Brush Up on Home Equity

To get maximum value for your home for minimum time, money and effort, nothing beats a fresh coat of paint.

Maintaining and improving your home enhances both your living style and your long-term investment. The money you spend on fixing up your property today will pay for itself in profits when you decide to sell. Painting your home indoors, and outdoors, is the fastest and easiest way to create the look you want, without spending a bundle.

Many people put off interior and exterior paint jobs, because of the time and effort involved. There are ways, however, to make the task virtually effortless.

Mix it Up

To be sure that your paint covers completely and properly, it must be completely mixed. All paints are professionally blended when you purchase them, but they still need to be stirred before you begin to paint. Using a stir stick takes time and doesn't always blend the colors completely, but a simple household drill can do the job.

Cut a plastic clothes hanger into a long "J" shape and insert it into the end of your drill. This handy tool provides a time-saving and energy-conserving means of mixing the paint to perfection.

Be Slap Happy

Most people get the excess paint from a brush by scraping it against the edge of the can. This can cause drips and waste valuable paint. Try tapping or slapping the brush instead. This will keep more paint at the end of the brush, where you want it, and the excess will fall into the can instead of dripping down the sides. You'll also be able to cover more area between dips, which is an important tip if you're traveling up and down the ladder.

Keep in Code

Be aware of any building codes or restrictions in your residential area before you take on the time and expense of painting your home. There are restrictions in many residential areas, such as housing units and condominiums. Your bright yellow stucco home and turquoise shutters may look lovely, but may not meet your neighborhood code. Another consideration is the color, height and size of fences and other outdoor structures. Check first, before spending the time and money.

Get the Lead Out

In the United States alone, hundreds of thousands of children have been poisoned by the lead found in residential paints. Lead poisoning has been linked to health conditions including learning difficulties. One major cause is the old, peeling lead-based paints found in many homes. It's important that you strip and replace any deteriorating paint in your home.

Prime Yourself

Careful preparation is the first step to getting the job done quickly and properly. Using a good quality primer can also save money, as you need to use less paint in the pricey top coat.

Look for other ways to save money by doing basic tasks. Taking an existing fence and giving it a new look beveling the edges with a rotary saw is a free and easy way to create a whole new look. Of course, a fresh coat of paint will complete the effect.

Building equity in your home is easiest with paint. Trendy or timeless colors inside the home, and fresh accents outdoors, will increase the value of your property and earn you well-deserved bragging rights.

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