Check out this story from Houzz - I commented that I used to worry about mixing too many woods until I read the article.. http://houzz.com.au/sr/m=7/u=L2lkZWFib29rcy81NjI5NTA4NQ==

Thanks, Sylvia. This is the first time I have had timber in a new build. The stairs are only a bit over one year old, do not get heavy traffic and have no visible or noticeable scratches. Having said that, I just don't know the exact product the painter used, but I will post it as soon as I find out. The painter is very exacting and fussy about what products he uses.

If you were selling , are you sure you will recoup the extra $$$$ ? Get it wrong , and a potential buyer will walk and/or offer $50k less , whereas if you leave it as it is , they will know it needs replacing , offer $10k less , but you have gotten an offer ! Just me , but what I would do is rip up the fake tile lino in the foyer ( I assume it is lino -- it doesn't look to be 'proper' tiled ? ) , and do that in a darkish timber laminate -- slightly lighter than the front door , slightly darker than the stairs . Or go really dark -- almost a dark weathered grey or a similar dark brown to the drawer unit in the lounge -- the rest of the colourings will lighten it a bit , but it will all tie in . OR actually tile it , maybe a black or charcoal gloss marble or marble effect with lighter streaks through it ? The house and colourings look an older style , this continues that theme , but I feel white or beige tiles would look too bland . $2k max instead of $10k -- marble tiles may be more than $2k , but up to you .

With pine flooring a clear coat will go quite yellow over time. You can either stain to darken the timber or you can a natural raw look finish similar to a white wash that will keep it light. Problem with pine is that’s it’s quite soft it will dint and scratch more easily and a darker stain will highlight these opposed to a lighter finish.