Foolproof Facelift! and It's Free!

One of the easiest ways to give your home an inexpensive face lift is by painting.    Not only does it look fresh and clean, but you can change the feeling of your home with the swipe of a brush!

One of my first places, I had a great vision for the kitchen.   I was going to make it "garden-like"- a pretty green base, under white lattice.    What I got would have  un-nerved St. Patrick himself.  It was like stepping into a giant florescent shamrock!



If you are anything like me, you hesitate.   Why?
Could be you don't have an inspiration or,
you're afraid of what your color choice will look like in your room.      

Coloring inside the lines made easy with this free tool!  Sherman Williams Color Visualizer. 
  
It offers a personal color viewer where you can

• upload a photo of your own home,
• virtually paint it and
• visualize what it looks like with your own decor

(There are many others too, (Benjamin Moore, Ace, Glidden, etc. - But, I liked this the best!)


I wish I had seen this last week, before Teresa and I went out in search of paint colors for her "new look".     We hit a few stores including Hometown Paint in Franklin.   They also had a pretty cool thing there.  A display where you can view your chip under different simulated light options.


For more color tips...consult a Professional like
 Sandra Bouchard, Define by Redesign 

and visit these web sites.

All About Painting

HGTV on Choosing Color

         Have a decorating story of your own?    Or any advice?   Please feel free to comment below.


Looking to Sell your home, Buy or Rent?    Contact Me!    Carol-Ann Palmieri

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Painting.... Does it add value??

What you normally find on the cost vs value charts is things like kitchen/ bath renovations or deck replacements...but

2010-2011 Cost vs. Value Chart


The question is does freshening up your home with paint add value?   

with Christmas coming and my addiction to HGTV...
I gently (really Cal??)  urged Al to do a dining room makeover....
I thought, No Big deal really......
We are Realtors for crying out loud!    We know that bright homes are a Giant attraction for people!

... a little paint... new light... curtains...just brighten the place up a little.  

Well....it's done and that's all I'll say..other than, he did a great job....but,

Did we add value?

Probably not monetary value..
but what we really did, was improve the "sale-ability" of the home... and our life style at the same time....

and sale-ability is really important these days with so many homes on the market.....  it's the attraction that makes a buyer chose one home over another.... the more polished looking home with the perception of little to do, wins out every time....

so while we are all looking to gain value....
it's not just the monetary Value that  we need to consider....
sale-ability and lifestyle should be huge considerations on your list.   A fresh coat of paint is an easy, cost effective way to achieve this!
       
        and, oh by the way... 
        now the rest of the place looks shabby......

       should I wait till after Christmas to approach this??????

Okay......So, I'll admit it... I'm addicted!

to TV home shows that is....

I was out with a friend / Realtor today.  Her opinion was that Home TV shows have changed the way Buyers view real estate.   I have to admit that I agree.    We've all seen the designed to sell or fixing things on a dime shows.   I love them!   I love the way they can transform a home for a few dollars and get the place ready to sell or to make it look fab!......but, ....look again, is the change realistic for living?     or does it just look great?   

These days we have come to expect perfection...

Why not?   

Well, it could just might be that perfection is just not real world.... it's media world....

The reality is that there is always something left to do in a home.. regardless of price..... the expectation of perfect is unrealistic and breeds disappointment....

My first client of all time, convinced her husband that if they chose a particular home, he wouldn't have to do anything to fix it up for her......  several months later when i went to visit... the only thing left unchanged was the kitchen counter!

My point ....  you will always put your personal stamp on a home....a homeowner will naturally change things to suit their needs and lifestyle..

Real people live in their homes.....   key word "live".  

Don't let the TV expectation of the "perfect" home stop you from buying your perfect home!  

When looking at the home, go in with eyes wide open... look beyond the current owners lifestyle.....

If the home looks TV perfect... make sure it is real life "liveable"....  don't let that TV expectation seperate you from your "perfect" home!

in the meantime....  i'm tuning in .....    it's fun to watch and they do have some great ideas!!!       Yeap....  I'm addicted......