6 Painting Tips for Freshening Up Exteriors

6 Painting Tips for Freshening Up Exteriors

On April 16, 2012, in Curb Appeal, Remodeling Adviser, by Melissa Tracey

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Photo Credit: Paint Quality Institute

Springtime is the best time to give a home a fresh coat of paint, according to the Paint Quality Institute.

“By painting in moderate weather, you’ll likely get a longer-lasting paint job,” says Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert for the Paint Quality Institute. Zimmer says that exterior painting is best to do when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but not when it gets too hot. “Very hot days can cause the paint to dry too quickly and impair good paint film formation,” she notes.

Some more tips for exterior painting from Zimmer:

1. Paint in the shade and avoid painting in direct sunshine. Sunlit surfaces can be 10 to 20 degrees hotter than the air temperature.

2. Don’t paint when it’s too windy. Wind can cause latex paint to dry too quickly as well as cause dust and other contaminates to imbed in the paint, possibly creating a surface ripe for mildew, Zimmer says.

3. Avoid the rain. Wait for another day if it’s rained within the last 24 hours. If several days of rain is forecast, postpone your painting for several days until a rain-free week.

4. Prime the surface. Apply a coat of primer to any new surface that has never been painted, or spot-prime areas where paint has worn away, Zimmer suggests.

5. Don’t skimp on paint. Use top quality 100 percent acrylic latex paint. It’s durable, flexible, colorfast, and can often last 10 years or more compared to ordinary paint, Zimmer says. To make the paint last even longer, apply at least two coats–a coat of primer and coat of paint, or two coats of house paint, she adds.

6. Don’t postpone painting. Postponing painting the exterior of a home that is long overdue can actually cause damage to a home. Exposed wood can begin to rot and other types of exterior siding also can suffer when the paint starts to wear off, Zimmer says.

via styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org

Weather is great.....time to get painting! Create great curb appeal.....a fresh coat of paint.....clean fresh look...combined with Spring flowers and trees. Now that's wow factor!
Check out my New Website http:HollyWiesnerOlivieri.com

Lets connect on FB http://facebook.com/northshoreholly

Posted via email from Holly Wiesner Olivieri , The Staten Island Real Estate Resource

Which Remodeling Projects Pay Off the Most....Cost vs Value ?

2011-2012 Cost vs. Value: Which Remodeling Projects Pay Off the Most?

On January 25, 2012, in Helpful Tools, Remodeling Adviser, by Melissa Tracey

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

When tackling home remodeling projects, you’ll find some projects pay off more than others at times of resale. Remodeling Magazine, in conjunction with REALTOR® Magazine, recently released findings of its annual Cost vs. Value report for 2011-2012, revealing which remodeling projects offer the biggest bang for your buck.

Overall, the trend right now is replacement over remodeling–swapping out the old for the new rather than doing a total gut job, which can be much more costly.

This year’s Cost vs. Value report found that exterior replacement projects–such as new garage doors and a new entry door–offer some of the best returns at resale, allowing home owners to recoup close to 70 percent or more of the costs of the project at times of resale.

The following are the top, mid-range projects from this year’s report, based on what home owners stand to recoup at time of resale:

1. Replacing the entry door to steel

Estimated cost: $1,238

Cost recouped at resale: 73%

2. Attic bedroom (converting unfinished attic space into a bedroom with bathroom and shower)

Estimated cost: $50,148

Cost recouped at resale: 72.5%

3. Minor kitchen remodel (including new cabinets and drawers, countertops, hardware, and appliances)

Estimated cost: $19,588

Cost recouped at resale: 72.1%

4. Garage door replacement

Estimated cost: $1,512

Cost recouped at resale: 71.9%

5. Deck addition (wood)

Estimated cost: $10,350

Cost recouped at resale: 70.1%

6. Siding replacement (vinyl)

Estimated cost: $11,729

Cost recouped at resale: 69.5%

via styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org

If your concern is what is the best remodel project for me to recoup the most cash?....a few pointers never hurt. Today the consumer is even more concerned.....where do I get the most bang for my buck? So if selling your home is in the near future is on the agenda.....review this check list ...before you tackle your next home project.

Posted via email from Holly Wiesner Olivieri , The Staten Island Real Estate Resource

Home Design Gets Simpler

Trend Watch: Home Design Gets Simpler

On January 3, 2012, in Home Trends, by Melissa Tracey

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

As home buyers continue to rank affordability high, more home styles are getting simpler and homes are becoming lower maintenance, according to the latest Home Design Trends Survey, conducted by the American Institute of Architects.

Simpler exterior details and the use of durable building products are growing in popularity, according to the third-quarter survey of architects, which mostly focused on community and neighborhood design.

“Consumers are favoring homes with low-maintenance exterior materials such as fiber-cement, stone, tile, and natural earth plasters,” according to the report. “This significantly outpaces any other home exterior feature in terms of its increase in popularity. Over the past year, there has been a dramatic decrease in the popularity of sustainable roofing materials, as well as in ‘cool’ roofs with high solar reflective characteristics. Tubular skylights have also decreased in popularity over the past year.”

