August 2011
Volume 14 Issue 8
PICTURE PERFECT
Whether you are preparing your home for sale or simply want to spruce up your house for the summer, the experts at the Paint Quality Institute (www.paintquality.com) suggest following several simple rules to make the exterior of your home look its best.
First, prepare the surface properly. Use a long-handled brush and soap and water to scrub the surface, then use a scraper or wire brush to remove any loose, flaky or peeling paint. Sand down any rough edges and brush off any remaining dust and particles left behind.
Use top quality paint for your project. For most wood and other exterior surfaces, 100 percent acrylic latex works best because it provides a thicker, more durable film and easily conceals old paint color. And since acrylic latex lasts up to 10 years or longer, you won’t have to repaint unless you decide to change the color scheme.
Using quality brushes and equipment for the project will make the job easier and produce a more even coat and color. When working with latex paints, use brushes with synthetic bristles, ideally polyester. Brushes should be springy and well-balanced, with multiple lengths of split bristles packed tightly in a three-quarter to one-inch thickness on a standard four-inch brush.
You should also take care to paint in the right weather conditions. Choose a day with mild temperatures, ideally above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and when the winds are light. If you must paint on a warm day, work on the shady side of the house.
With a little common sense and self-discipline, you’ll reward yourself with a beautiful, professional-looking paint job that will last for years.
This months joke:
Question: What is a tornado ?
Answer: Mother nature doing the twist!.
Hardwood vs. Carpet
When deciding between hardwood floors and carpet, it may be tough to determine which is right for your home. Both can be beautiful and cost-effective. But according to Lowe’s, homeowners also should consider other factors such as the room, traffic, durability and maintenance.
Carpeting is generally less costly to install than hardwood floors, but may require more frequent maintenance such as vacuuming and professional cleaning. Carpets reduce noise better than hardwood floors and provide a cushion in case of slips and falls. In colder climates especially, carpets provide warmth while hardwood floors can feel cold when walking barefoot.
However, carpets are easily stained and collect dust, allergens and bacteria, which can be problematic for people with allergies. They’ll also need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years due to wear and tear while wood floors can last a lifetime with proper care.
In contrast, hardwood floors are easy to clean with a broom and dust mop. If they become damaged, they can be sanded and refinished rather than replaced. While wood floors may not absorb noise, a strategically placed area rug will often do the trick.
Because wood floors are sensitive to moisture, they may not be the best choice for areas of the house that will likely get wet, like a mud room. When exposed to moisture, floors may swell, buckle and warp. Wood floors can also fade, splinter, or break over time.
To maintain wood floors, sweep and dust them regularly, and use a damp cloth to blot up spills as soon as they happen. To clean more thoroughly, use a cleaner specifically formulated for pre-finished hardwood floors.
After weighing the pros and cons of each, your best choice is one that will look great in your home for many years to come.
Fast Facts >> >> >> >> >>
At an average cost of $290, cleaning and de-cluttering a home has the highest return on investment of any improvement, returning as much as $1,990.
Source: Homegain.com
First-time homebuyers
accounted for 50 percent
of all home sales in 2010.
Source: 2010 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Two out of three U.S. adults have changed their cooking and eating habits because of the economy; 51 percent eat dinner at home more often and 37 percent have strict shopping budgets.
Source: Whole Foods Market’s annual Food Shopping Trends Tracker survey
Commuters spend 4.2 billion hours and burn 2.8 billion gallons of gas in traffic per year.
Source: Texas Transportation Institute
Have questions? email Risa at questions@risa.net or call her at 407-699-4901
August, 2011 Bizarre, Unique, and Crazy Holidays and Special Days
August 2011 calendar of holidays & events
Click here for what happened on this day in history
Top Orlando Events and Festivals in August 2011
Click Here for a Complete Guide to Moving compliments of Risa
FREE programs from me to you, including "How To Buy A Home In Orlando" booklet
Use This Moving Truck for FREE 
RE/MAX Town & Country Realty has a moving truck (pictured above) that our clients can use FREE for their local (inside the Metro-Orlando area) moves.
When Risa helps you buy or sell a home, just let her know that you would like to use the RE/MAX Moving Truck. Then Ray, the Moving Truck Coordinator, will coordinate your reservation to use the truck for a 24 hour period and outline all of the details for the truck?s use. Tell Risa early on in your transaction that you?d like to use the truck to make sure that you can reserve the best time for your move!
We?re glad to be able to offer this additional service to our clients. Risa Saltman wants to help make your moving process as smooth, enjoyable and efficient as possible.
Want to be added to Risa's FREE E-newsletter distribution list? Totally different from the web site newsletter, all you need to do is click HERE and click SEND.
Call Risa at 407-699-4901
For the BEST agent in your area!
