Think back to when you bought your mobile home. What was it that caught your attention in the first place? The exterior appearance of the vehicle, right? Specifically, the color of the platform. Well, you may be surprised to know that color plays a huge role in our purchasing decisions. Communicate what you think about yourself and your life. So now that you’re planning to sell your RV, you need to consider how the color of your vehicle affects its resale value. A simple paint job not only gives your RV a fresh new look, it can also serve to inspire buyers to buy your vehicle.

What colors work?

Depending on the color of your RV, the resale value can go up or down. According to the Kelley Blue Book, 50 percent of all new cars are black, white, or silver. That’s a huge number, and one that clearly indicates the prevailing trend among shoppers to choose a neutral shade rather than experiment with an unconventional one.

Neutral color options not only make an RV look more stylish, but also increase the aesthetic value of the vehicle compared to less conventional selections like lemon yellow or bright red. If you want to find buyers for your vehicle right away, you should stick to classics like silver, white, or gray. Aside from their obvious cosmetic appeal, these colors are also functional, showing fewer dents, scratches, and dirt. A study also indicates that white vehicles are part of fewer accidents, although the results are debatable.

Pay attention to trends

Just because traditional colors are “in” now, doesn’t mean they’ll be popular forever. So think about the type of buyer you want to target. Do you want to appeal to baby boomers who are prone to playing it safe with RV color, or do you want to appeal to the sensibilities of the millennial crowd who have become mainstream RV buyers and aren’t afraid of to experience?

Keep in mind, however, that if you own a limited or special edition RV, it’s best to keep the original color intact. Resale value may decrease if you paint over existing shade.

Also, if you’re interested in selling a more theft-proof RV, you should paint your vehicle a bright shade of yellow or pink. Why? Because, according to Edmund, thieves often target more conventional colors. Resale value is a big reason for them, and a bright color works just as well as any security device to deter them. The shiny appearance of your vehicle could therefore become its USP.

You don’t always have to play it safe

Next time you’re traveling or have parked at an RV campground, take a look. What are the colors you see? Most of them are painted in a “reliable” shade of black, white, chrome and silver. In fact, it often becomes difficult to tell the difference between two similarly painted RVs. That’s why some market segments are open to other color options. Dark green and dark red work well, for example, providing a welcome break from visual monotony without straying too far from the standard options.

The color of your motorhome matters more than you think. If you are planning to sell your RV now, you need to have your finger on the pulse of your target audience and decide which color will attract the most buyers. There’s no denying that visual appeal affects consumers’ buying decisions, and it might be worth spending some money to repaint your vehicle if it means attracting more buyers and giving you an edge over the competition.