Durham Region Real Estate Blog

Looking after your home will definitely help to maintain the value in it and new paint is a great idea. You can get a completely new feel in each room for a fraction of the cost of new flooring or furniture.

First you must determine how much paint you need.

Measure the perimeter of your room (length and width), and then add the four numbers together.

Multiply the perimeter by the height.

Deduct windows and doors. An average window is approximately 15 sq. ft. and an average door is 21 sq. ft.

Divide by 400 (1 gallon of paint covers about 400 sq. ft.)

Length + length + width + width = total perimeter

Total perimeter x height – doors – windows = Total sq. ft.

Total sq. ft. / 400 = number of gallons needed

Then round up to ensure you have enough paint.

Second, decide which sheen to use. Use a flat paint in a low traffic area then increase the sheen as the amount of traffic increases. Use flat in a living room, flat enamel in a dining room, eggshell in the master bedroom, satin in a hallway, soft gloss in a kitchen, semi gloss in a kids bedrooms and high gloss on doors and trim.  Of course, a satin could work well for walls in all the rooms and then you could just try the semi gloss or high gloss paint on the doors and trim.

Third, decide on a primer. Tempted to skip the primer? Don’t! Primer not only provides a good surface for he paint by helping to even out the surface’s porosity, but is also brings out the paint’s true colour. Some primers have specific formulas to address certain problems such as hard to hide colours, glossy surfaces and stains. Using a high quality primer ensures a durable, even finish with more accurate colours. It can actually save you time and money too!

Fourth, prepare the surface.The great majority of paint failures are attributed to inadequate surface preparation. Clean and dry the surface but removing all dirty, dust and grease and dull the glossy surfaces with a liquid de-glosser or sandpaper. Repair all surface imperfections, fill all cracks and seams with paintable acrylic caulk, fill holes with a patching compound and then scrape or sand any peeling paint. Finally , prime all the areas.

Now it’s time to paint! Use painter’s tape to mask off any areas not peing painted. Cover furniture and floors with drop cloths. Sitr paint throughout the painting process and if you are using multiple cans of the same colour, mix them together for the best uniform colour. Prime the area to promote hide and adhesions. Painit the ceiling first by brushing a 3 inch border then begin in a corner and roll across the ceiling in 3 foot sections. Finish with long, even roller strokes across the entire ceiling. Paint the walls next. Paint only one wall at a time by brushing a 3 inch borger around the ceiling, floor, tim and corners. Always maintain a wet edge. Working in a 3foot x 3 foot area, roll a large “W” onlto the surface. Now fill in the “W”. Work hoizontally across the room, moving from side to side. and continue the pattern across the wall. Finally, paint the trim and remember to leave the windows open for at least one hour to prevent sticking to newly painted sills.

Once the room is painted and the clean up is done, take a picture and email it to me (I’d love to see the new room) then sit back and enjoy your handiwork!

We hope you enjoy this little newsletter!

Email newsletter – June 11 pdf

If you are one of the lucky ones who has a kitchen that others only dream about, I hope you are happy. No really, I mean it! Do you realize the daily frustration you avoid when you enter your culinary haven? I bet you don’t run out of counter space or have to close the dishwasher door in order to open the cabinet where you will store the pot you just took out of the dishwasher. And the very best thing is that you’ll never have to go through a kitchen renovation nightmare!

Ever read those helpful sites that talk about how to have a successful, stress-free renovation done? Choose the right contractor, get references, check out the Better Business Bureau. Really? These are the tips? Have you ever checked a referral? Isn’t it always good? Why would a contractor give you the name of a previous client who hated their work? “No, don’t use 123 Kitchens, they were terrible. Didn’t finish the job, ran away with the money, watched pay-per-view on my T.V. all day and had the biggest example of plumbers butt that I’ve ever seen!” Instead you hear how wonderful they were, how they were always on time, under budget, so polite actually that they are coming back to the house for a celebratory BBQ!

Don’t get me wrong. I know there are great contractors available. Ones who show up, don’t leave until the job is finished, lay out all expenses up front and are reasonable to deal with when the inevitable problems occur. These are few and far between, but if you are willing to put in the ground work, you’ll find them and end up with that enviable, dream kitchen!

