PAINTING TIPS- Sometimes lighting and shadows can make choosing a paint color a little tricky.  Try these tips for getting it just right!

1. Look to your favorite home-decorating magazines and tear out color schemes and ideas that appeal to you and take with you when shopping for paint.
2. Know that color is usually more intense on walls than it seems on a sample card.  Play it safe and go a shade or two lighter.Yellow and rosy tones give a room a warm feeling.  Greens, blues and grays give a cooler tone.
3. Avoid snow-white except in ultramodern, minimalist environments, because it will seem too harsh, giving a sterile, operating-room effect.  It’s better to go with a white that contains a hint of peach, beige, or pink.
4. Keep bold color schemes for areas such as bathrooms and dining rooms where you don’t spend as much time. That way if you tire quickly, changing it won’t be as large of a project!
5. Take fabric with you if you’re matching it, either a swatch, pillow or curtain panel for example.
6. Start small, buying just a quart or so of paint, and then paint a section of wall with a paintbrush or roller, or test the color on a good-size (perhaps 3 feet square) plywood or wallboard scrap, or on a piece of cardboard; set it against the walls in the room as the light changes (including artificial light) and evaluate it for a few days.
7. Test a two-tone scheme, such as wainscoting in one color and walls in another, by painting two boards or painting one board in both colors.  Repeat the test, tinkering with colors in small amounts until you’re satisfied.  While the cost for sampling various paints can add up, it is still better than applying the wrong color to an entire room and having to repaint!

PREPARING HOME FOR AN OPEN HOUSE

• Hire a professional cleaning service to clean your home.  It will be one of your best investments. A dirty home is difficult to sell.
• Cut your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.
• Check your front door area – clear away cobwebs, hose down muddy siding, if front door is faded give it a fresh coat of paint and in season – add a pot of flowers to greet your buyers.
• Store valuables, jewelry, money and any prescription medications out of sight. Your agent’s goal is to get as many buyers through as possible and with a good turn out it’s impossible to watch everyone at the same time. Besides, no buyer likes having the agent follow them around – most buyers want some space while touring your home.
• Keep all lights on, incandescent lights add sparkle and keep the drapes open, let the sunshine brighten up each room.
• If you have pets, take them with you. You want to make your home welcome to your buyer and your pet’s natural instinct is to protect his territory. 
• Add flowers for a fresh and colorful touch.
• Revitalize your bathroom with new curtains, fresh towels and guest soaps.
• Use fresh scent air fresheners to kill odors – no one will enjoy the bacon smell from breakfast.
• Put out a Welcome doormat.
• Re-arrange the rooms to provide spaciousness.

THINKING ABOUT MAKING A CHANGE?

If you or someone you know is thinking about making a change now is the time to contact me.  As a seller, I can provide you with a personalized home market analysis that will reflect a list price that is compatible with today’s market.  As a buyer I can introduce you to lenders who will help you find the loan product that is right for your needs.

Call me today at 515/577-2412 or email me at Virginia@RealEstateConcepts.net.

Watch for updates to my blog. I will strive to provide information that will help protect your current home investment.