Downsides of carpet allowance in lieu of new carpet

Sellers often ask if they can just provide a carpet allowance on a listing in lieu of installing new carpet. In their mind, this is a benefit to the buyer since it allows the buyer to choose their own color and style of carpet. The benefit to the seller is they don't have to deal with the inconvenience of a carpet installation. In my experience a seller is much better off to install new carpet themselves BEFORE listing the home - if new carpet is needed of course. Why? Fresh new carpet makes the home show much better. Buyers often have a hard time picturing new carpet in a home. All they see … Continue reading...

Inexpensive updates to your home can help it sell fast

You don't need a big budget to update your home for a faster sell. There are a number of relatively minor updates you can do yourself that will have a big impact when it comes time to sell your home. Interior designer Carriann Johnson talks about seemingly small (and inexpensive) projects that have a big impact on your home's appeal. Create a strong first impression by painting or replacing your front door. Reface or paint worn kitchen cabinets rather than replacing. Update the hardware on your kitchen cabinets and bathrooms help freshen up and modernize the look. Add a fresh coat of … Continue reading...

Preparing Your Home for Sale – Making an Entrance

First impressions are everything. I can't tell you how many times I have walked in with a buyer and they are sold on the first impression. I can tell it when their eyes light up, their face shines, breathing becomes short, and a hand reaches up to catch their breath. Buyers will look around in amazement, noticing all the awesome features in the home they love, and often overlooking minor issues they would otherwise see. Many people say "We knew this was the home the moment we walked in the front door!" As a home seller in central Oklahoma, how do you get buyer's jaws to drop when they walk … Continue reading...

Concrete Painting Basics

Summer is a great time for home improvement projects. One affordable project that can really improve the look of your home is to paint the concrete - in your garage, living room, or patio. Like most painting jobs, the key to success is in preparation. 1. Clean the concrete Cleaning concrete is a vital first step because the porous surface tends to trap dirt, grease, and oil. Remove dirt and grease with trisodium phosphate ($6.30 per quart concentrate), or choose a more Earth-friendly cleaner like Krud Kutter’s pre-paint cleaner ($10 for 32 ounces). Yank off vines and moss growing on the … Continue reading...

10 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job

Step 1: Get the lead out Do-it-yourselfers are not obligated to follow EPA regulations for lead-safe practices, as professional paint contractors must. But if your home was built before 1978, when lead paint was banned for residential use, you should protect yourself and your neighbors from airborne lead particles. The first step is to test for lead paint: Kits are available for $10 to $35 online, and at paint and hardware stores. If tests prove positive for lead, keep paint dust to a minimum by taking the following precautions. Lay plastic drop cloths and collect scrapings. Clean area with … Continue reading...

Need to Know How to Paint Anything? There’s an App for That

Acting on the theory that a new coat of paint makes anything look better, Better Homes & Gardens has launched a new app for iOS devices that helps you paint anything better. “How To Paint Anything” (99 cents) is a nifty tool that tells you, step-by-step, how to apply paint to any surface you can imagine — door hardware, exterior doors, room divider screens, ceramic tile, and of course, walls and floors. If you’ve never painted before, the app has information and videos on must-have painting tools, brushes, sheens and the all-important prep. But even if you’re painting proficient, the app … Continue reading...

Exterior Paints and Stains: A Guide to the Options

To choose the best exterior paint or stain for your job, match the coating to your house, the Oklahoma climate, and the look you want. One key to how long an exterior finish lasts is how well the surface is prepared. But equally important is the choice of the paint or stain itself. Using high-quality materials, matching them to your house and climate, and conducting regular maintenance will extend the time between recoatings. Expect to pay $35 to $45 per gallon for conventional premium paint or stain. "Green," or zero-VOC, products run $45 to $55 per gallon. A gallon covers 350 to 400 square … Continue reading...