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A Splash of Color Makes All the Difference

April 16, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

The decision to paint your home is not one to put off. While you may believe that painting your house is a cosmetic treatment that can wait for another day, you might be surprised to discover exactly how a bad paint job can impact your mood. If your home is in need of a fresh coat of paint, then now is the perfect time for you to start exploring all of the reasons to get on top of this goal as soon as possible. You simply need to take a look at some exciting reasons to get a move on.

Explore some of these suggestions and see how acting now can transform your home in the most exciting ways. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to welcome a brand new look for your home.

Mood Boost

Right away, you need to understand how the appearance of your residence impacts your mood and psychological state. On the surface, it might seem like painting is a simple matter of aesthetics. In truth, the condition of your home says a lot about you as a person. When guests come to your house and notice the paint on the exterior has been cracking, flaking, or fading, they might assume you do not have the care or desire to improve the appearance. It can also create a number of problems when it comes to attempting to sell your home.

One of the best reasons to consider painting your home is to increase the curb appeal. Whether you are looking to sell your house in the near future or you want to consider the option in a few years, you need to make sure the outside is appealing to those who decide to pass by. When the exterior has fresh and appealing paint, it can draw attention and cause people to take notice. If you want to get the results you’re looking for and improve how people view your home, then now is the time to contact the experts.

Increased Protection

You also may want to think about painting the exterior of your home as a preventative measure. Time and the elements can easily take a toll on the appearance of your space. The longer you have lived in your home, the more likely it is that your house has taken a beaten from wind, sunlight, and other forces. By painting your home every few years, you are giving yourself the chance to add an increased layer of protection against any harmful agents that might be blowing about in the breeze.

There are plenty of simple reasons to think about hiring professional painters to take on the task of adding a new coat to your home. If you want to make sure you are always doing your part to improve the way your home looks to others and handles during intense weather, then reach out and contact the experts as soon as possible to get the process started. Explore your options and see how a little bit of paint can go a long way when it comes to how you feel about the place where you live.

Wallet Wisdom – 5 Tips For Saving Money on Your First Home

January 18, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Buying your own home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make in your life. It’s complicated and even a little scary, but there are a few simple things you can do to make it easier and save yourself money at the time you’re making your purchase and over the life of your mortgage.

Continue reading for five great money saving tips you can employ when buying your first home.

Plan ahead

Whether you are dreaming of a ranch in the country or a project home in Sydney, one of the best things you can do to prepare for home ownership is to reduce your debt. Not only does it make room for the mortgage payment in your budget, you’ll get a better interest rate that can save thousands over time.

What Can You Afford

Don’t base this off of the highest loan amount that you can get approved for because going for the maximum can leave you in over your head later on. Instead, look at your budget and decide what you are comfortable with for a monthly payment. You can start with a home loan eligibility calculator to help you choose a price range.

Get Expert Help

Getting a professional home inspection will help you to find problem areas before you buy and save you money on repairs. Even if you are a handy person, it’s better not to assess things on your own. If the inspector finds something you can ask the seller to deduct that amount from the price or to fix it before you sign the contract, plus you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into.

The professionals helping you to find your dream home should also be willing to help you, from your realtor or your mortgage broker to your conveyancer. Ask questions and be suspicious of anyone who doesn’t seem willing to explain the process. Remember, they are working for you.

Know What Your Agreeing To

There can be costs that are separate from the mortgage, such as Homeowners Association fees. These can range from $50 to hundreds per month on top of your mortgage and taxes. Read HOA agreements thoroughly and be sure you understand what the additional cost will be. Take into consideration concessions such as stamp duty or removal costs if you plan to renovate part of the property.

There are also helpful options, such as a First Home Owners Grant, that you may qualify for to help with the cost of buying your first house. Look at the whole picture, not just your monthly house payment.

Kinds of Mortgage

All mortgages are not created equal, so do some reading and see which kind of mortgage will be best for you. It’s smart to talk with your realtor or mortgage broker, but in the end, you will be the one making the payments so it’s important to understand what you are signing up for.

Having Money Saves Money

It’s not a requirement, but if you save up a deposit of at least 20% not only will it improve the interest rate you will be offered but you can avoid having to pay for Private Mortgage Insurance. A PMI agreement protects the seller in case you default and it can add up to thousands over the life of your mortgage.

