IT'S the first thing you see when you pull up on the kerbside.
And home builders and renovators' choices of bright colours through to straight black are proving a departure from the brick norm.
At Orange City Council's meeting on Tuesday, councillors approved a house using an "earthy" light pink render at Spring Creek.
While staff described the colour as "probably not desirable" they deemed it would complement the surrounding native vegetation.
Williams Machin Real Estate agent Doone Grist said she had noticed people recently turning to blacks and very dark colours either on the entire facade or as a contrast colour on the eaves.
"They attract heat and now we're getting hotter summers, I actually I don't like it much, but other people are sticking with the off-whites and creams," she said.
Century 21 Combined Orange director Andrew Vogler said it was not only colour which could pop, but the finish - his agency currently has a property in Sampson Street listed with a distinctive textured render in pale yellow with mint green details.
"Some people like it and for some people it's a turn-off," he said.
A really bright colour might limit your buyer pool.
- Century 21 Combined Orange director Andrew Vogler
He said the trend in the past 10 years had been a splash of colour to articulate a detail.
"The designs have gone away from that in the last few years," he said.
By contrast, Ms Grist said a splash of colour could be a good addition to houses in newer subdivisions where building styles were similar.
Both agents agreed homeowners needed to be conscious of resale given the importance of the facade in making the first impression and starting the emotional connection with the buyer.
"If it's not to their liking, it's a turn-off straight away," Ms Grist said.
"I often feel that the things you like in a house, they're the things someone else will like as well, as long as it's not too out there," Mr Vogler said.
"A really bright colour might limit your buyer pool."
He said a well-finished facade could increase competition for a property and therefore bump up the sale price, but people could still inject a little personality.
"You can have your house looking a bit different without sticking out in the street," he said.
Council spokesman Allan Reeder said colour was one of a number of factors planners considered when assessing a development application for a new building.
"There aren't rules about specific colours," he said.
"A key consideration is how a house blends in with its surrounding environment."
In a rural setting it's about finding colours that will let a house blend in with the natural landforms that are the backdrop to the house.
- Council spokesman Allan Reeder
He said colour was also weighted against the size and bulk of the building, plus the materials proposed.
"In an urban setting it's about comparing colours between buildings," he said.
"In a rural setting it's about finding colours that will let a house blend in with the natural landforms that are the backdrop to the house."
The council's heritage adviser often offers advice on renovations in the heritage conservation areas, with residents able to meet with staff and apply for heritage grants to help with upkeep, from a total pool of $15,000.
Whatever the colour on a house, Ms Grist said nothing was permanent.
"You can always get it repainted," she said
