As the colors outside our homes begin changing this fall and we begin to spend more time indoors the fall is a great time to make some changes inside our homes as well.  Whether you are thinking of putting your home on the market or simply sprucing it up for yourself painting can be a fun and rewarding project indoors as the days become cooler.

But before you begin a project there are five steps that when taken will end with a successful painting result.  They are:

1. PREPARATION:  Like most things in life proper preparation is 70% and always gets the best results.   Whatever you are painting be sure the surface is clean and smooth.  Wash the surface to remove fingerprints, marks and scuffs.  Then spackle any voids in the surface such as dings or gouges from the normal wear and tear of life.  Of course, use a pimer over spackle and over very old and hard to cover colors.
2. THE PAINT:  With paint you get what you pay for.  Saving $10-$15 a gallon usually doesn't save you money in either the short or long term.  My personal experience I have found Pratt & Lambert to be an outstanding paint.  It doesn't splatter and applies and cleans up easily. 
3. APPLICATORS:  Again, like paint you want to use good rollers and brushes.  After all, once you've gone through all the prep work you will want your results to look smooth and well covered.  Substandard brushes and rollers can leave fibers on your walls and trim.
4. THE SHEEN:  No, I'm not talking about Martin or Charlie, but the correct finish on your painted surfaces.  Rule of thumb is the higher the sheen the great the durability.  For example in kitchen, bathroom, or heavily traveled hallways you will want to use a semi-gloss or satin finish because they hold up better and are easier to keep clean than flat paint.  Personally, we don't use flat paint any longer because my wife and I like a bit of sheen on our walls.  It makes the room look crisper. 
5. EXTERIOR SURFACES:  If you are planning to paint the exterior the fall may not be the best time.  Paint is very weather sensitive.  If it is too cold or damp the paint may not properly dry and will not adhere properly. Similarly, if the weather is too hot or humid in the summer it may dry too quickly and it can fail from that as well.

So, now that you know the basics of painting go visit your local paint store and grab a bunch of color chips.  Bring them home and see what they might look like in the light of your home.  Then you might want to get a quart of the color you chose and try it on a wall and really see how it will look before purchasing all you will need.  It is always best to get the color adjusted to what you want before you order 5-10 gallons of it!  Finally, don't be afraid to go bold with your color choices. 

Well there you have it.  A primer on painting.  If you get started now you can enjoy your new look during the holidays! 

To paraphrase William Shakespeare: to remodel or not to remodel, that is the question.  I often speak with homeowners comtemplating "fixing up" their home in order to get top dollar for it when they sell.  Given the recent slowing in the market this poses a problem.  With home price appreciation leveling off to normal year over year increases instead of the 20%+ increases of the past couple of years the idea of plowing money into a home in order to sell it needs to be looked at very carefully. 

First, it is always prudent to put the best face on your property when preparing it for sale.  Things such as colorful flowers out front and a spruced up yard add to your home's initial curb appeal which is important...and generally inexpensive.  Next, fresh paint can be done inexpensively and will add to the appeal of your home.  Avoiding clutter and removing photos that personalize your home to you will enable buyers to envision it as their home. 

Now, comes the hard part.  If the exterior siding is worn and weathered, your windows are old inefficient single pane, your floor coverings and window shades looked fabulous in the 1970's, or your kitchen or bathroom(s) are outdated and perhaps not as functional as they ought to be then you are probably considering a much greater expense.  Will you be able to recapture that expense?   Depending on materials used, the extent of the remodel (purely cosmetic or involving structural issues as well), length of time until sale, and amenities in neighboring homes you may or may not be able to get 100% of your money back.

One interesting source that compares construction costs with resale value in 60 markets nationwide each year is RemodelingMagazine.com.   Of course, being a nationwide survey you need to keep in mind that values for various projects will vary regionally. 

If you are remodeling for yourself and your family then these considerations are ancillary because it is about creating the environment you want.  But when resale value is a major factor in your decision to remodel, the best course of action is to consult an experienced Realtor® about the amenities and home prices in your neighborhood and speak with a local contractor to get an estimate of costs.