Also, could large residential subdivisions start becoming a thing of the past? According to the survey of architects, there has been a shift away from large residential subdivisions toward smaller-scale infill development projects, which tend to focus more on affordability, access to public transportation, nearby commercial opportunities, and job centers. The survey also revealed increased interest among consumers for neighborhoods that can accommodate a growing number of multigenerational households and that encourage more interaction with the community.

via styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org

Many people are looking to simplify their life.....and their home. This includes the design element and maintenance of the home. I know myself.....casual easy living is best for me....and that certainly includes the care of my home....interior and exterior.

Posted via email from Holly Wiesner Olivieri , The Staten Island Real Estate Resource

How Many Homes Were Sold In Westerleigh SINY In 2011?

With the New Year closing in....lets see what sold in Westerleigh http://bestplaces.nydailynews.com/neighborhoods/westerleigh ...

A North Shore community in Staten Island...with strong community ties abound... along with a vibrant history. Reported from the Staten Island MLS a total of 118 homes sold in Westerleigh since January 1,2011 http://mls.sibor.com/SIBRReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=2511754797 the average selling price was $433,263 and the lowest was $235,000...average days on the market were 125 days.

Now lets compare this to 2010....at this time 109 homes sold and the average listing price was $428,164 and the lowest was $250,000....average days on the market were 116 days http://mls.sibor.com/SIBRReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=2511756588
Out of the 118 homes sold in 2011.... 75 of them were 1 family detached homes that sold http://mls.sibor.com/SIBRReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=2511756575 and in comparison to 2010 a total of 109 homes sold....with 74 of these homes being 1 family detached that sold. http://mls.sibor.com/SIBRReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=2511756596

In my opinion if there is a certain area people want to live...there is consistency in sales, even in a depressed market. Everything in real estate is relevant .What is important to you when purchasing a home? A particular lifestyle...easy transportation to work and school...recreation and affordability?

If you are interested in businesses, people and homes highlighted in Staten Island's North Shore check out http://facebook.com/northshoreholly . Also join me on twitter      http://twitter.com/hollyolivieri

There are two kinds of Real Estate professionals...those who understand the emotional and financial complexity of buying or selling a home ....and those who don't.

Have an extraordinary day....and 2012!

Posted via email from Holly Wiesner Olivieri , The Staten Island Real Estate Resource

Learning From Top Industry Experts.

Thrilled meeting...Chris Smith,Tech Savvy Agent at Triple Play convention. http://www.inman.com/news/2011/05/12/chris-smith-tech-savvy-agent-co-founder-... great meeting up with Sandy Edry of Citi Habitats NYC. http://edryrealestate.com/

http://HollyWiesnerOlivieri.com

Posted via email from Holly Wiesner Olivieri , The Staten Island Real Estate Resource

Who Loves The Outdoors On Staten Island North Shore ?

This spectacular view is in Clove Lakes Park S.I.'s North Shore. Great day to get outside....winterize your home http://lowes.inman.com/inmaninf/lowesnewsletter/news/157250 Homes presently available in the Clove Lakes area of Staten Island. http://mls.sibor.com/SIBRReports/ListitLib/show_report.aspx?ID=2511623628

Posted via email from Holly Wiesner Olivieri , The Staten Island Real Estate Resource

Make $5,000 Stretch in a Kitchen Remodel .......

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

A “minor” kitchen remodel will cost home owners, on average, $21,695, according to the Cost vs. Value survey, an annual report by Remodeling magazine, in cooperation with REALTOR® Magazine, that reveals the top remodeling projects offering the highest returns at resale. Home owners stand to recoup about 72 percent (or $15,790) of that investment from a kitchen remodel when it’s time to sell too.

So the kitchen can offer some big payback at times of resale, but for the average home owner, $21,000 nowadays may be too much for their budget. So what should you do when a dated kitchen is still in desperate need of some TLC?

Check out this video below from AOL Real Estate with Jeff Lewis, star of Bravo’s “Flipping Out,” sharing how he transformed a kitchen for less than $5,000. He painted the cabinets, added new countertops, replaced the faucet, added a stainless steel kitchen island, and accessorized to give the kitchen an updated, fresh look. What are your best ideas for remodeling a kitchen on a tight budget? Get more ideas at REALTOR Magazine online: Easy Solutions for Kitchens & Baths.

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Tags: Bravo, cost vs. value, Jeff Lewis, kitchen, kitchen remodel

via styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org

A simple kitchen remodel can offer big payback on resale. The kitchen actually gives you the highest return .......when its time to sell. A few simple tips can guide you to highest yield ..... at minimal cost. Looking for a quick new look in your kitchen with out all the bells and whistles ?

Posted via email from Holly Wiesner Olivieri , The Staten Island Real Estate Resource

First Time Home Buyer Purchases 2 Family Home In Westerleigh, Staten Island New York.

 Congratulations to Don! First time home buyer purchases a 2 family home in  Westerleigh, within Staten Island's North Shore community.

 

Posted via email from Holly Wiesner Olivieri , The Staten Island Real Estate Resource