The best way to have a successful renovation is to thoroughly know what you want to accomplish. Really figure out what is important to you and why it is so important. Do you want to move the fridge because you’d like the newest model to fit or because it will improve the usability of your kitchen? If things are easier and functioning properly you will likely use them more often, be able to operate quicker and get to what matters most, spending time with your family and friends.

Once you know what you are truly looking for, you’ll be better equipped to find a contractor who can see your vision, appreciate your wants and needs and do a job that you will happily recommend. Definitely ask your friends, family, co-workers or real estate agent as these people will give you the most honest opinion of a contractor’s work. If you are unable to get a direct referral, then make sure you are prepared for your interviews. Let the contractor know your vision but then sit back and let them do the talking. At this point in the game they should be able to discuss their broad skills and areas of expertise, but they should also be asking you pointed questions about what you are looking for, how prepared you are to make decisions, how you will use your kitchen, what your long term goals are and your budget.

Have a paper with some questions on it and ask each contractor the same questions. Then rate their answers as they respond. Rate from 1 to 5, when you add up the numbers at the end of your interviews you should have a good idea which contractor will suit you best. Make sure you check them out with the Better Business Bureau and ask to see some of their recent work.

I wish you great success with your renovation. Whether you are just starting out or have finished construction, give me a call. I’d love to come by and see what’s going on in your house!

Johnny’s room. Do not enter! We’ve all seen the sign that signals a teenager is in the house, occupies this room and wants his privacy. Have you ever wondered about the room though, when Johnny (now known as John) is the chief executive officer of a large manufacturing company in a town 300 km away from this house? And though the days are long past, the room is an homage to a time when Johnny played hockey in the street with other neighbourhood children.

Maybe it’s time to rethink the purpose of some rooms in your home. Just because a room has a closet in it, doesn’t mean it must be used as a bedroom. The possibilities here really are endless; the bedroom is essentially a box that needs to be emptied and reconsidered. The closet can become a storage space, have open shelving, or a cupboard at the bottom and shelving at the top. (But don’t permanently remove the closet if you need to show the room as a bedroom when it comes time to sell.)

If space is limited, a multi-functional room can be created. You may want an office but worry that Johnny will have no place to stay when he comes to visit; relegated to sleep on the uncomfortable couch in the basement. Not a bad option if you’re angry at Johnny! However, it is possible to accommodate your current needs and the needs of your guests.

The Murphy bed is a great invention and, in my opinion, it is not used enough. It takes up very little floor space when in its upright position, just remember to measure the height requirements! There are also Murphy beds that attach to the wall along the side of the bed, which may be easier for you to manoeuvre. The latest beds look like floor to ceilings cabinets, which are a great look when changing your spare room into an office.

Having a room completely devoted to guests is great, especially if you have the room to spare. But bear in mind that the number of days you have people stay overnight will be relatively few compared with the number of days you will be using the room yourself. I believe you should focus on yourself first.

You could also change your spare room into a private retreat or den. One place in the house for you to get away and indulge your passion for music or reading. With a center table and a love seat, a couple of big, comfortable chairs and some floor lamps, the room becomes a wonderful place to curl up with a good book.

If you would like to use the closet as a storage area, it doesn’t have to be readily accessible. It could hold clothes that are overflowing from the other closets, perhaps. But I would advise a trip to the thrift store instead and suggest using the closet for the summer-winter clothes switch. In that case, you would need to access the closet only twice a year, and a little furniture shift would be acceptable. A room divider can be put in front of the door and an easy chair in from of that.

So take down the hockey posters, magazine photos and Union Jack flag and replace them with a soothing paint colour and nice pieces of art. Oh, and one more thing, if that ugly light fixture, you know, the one that looks like a square plate that’s only good for catching dead flies, is still up, invest in some great track lighting or pot lights. You won’t regret it!

Each season it is your well-maintained entryway that gracefully welcomes friends and family to your home. The fact that most passers by can see it readily provides plenty of incentive for homeowners to make this first impression a good one.

Clean and clear walkways, pretty landscaping and plenty of lighting will all enhance your home’s main feature, a gracious entrance. But here we will focus on the doorway itself.

Have you thought about replacing your front door? If is is poorly hung or has an improper fit, not only will you have a disappointing first impression, it could contribute to energy loss and security risks. In these cases, the door requires replacing. You may wish to consider a complete entry system, instead of just a door exchange. With the system, the door is pre-hung in its frame, with each of its components designed to work reliably together – your best bet when it comes to dependable energy efficiency and overall strength.

