. I would add that if you're going for a black and white house color scheme, elegant planting is a must to soften it.'
'White is a classic neutral shade that can instantly brighten up the exterior of your home and increase its curb appeal. It will make your house look clean, fresh, and inviting to potential buyers or visitors,' says Washington-based agent Keith Sant.
Keith Sant is a licensed real estate agent from Kind House Buyers. As a real estate professional, land developer, and investment advisor, he aims to assist clients in achieving their dream homes. Since founding Kind House Buyers in 2018, Keith and his team have purchased over 200 Washington homes (and counting).
Keith explains that most buyers are attracted to white's versatility – setting the perfect base for whatever exterior you want to create.
'White works well with any style of architecture and looks good with any type of trim or accents you may choose for your home,' he says. 'It's timeless and won't quickly go out of style like some other trendy colors can – making it a smart choice for those looking to maintain their curb appeal for many years.'
And, while making our front yards look nice is particularly important while selling, the expert explains that white will continue to impress years after a sale. And ease of maintenance only attracts long-term buyers further.
'A white paint job is less likely to fade in direct sunlight and requires less maintenance than colors, which may need to be repainted yearly,' he says.
As Keith explains, white paint is the most impactful way to add curb appeal, but there are other Jana Kramer-inspired ways to elevate our exteriors without picking up a paintbrush.
The singer has dressed her exteriors with olive trees – both of which create the first impression needed to sell a home.
'To add instant curb appeal, go for a few larger plants to create more impact. Potted shrubs or trees, such as olive trees, look particularly effective when placed either side of a front door, as Jana has done outside her home,' comments H&G's head of gardens, Beth Murton.
Beth has been a journalist for 20 years, most recently as editor of Gardeningetc, and head of gardens for Homes & Gardens. Her own garden is a really important part of her family home, and she has recently built several raised beds for a veg patch, increased the size of the flowerbeds to find room for yet more of her favorite David Austin roses and her husband's ever-increasing collection of hostas.
Beth adds that matching oversized planters frame the entrance (like the trees below), and opting 'for a neutral tone 'ensures the green of the foliage really stands out'.
'Remember that anything growing in a container will require more watering than if it grows in the ground, so keep this in mind when choosing your plants.'
Whether we're selling – or not – it's the perfect time to improve our curb appeal for summer – just as Jana might intended.
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