Painting | South Eastern Connecticut Landscaping

23 Nov

Large Wall Décor: Paneling Versus Painting

Author: admin // Category: Home Gardening, Tips

I admit that I get a lot of satisfaction when I design a room and implement the plan to flawless perfection. When I first look at a room, the idea that pops in my mind is this: What color am I going to paint it? Honestly, the idea of paneling for the walls never enters the arena. Don’t even get me started on wallpapering; that’s a whole different evil monster.

In my opinion, the fundamental idea of paneling is that it can be used to cover areas that are difficult to paint/wallpaper or where you need something that can be put up quickly. As a person that has spent many a year in rental units, I have seen paneling put up as a way to cover nasty wallpaper, holes in the wall and more.

It is also often used in basements because it can be difficult to paint concrete, so paneling is used to cover the bare brick. There are many types of paneling out there in various qualities, but I have never been a fan of it myself.

As a die-hard do-it-yourselfer, I have a dislike for anything fake, and paneling is the epitome of false everything. It not only pretends to be part of the wall, but it also isn’t even the material that it is supposed to look like. Wood grain paneling is just wrong.

Other than the obvious advantages that paneling has, painting has always been the way to go for me. It takes a lot longer, is dirtier and more painstaking, but the end result can be breathtaking. I also enjoy the painting process.

There is something satisfying about getting out the tarp, taping the baseboards, applying the primer and finally painting the room. That’s something I never got from paneling. Maybe I have been jaded by all the rental experiences and seeing the 1970s fruit wallpaper hidden behind the faux wood grain.

I have always felt that painting is something you do to a home and paneling is something you do to a rental. Painting means ownership and paneling means a quick fix. I have no problem paneling my basement and covering up the brick, but I will never voluntarily have paneling in the main living areas of my home.

Has anyone out there had good experiences with paneling or prefer it over painting? I would be more than welcome to hear the views and re-evaluate my decision.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/nirak/3899496106

Vegetable Garden Layout with Raised Beds for 2011

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17 Jan

How to Get a Higher Appraisal For Your Home

Author: admin // Category: Tips

If you’re trying to sell your home in today’s market, you may be faced with a lowball appraisal that could threaten a loan. Even the nicest houses are being downgraded, and if your area has had a lot of foreclosures, getting a good appraisal may be next to impossible. However, there are some great techniques that you can employ that can affect your appraisal value by more than 15%.

First, it is important to know where to start in your home. If you have a basement that is not yet finished, you may think that adding some rooms and living space down there will help your appraisal. In actuality, it is the above ground living space that is worth more, so you will want to focus your efforts on the first floor.

While painting, cleaning and generally keeping the house tidy can affect an appraisal, it won’t do much good if you’re looking for a big jump in the amount. What you need to do on the inside of your home is work on bringing in appliances and fixtures that are valuable, both in perception and in use. For example, adding a marble countertop to your kitchen will add more value than covering an old one with contact paper (and yes, that is pretty common.)

Likewise, completely redoing and remodeling your kitchen to include brand new stainless steel appliances will also bump your appraisal up. When you’re looking at the interior of your home, the focus needs to be on items that matter, such as those mentioned above. However, the interior is secondary to the exterior when it comes to a high appraisal value.

By focusing on the exterior of your property you can see a huge improvement in the overall appraisal amount. Landscaping alone can be responsible for a low or a high appraisal, depending on how it is done. According to a Gallup poll, landscaping can increase the overall value of a home by 7 to 15%. Let’s say your home is worth $250,000. The right landscaping has the potential to change that to $287,500 or more.

One tree can be worth anywhere from $1000 to $10,000, once it is mature. If you think about how little it takes to plant one tree, that is very impressive. So, your first focus should be on the yard area and your overall landscaping. Hiring a professional company can help, but most of these tasks can be completed on your own.

How your house looks will also have a big impact on the appraisal value. If it has been a few years since you painted, or your yard is full of junk, this will result in a lower appraisal. Your goal is to make your house look like a million bucks from the street, and this will help you get a higher appraisal. In addition, by focusing on that curb appeal, you’ll be much more likely to sell the home for the full amount that you need.

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