Your existing door may be in great shape, so a simple update may be all that is required. Painting will allow you to change the colour in the future, while staining a wood door will lend to a sophisticated, formal entrance.

In choosing a paint colour for the front door, it is important to decide on the overall look and feel you wish to achieve. Do you want to draw attention to the entrance as a bold focal point? Then choose a standout colour that contrasts (but is complimentary) to the exterior of the house.

If you prefer to have a discreet front door, then opt for a more subtle colour. Choose this option if your door is awkwardly placed so as to avoid disturbing the overall balance of your home.

Classic black makes a formal and grand statement. Navy blue and deep green work beautifully with terracotta brick exteriors, while stone or siding in grey looks best with a selection from the red family. Keep in mind that secondary doors and garages should not compete with the front door. For these areas, use an entirely different colour or one that blends closely with the exterior.

And don’t forget the hardware. As your top priority choose security over aesthetics. You want protection for any forced entry attacks. But there are several great options in the market today. Coordinate door knockers, kick-plates, house numbers, mail slots and light fixtures for a harmonious appearance.

An improved appearance pays dividends in enjoyments and will increase the resale value of your home. Buyers will spend some time waiting for their agent to open the lockbox to obtain the key for your home. You want them to be able to see a pretty door, that is well-maintained, giving them a preview of what to expect when they see the inside of your home. So go ahead and splurge a little. You never get a second chance to make a good first impression!

Your bathroom is an important room in the house and should never be underestimated. Often it’s in the smallest room in the house that we get to mke the biggest impact. And bathroom renovations can bolster the saleability of your home. No longer just a place to wash and go, bathroooms can provide sanctuary from the chaos of life. So let’s start with a few – Absolutely Do Not Do items.

1. Carpets. These nasty fibers can hold a multitude of fluids so opt for surfaces that can be wiped clean.

2. Coloured fixtures. Avocado is not back in style! A chocolate brown toilet is not the way to go. Stick with white fixtures and inject your colour elsewhere.

3. Cheap laminate flooring. Some of these products are nothing more than a photograph of wood grain on top of compressed fiber board or chipboard. When you add water they expand. Opt for water-resistant products.

4. Toiletries on display. No one wants to see how many pills and potions you use. Ick! Choose a mix of open and closed storage so your Chanel toiletries will be on display and your unmentionable creams won’t!

5. Wallpaper. Yes, there are papers out now that can handle the humidity levels in your bathroom, but why would you when there are so many great paints on the market? Add drama with great towels or artwork, storage boxes or candles. All these can easily be rearranged or changed to suit your mood.

So what if you have some issues with your lavatory and can’t afford to change the big ticket items? Work with what you’ve got. If you have a gold toilet, tub and sink, go with it! Make them poart of your colour scheme.

Match dominant colours to create a uniform and calming look. Bright colours that compete can create a chaotic mood. Do you have dark brown tiles? Get a luxurious chocolate brown shower curtain in canvas and some brushed nickel accessories for a streamlined hotel look. Keep your eye out for great towels in neutral colours that don’t compete with your bold fixtures. Candles and hand-milled soaps can offer an inexpensive decorative touch.

Before you know it, you’ll have a bathroom to envy whether you are selling or staying put!

You have been told, over and over, that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. And it’s true! You need to make the most of what you’ve got and keep it looking great.

So, when is the last time you looked up at your bathroom ceiling? Are you feeling brave? Get up right now, and go have a look. It’s o.k., this blog will still be here when you get back! How was it? There’s a pretty good chance that you’ll find peeling paint and mould growth. Moisture is the reason why – moisture and inaccessibility. Most of us aren’t tall enough to wipe the ceiling dry after a shower. And putting a coat of latex paint isn’t going to help your problem. So what are you to do?

Peeling bathroom ceiling paint is common. You need to begin by scraping. Try using a four inch wide putty knife for this job. Lift up any loose edges and get that old paint popping right off the ceiling. Be ruthless and eliminate everything that’s weak. And don’t worry about damaging the drywall because you’ll be filling the whole area later.

