Avoiding (Seller) Guilt By Association
Blue tarp is almost as ubiquitous in residential real estate as duct tape.
Contractors use it to cover in-process projects.
Homeowners use it to 
cover outdoor lawn furniture, firewood, and anything else that might be exposed to the elements.
Unfortunately, at least in Minnesota after last year’s spate of Spring tornadoes, blue tarps have another association (at least to me): storm damage (and yes, by my count there are still several dozen homes in North Minneapolis swathed in blue tarps).
To avoid having prospective Buyers make that inference . . . I’d suggest using another color.
P.S.: In a (somewhat) similar vein, Sellers will often want to show off photos of their beautiful flowers, garden, etc., even if they’re selling their home in the middle of winter.
Make that, especially if they’re selling their home in the middle of winter.
Unfortunately, when Realtors see such out-of-season photos, they assume that the listing is either a foreclosure, very stale — or both.
That’s why I recommend leaving the photos on the Dining Room table, but only using seasonal photos on MLS.
