54 THE QUEENS COURIER • AT HOME • JULY 12, 2018 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
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Paint like a pro in 5 easy steps
Nothing transforms a home quite like a
fresh coat of paint. In fact, painting your
own house is one of the smartest and
easiest DIY upgrades a homeowner can
accomplish on their own.
“Summer is the ideal time to tackle
a painting project, as the warmer temperatures
5 tips for fi nancing your next home improvement project
Whether it’s transforming a fi xer-upper
into your dream home or just giving
a makeover to your kitchen or bathroom,
home improvement projects are
on the minds of many new homeowners
across the country.
While many things about renovating
your home are fl exible, your budget
might not be. In general, not a single
fl oor board is laid, or a new countertop
installed without money, which is why
every home renovation project should
begin with careful fi nancial planning.
To help homeowners with their renovation
projects, Marcus by Goldman
Sachs(R) is sharing budget-friendly
home renovation tips.
Th ere are several ways to fi nance larger
projects and it’s important to explore
your options to fi nd the one that’s right
for you. Below are fi ve important tips
to keep in mind when deciding how to
fund your next home project.
1. Shop around. Th e better you plan,
the better chance you’ll save money.
Before anything gets torn out or
installed, you should spend time consulting
with contractors and getting estimates.
Look at the work they’ve done
to see if they would be a good fi t. Most
importantly, don’t be afraid to ask a lot
of questions to make sure you’re working
with the right people and paying the
right price.
2. Consider fi nancing options. Th ere
are several options when fi nancing a
home improvement project and it is
important to choose the right fi t for you.
Home equity loans and home equity
lines of credit (HELOC) require you to
borrow against the value of your home,
with home equity loans off ering a lump
sum while home equity lines of credit
provide you with a credit line you can
borrow against. An unsecured home
improvement loan can be used based on
your creditworthiness and ability to pay,
not tied to a piece of collateral.
3. Create a budget. Because of the
nature of remodels, things oft en end up
costing more than you might think. No
matter how big or how small the project,
you need to have a solid sense of what
your “all in” budget number is. Th is
should not only account for hard and
soft costs for things like labor, materials
and designers, it should also account
for contingency costs. Experts typically
recommend budgeting an additional
15 to 20 percent for unexpected scenarios
that might arise. A thoughtful budget
will help keep your priorities in front
of you and prevent you from spending
more than you want.
4. Remember, this is an investment!
Not all home renovations will pay off in
the long term. It’s important to consider
cost vs. value before you start making
changes, especially for homeowners
looking to sell in the near future. If you
plan on putting your house on the market
sooner rather than later, be sure to
keep track of the top home features to
get the best return on your investment.
5. Work with a designer. Th is might
sound like a luxury or an added expense,
but in many cases, a designer could actually
help save money by fi nding deals or
providing suggestions for less expensive
alternatives, such as using quartz or
white concrete instead of marble. Above
all, their expertise can help avoid costly
mistakes that can oft en arise when people
try to cut corners on their own.
With these tips, you should be better
prepared to fi nance your home improvement
project. When you’re ready to
start, you shouldn’t have to wait weeks
for a home appraisal to get your renovation
project underway. You could see
your home improvement loan options
from Marcus by Goldman Sachs in as
little as fi ve minutes and once approved,
most people see the funds in their bank
accounts in as little as four days. With
Marcus you could be one step closer to
your dream home.
Courtesy BPT
lead to faster drying times, and
you can comfortably leave the windows
open for better ventilation,” said Megan
Youngs, Product Manager at DAP. “Just
remember, a little bit of preparation goes
a long way toward creating a professional
look that will last for years to come.”
Before reaching for a paintbrush, follow
these paint preparation tips from the
experts at DAP.
Clean Up Your Act - Paint adheres better
to a smooth, clean surface. While living
room walls may only need a dry dusting,
kitchens and bathrooms, where dirt,
grease, oil or mildew can build up, need
extra attention. Wash surfaces with soap
and water, rinse well and allow them to
fully dry. For bathrooms, remove mildew
by applying a solution of one-part
bleach to three-parts water and allow the
solution to sit for 20 minutes. Th en scrub
the mildew with a soft -bristle brush, rinse
the surface and allow it to dry. Be sure
to wear safety glasses and rubber gloves
when working with this bleach-and-water
solution.
Scrape and Sand - Now that the surface
is dry, smooth down the surface with a bit
of fi ne-grit sandpaper. Th is is particularly
important if painting over a glossy fi nish,
as paint applies more evenly to dull
surfaces. In addition, going over the area
with sandpaper will help uncover any
cracks, holes or dents that could diminish
the fi nal look of your project. Another pro
tip is to shine a bright light at a low angle
across the surface to spot any problem
areas. Aft er you have sanded or scraped
the area, wipe it down with a damp cloth
to remove any dust or residue.
Don’t Forget the Details - Anyone can
paint over a wide, smooth surface, but
it’s the attention to detail around windows
and doors that truly separates a
mediocre job from the pros. Use painter’s
tape to protect window sills, molding,
baseboards, door hinges and the ceiling
perimeter, taking your time to ensure that
every corner is properly protected. Th ese
areas are also prone to gaps and cracks.
Remove any loose or cracked caulking
from windows, doors and trim, and apply
a fresh bead of sealant for a smooth, sealed
surface. Alex Flex Premium Molding &
Trim Sealant is specifi cally formulated
for use on molding and trim applications.
Th e sealant is paintable in just 30 minutes
with latex or oil-based paints, saving time
and resulting in a seamless, more professional
fi nish.
Fill It Up - Now it’s time to tackle
the main surface. Cracks, holes and
dents will mar the fi nished project, so
apply spackle to fi ll in these areas. Open
a container of pre-mixed spackling compound
and scoop up a small amount with
a putty knife. Th ere’s no need to pile it
on. Instead, start with a small amount,
and with a shallow knife strike, spread
the compound over the hole or crack
in a smooth, downward motion. Repeat
until the hole is completely fi lled in.
Want to get rid of those stubborn recurring
cracks? Reach for Alex Flex Flexible
Spackling, which provides maximum
fl exibility and moves with the repaired
surface as problem areas expand and contract
with changes in weather and humidity.
It’s also easy to sand to a smooth,
feathered-edge fi nish and is paintable for
a seamless repair.
Paint with Precision - Make the job
go easier and faster by having a variety
of brushes and rollers on hand. Rollers
are great for covering large, wide surfaces,
but for a professional look around
edges and corners, you’ll need smaller
brushes for the right amount of detailed
work. Moisten rollers and brushes in
water beforehand, as this will help the
paint glide more smoothly onto the surface.
Allow the fi rst coat of paint to completely
dry, and then apply a second coat
to ensure smooth, even coverage. Once
the second coat is dry, carefully pull up
any painter’s tape and voila! Your space
is transformed!
For more information on DAP products
for your next DIY project, visit DAP.
com.
Courtesy BPT