Selling Your Home – Paint Choices Matter

Whether you love the home you live in or are planning on selling your home in the next few years, exterior paint plays a huge role in the overall look of your home. In a home for sale, it can mean a difference in price and how many offers you receive, too.

Obviously when selling a home, the goal is to take more conservative approach with overall color, although trim and accents can be a little more daring.  When considering your paint choices, it’s wise to view the neighborhood “palette” as a whole rather than starting with paint chips in a home improvement store. Your house should be distinct yet complimentary.

With that said, it’s incredibly difficult to visualize an entire house color, trim included, with just a square of paint on a strip of paper. Oftentimes homeowners find the most long-lasting happiness in their color choice when they find a home painted the color they like and find out (by asking) the actual name of that color.

Another common method for visualizing your home in a new color is to take a digital photo of the home’s front and back exterior and upload it to one of the many paint websites available on the internet. Choose a home with similar structure and trim to yours and use the “paint feature” to experiment different looks.

Once you’ve found a paint scheme you like, buy some sample paint and apply it to various areas of your home exterior and view throughout the day to see how it looks in different light. If after a few days, you determine that the color is perfect, hire recommended professional painters (call me if you need a suggestion) and start the process of beautifying your home!

More Interesting Exterior Paint Facts to Consider When Selling Your Home:

• White (and varying shades of white) is THE most popular exterior color of homes. Other popular choices are grays and earth tones with white trim.
• Exterior paint can be used to attract attention to your home’s architecture or natural tones can actually allow it to blend with your landscaping, so determine what "look" you want to achieve before settling on colors.
• Paint colors have had huge variances in color over the years and if you own a historic home, whether colonial or designed by a specific architect, it is helpful to reference the original color when making restorations.  You can consult the National Trust for Historical Preservation for information on specific genres.
• Nowadays, doors are used as an accent feature in many homes, so may want it to be an area you consider in your overall scheme, as well.  Often doors are a different color from the house and trim.
• According to Homewyse.com, the 2012 national cost to paint your home averages from $1.08 to $1.43 per square foot, and you can visit their website for a tool on local estimates for your area.  The forecasted cost includes preparation, painting, general debris cleanup, final touches, and any tools or supplies needed on the job. You should also plan on an added cost of about 15% to cover contractor project management, as well.

Links & Tees – Buying a Golf Course Home

August is national golf month and brings with it beautiful weather and prime conditions for hitting a few rounds. If you happen to join in a game of golf, you may begin to wonder about the homes lining the fairway. You may even daydream about the joys of living on the course, in an exclusive, gated community only steps away from hitting the links day in and day out.

Golf course living can be filled with gorgeous views, relaxing evenings, and moments of perfect solitude.  If you are tempted by the idea of golf course living, the following considerations can help you decide if a golf course home is the right choice for you.

Resale Value - In general, golf course homes, especially those near the green or tee box boast a higher sales price in comparison to homes off the course.  However, each course is unique and you need to know the course and future landscaping and building projections to understand what location is best for your golf course home.

Watch those balls! -  First and foremost, realize that life near the fairway is not necessarily one of privacy and safety. Flying golf balls and loud weekend crowds along golf cart paths are something to consider when seeking a golf course home. Consider your own game of golf and where your errant balls might land and make sure your potential home is not in line as a target.  If you are looking for a lower priced golf course home, however, you might consider a deal on the fairway and embrace it as adventurous.

Association Rules -  Make sure that you know the rules of your chosen golf course community before making an offer.  Bylaws may restrict landscaping features and netting, allowing only approved fencing or walls, or dictate the plants you use in your backyard.   Special assessment clauses may apply as well.  Save disappointment by knowing about these BEFORE you buy your golf course home.

Pesticide Use - If you are sensitive to chemical sprays or afraid of unusual wildlife, you may want to consider a home a few streets away from the green.  Golf courses are well-maintained in part by pesticides and may be a concern if you have pets or small children.  Also, coyote, geese, deer, and other local critters seen on the golf course may cause you concern, too.

Useful Tools When Buying a Home - What about Schools

Wait - was that a school bell that just sounded?

If you live near a school, you may already be hearing the ringing of the bells as local schools gear up for students to arrive. While school may not be in session this week, those bells signal that it’s time to prepare. Time to sharpen the pencils, search out the best in backpacks, and make some plans for the new year.

Students and parents know a brighter future follows preparation, and the same can be said when buying a home. Do you have the tools you need to know if your new home is the best you can afford?

Is there a school where you can learn how to buy a home?

I’m sure you could find them - the internet caters to all needs these days - however, your best choice is to do a little research and then choose to work with a real estate agent that KNOWS your area, someone like me. Knowing your neighborhood means being aware of similar property values, market trends, crime statistics, and the local schools. When you trust your agent to help you in determining home pricing and neighborhood values, you'll find the home buying and selling process much easier. Real estate can be tricky and you'll be ahead of the pack if you rely on your agent to share their knowledge of the town you are exploring.

If you want to do your own research on any area, here are some resources for you to consider.

• General Town Info - City Data  (Also check out individual town websites.)
• Local Business & Entertainment - Yelp
• Crime Stats - Neighborhood Scout
• Sex Offenders - Federal Resource
• School Stats - Great Schools
• Weber School District - K-12
• Davis School District - K -12
• Box Elder District - K-12  
• Morgan School District - K-12

In particular when evaluating a neighborhood, consider the school district and the individual school. School statistics change year to year, but general trends can be determined.  If you have a family you’ll of course have different needs regarding schools than someone who is retired, however the tone of the school often matches the neighborhood and community values, so it’s wise to take a look. The amount a school district or individual school spends per child, the teacher turn-over rate, and parent satisfaction ratings can all provide you with information, along with traditional API scores.  Schools can have an affect on the long-term sales of a home and your happiness with your community at large.