Curb appeal may very well be one of the most important aspects of a home to spruce up when selling. Why is this, you ask? First impressions. Whether it be an open house or an individual showing, the outside of a house is the first thing a homebuyer physically sees. And it’s their first impression of your home. First impressions set the pace of a showing. If the landscaping is lacking or nonexistent and the homebuyer is not excited to be viewing your home then it could leave them with a less than favorable impression, all before they step foot inside. If the house is exuding with appeal the homebuyer will be excited and eager to see more. This is not to say that the homebuyer will purchase solely because of the curb appeal. The rest of the home should reflect what made that potential homeowner as excited as when they first pulled up and laid eyes on the house and accompanying land. Here are a few tips to maximize curb appeal: Paint: A fresh paint job lays the foundation of curb appeal. Painting or siding an entire home can be expensive, but painting the front door, porch and stairs can be fairly inexpensive and take only a day or two. Try adding a pop of color to the front door to really make your home stand out from the rest. Mulch: Is there anything better than freshly laid mulch? The smell alone can set the tone at a showing, but it’s the color that brings it home. Try choosing dark colored mulch with a light colored home to really make it stand out. Flowers & Bushes: Who doesn’t like flowers? You really can’t go wrong with any type of flower; they are all beautiful. However, it’s best to choose low maintenance flowers and bushes just incase the next homeowner isn’t looking for extensive yard work. The added color from the flowers and bushes only enhances the amazing curb appeal you will have when you’re done. Lawn & Yard: Maintaining a healthy lawn and clean yard is essential. Burnt or patches of missing grass make the yard look unkempt and not cared for. To ensure bright, green grass invest in a spring clean up of the yard (many landscaping companies offer this service), which includes raking, fertilizing, mowing, etc. Seeding may also be necessary in areas of missing grass. Continue to water and mow throughout the spring, summer and fall for maximum beauty. Lastly, messy yards that include items that pile up over time such as toys, wood, etc. should be tidied up. Curb appeal is not only important when selling a home but also maintaining the value of a home. A house is an investment so make sure to take care of it. Creating and maintaining curb appeal is just one way of caring for your home. Now get to it and good luck!]]>
Painting Your Home
Painting a home can transform the dullest and mundane home into an inspiring haven where you’ll always love to be. It also increases the value of the home substantially. In some cases, you may want to do it yourself. This has its inherent benefits as not only is it fun, you would be saving some cash in the process. Here are some steps you need to follow to get it right. 1. Take a tour of your house and develop a vision of how you want the house to look like. What colors do you want and in what shades do you want the color? If you are preparing the house for sale, your choice of colors should be neutral, blending easily with the furniture. 2. Get Others To Agree: There are other family members who are surely interested in the issue at hand. Discuss with them and get their opinion before embarking on your quest. 3. Estimate: Since you are not a professional, you need to make your guess as reasonable as possible. The amount of paint required depends on the area to be painted and the number of coats per area. Be sure to include the cost of tools required for the process. 4. Plan The Budget: The budget for the project depends on a lot of factors some of which are:
- Paint Quality
- Paint Area
- Grade of tools
How To Choose The Right Wall Color
Selecting the perfect color can be difficult. Using a color wheel is a good idea when trying to come up with a color scheme, or colors with confidence. When using a color wheel remember opposites attract, each one of these opposite colors complement each other. When using complementary colors make sure one color is more subtle than the other. Another way to use the color wheel is to use colors next to each other. These are related colors which create a less contrasting effect. Using the color wheel you can also choose a monochromatic scheme. This is created by taking any one of the 12 color hues on the wheel and repeating it in various shades, tints and tones. Using the color palates base on one basic color gives you the monochromatic effect. Choosing this style can make the process of coming up with a good color scheme in your home a little easier by having one general color in mind. This style helps to create an elegant look for your home because all the colors flow so smoothly together. Incorporating colors into the home can be over whelming for some people. A good way to see what colors work well together is to look at wrapping paper and gift bags. In the gift wrap isle you will see unusual color combinations that you may be able to bring into your home. Your color scheme can also be inspired by simply pulling colors from the furnishing in the room. No matter how you decide on a color scheme don’t be afraid to take a chance. Remember paint is very forgiving it can always be changed if you are unhappy with the results.]]>