Once you’ve removed all the loose paint, sand the area to further refine the ceiling. You could tackle this job by hand, but an electric quarter-sheet finishing sander is an inexpensive power tool that does a much more thorough job. Put a piece of 120-grit sandpaper in the machine then go over all regions of the ceiling that include mould or area of damaged paint. Sanding removes roughness, though it will also highlight areas you thought were sound but actually need more scraping. Keep your putty knife handy!

Now you’re ready to fill the area. It may look like only a small ridge, but it’s more than paint can cover. Genuine drywall joint compound is the best stuff to use here, because it’s smooth and fine grained. Use your putty knife to apply a skim coat over the scraped areas, extending out several inches past the point where sound paint begins. Aim to apply slightly more depth of compound than necessary, then sand the area flush with the surrounding ceiling by hand. An abrasive sanding sponge is the ideal tool to use for this application.

Now you are almost ready for paint, but don’t get out the roller just yet. You much kill the remaining mould spores. If you don’t, the mould could (likely will) return sooner rather than later. You could use a solution of bleach and water for this task or search your local hardware store for a non-toxic product. Spritz it on and let it dry.

Take just two more steps to keep the mould from re-emerging. The first is coating the filled-and-killed surface with a stain-blocking primer. Look for one that is especially rated to hide mould stains. The second is to choose your paint wisely. Look for a mould resistant kitchen and bathroom paint. It will include compounds that prevent new mould from regrowing, even in the damp and challenging conditions so common on our bathroom ceilings.

So, it might not be a pretty job, but it is one that is well worth the effort, both now and when you decide it’s time to sell!

When you take possession of your new home, it’s a good idea to change the locks on all your exterior doors. It is the only way to ensure there aren’t any “spare” keys floating around. You want to be safe, so a deadbolt lock is perfect. Flipping the lever on the lock sets a powerful mechanism that coud block anyone wanting to force their way into your home. But how safe is this locking system? The problem is what happens when the metal deadbolt extends out the side of your door as you flip the key or lever. The lock generally interlocks with a metal plate anchored to a small section of soft-wood door jam. One or two bumps from an average shoulder will blow that little bit of wood apart, allowing the door to swing wide open! And in the unlikely event that the weak door jamb doesn’t tear apart, the edge of an average wooden door certainly will! Or the hinge screws could get torn out.  It doesn’t have to be this way.

You could install an all-steel door model that is hinged into an all-steel jamb, eliminating the weak jamb problem once and for all. But don’t confuse an all-steel door with a steel-clad, residential door as these doors are usually just a thin, steel covering over a frame of wood or foam. These doors offer no significant security benefits because they’re still set into a wooden door jamb.

Instead of a new door, you could reinforce your door jamb. Try Door Jamb Armor or Strikemaster II Pro.  They are systems of retrofit steel parts designed to reinforce the door jambs; the area around the door edge where the deadbolt extends, as well as the opposite edge of the door where the hinges fasten. When you install all the reinforcing components, it makes an ordinary door virtually kick-proof.

Some people say we live in a safer world, while others think we aren’t as safe as we used to be. Regardless of how you feel, if you’re going to lock your home, doesn’t it make sense to have doors that actually deliver a serious obstacle to potential intruders?

We are all looking for a way to save money and the amount we spend on energy heating our homes is something we all think about.  If you are thinking about making some improvments to your home, you may be able to take advantage of the Ecoenergy Retrofit Grant available through Natural Resources Canada.  It encourages home owners to make their homes more energy efficient by offering a grant of up to $5,000.00  Whether you are planning to replace your furnace, windows or re-insulate you home buy installing energy efficient products you should be eligible for a substantial rebate.  You would also increase the energy efficiency of your home, effectively saving you money on your energy bills.  Go to www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca for more information.

The proposed Home Renovation Tax Credit (HRTC) will provide a temporary 15% income tax credit on eligible home renovation expenditures for work performed, or goods acquired, after January 27, 2009 and before February 1, 2010. The credit may be claimed for the 2009 taxation year on the portion of eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000, but not more than $10,000, and will provide up to $1,350 in tax relief.

For more information on all the home ownership and housing related stimulus in Budget 2009, go to http:///www.budget.gc.ca/2009/plan/bpa5a-eng.asp#Personal or to the Canada Revenue Agency Web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca and search for “Home Buyers Plan.”