Interior Painting Tips
Painting the interior of your home is an inexpensive way of increasing its value. It improves the overall look of your home, while adding style and allure. It is not uncommon with residential home owners to take on this task themselves. Do it yourself projects such as painting can be fun, while saving money at the same time. The following outline will help you get started. Have a clear picture Having a clear picture of what you want the end result to look like is very important. Visit each room in the house and note the look and feel you desire for each area. Keep in mind that the new wall color should coordinate with the current furnishings in each room. Assuming you are painting the home for resale, keep the colors neutral, and consistent throughout the house. Discuss with others Talk with all the members of your household, and share your painting plans with them. Ask for their ideas, discuss your choice of colors, and listen to their input. It is important to be open to new ideas, you never know who might come up with the perfect solution to a problem area. Calculate Paint Needed At this stage, you need to determine the area to be covered and the quantity of paint required to completely cover each area. You need to take into consideration how many coats of paint will be needed to produce your desired finish on each wall. Estimating the amount of paint needed is quite simple. Measure the height of the wall and multiply it by the length. This will give you the area to be painted. Calculate the area of windows and doors present on each wall and subtract it from the overall area. Make Your Budget The price of paint varies depending on the quality. A professional can best guide you to the type of paint and the finish that will best meet your needs. You will also need to allow money in your budget for the equipment needed to complete your painting project. Much like the paint, the quality and price will vary on items such as brushes, rollers, painter’s tape and drop cloths. Again, a professional can recommend how to best utilize your equipment budget. Planning and Preparation Planning is key, it is best to estimate how long the job will take before you get started. You will need to plan your household activities around your painting schedule. Leave a little extra time in your work schedule for those unforeseen circumstances to avoid over whelming yourself. Clear the room:
- Remove all furniture from the room to be painted, clearing out as much as possible. For rooms that have very heavy furniture, move them to the center of the room and cover them with a drop cloth to avoid accidental paint spills/spatters.
- Prior to painting, walls need to be prepared. Use a scraper to remove old paint or a steamer to remove old wallpaper. Holes should be filled and the wall surface made smooth. Seek the guidance of a professional on how to best prepare the surface of your walls as the technique will vary based on the construction of the wall. Tape off the trim work around the doors, windows and flooring, and use drop cloths to protect the carpet and floors.
- The purpose of priming is to prepare the wall for the application of paint. Priming covers irregularities and stains, making the paint adhere to the wall much more effectively. Priming makes the surface uniform for the application of the new paint, basically giving the painter a clean canvas to start with.
Paint Easier
Painting is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to change the look of your home. Getting started and knowing what to do is usually the hardest part but the following tips these tips will help to make your painting projects easier. These instructions and suggestions can save you time and effort while helping you end up with a better-looking paint job. PREPARE THE SURFACE Clean the surface to be painted. Fill in any cracks or holes with putty before starting the painting job. Caulk all joints, cracks and seams in the surface before painting. Check around the window panes for loose or missing putty. Replace the putty in these areas before starting the painting job. Use drop cloths to cover floors, furniture, etc. PAINTING POINTERS Thoroughly mix the paint. Pour off, into another container, any thin portion of the paint that is floating on top. Use a paddle to stir the paste settled in the bottom of the can. Pouring the paint back and forth from one container to another will help thoroughly mix the paint. Line your roller tray with a plastic tray liner or aluminum foil it will save you a lot of clean up time in the end. Always use the flat side of the brush when you’re painting corners. CLEANING UP Cleaning the brushes carefully after each painting job is done and then wrapping and storing them for future use. Fold wax paper around the brush and seal it with a rubber band. Clean rollers in the same basic way as paintbrushes. Take time to clean them thoroughly. Wash latex paints out of a brush with clear warm water. Following the quick and simple tips will have you with a whole new look and a clean and easy paint job.]]>