Ready To Make An Offer

Once you fall in love with a particular house chances are someone else will be interested too, so be prepared to act. By knowing how the process works, what you can pay and being ready to make an offer you will be in a position to snap up that perfect house before anyone else can.

From Curtains to Carpentry

July 20, 2017 by Painter Mommy 2 Comments

6 Tips For Reinventing Your Home Without Renovation

We all want to live in a beautiful, cozy home.

Somewhere you love to relax after work, and entertain your friends on the weekends. But even if you are lucky enough to buy your dream home, or even rent it, there are often ways you would like to improve the space or style.

If home renovations aren’t really your skill set, don’t set those home style dreams on the shelf. There are plenty of ways to spruce up your home without having to knock down walls or spend a fortune on a contractor. Read on for my 6 top tips on how to reinvent your home without undertaking a renovation.

1) Window Treatments

Windows seem to be an overlooked when planning home decor. Often home-owners don’t know what to do with windows so they are left bare or maybe dressed with a simple blinds for privacy. If you are looking for a quick facelift to your living space, look no further than the windows. Choosing blinds for your home is sa great way add both function and style to your home.

2) Open Spaces

One of the things homeowners are looking for most right now is a house with open spaces. Where the living room and kitchen are open to each other, or rooms have ample space for hanging and entertaining. If your space is feeling a bit cramped, there are easy ways to give it more of an open space feel. Time to ditch big, bulky furniture for pieces that are more size appropriate for your space.

If new furniture isn’t in your budget, try rearranging what you already have, or even getting rid of something to create more space. If you have a large cabinet or another bulky piece of wood furniture try painting it a nice off-white colour so it blends in more.

3) Mirrors

Mirrors have way more function than just providing you a last glimpse of yourself before you walk out the door. Adding mirrors to smaller rooms will immediately give the appearance of more space. Placing mirrors opposite windows adds more natural light, and makes the room seem bigger and more open.

4) Lighting

Lighting is a really fun, affordable way to enhance any room, even a bathroom! A poorly lit room can small and cramped. The same room with good lighting will appear bright, airy and welcoming. Layering lighting is a great style technique. Adding tall floor lamps to otherwise dark corners, paired with smaller lamps on side tables will add depth and light to your home. If you are looking to take lighting to the next step, replace old light fixtures with more modern pieces and see your home come to life!

5) Cabinet Pulls

Another often overlooked style opportunity are the pulls on your cabinet.

So many houses have old, worn, dirty handles, pulls and knobs. This is a super easy fix to give your kitchen or bathroom an immediate facelift. A fun thing to do is contrast the cabinet pulls with the overall style. So if your kitchen is chabby chic, add modern pulls. If your kitchen is modern, add some artsy glass knobs.

6) Outdoor Spaces

Jealous that your friends seem to always be talking about the renovations to their homes? A new bathroom here. A fourth bedroom there. If this is out of your skill set and budget, it is time to look at what you do have and add some creativity.

Look outside! Even a small outdoor area can be jazzed up to be an additional living space.

A few things that can turn a patio or yard space into a desirable hang spot is a rug, a few cozy chairs, and maybe even a fire pit. Put some creativity and energy into your outdoor space and throw a party. Your friends will love it!

You don’t need in depth knowledge of a table saw or thousands of dollars to have a beautiful home. There are so many ways to spruce up the home without renovations with a little added time and creativity. I hope some of these tips inspired you to take a look around your house for ways to slowly but surely transform your house into your dream home.

3 of Signs It’s Time to Upgrade the HVAC System in Your Home

April 24, 2017 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Most households don’t notice their HVAC systems. As long as their home stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter then they don’t think about it. However, when it stops performing effectively or starts getting more disruptive, homeowners are forced to evaluate their HVAC units to determine what can be fixed and what needs to be replaced. Here are three signs that your HVAC system needs to be replaced or at least needs to be inspected.

There Is More Dust Floating Around

Image via Flickr by pulverizer_13

Dust is more than a cleaning annoyance. It can worsen your allergies and make your children sick. If they have asthma, they could struggle to breathe — even in their own homes. Furthermore, pollen from the outside can spread to areas like the bedroom and den that you want to feel comfortable in. Replacing your HVAC unit and cleaning your ducts can make it easy to breathe in your home again.

If you have noticed more dust in your home lately, check your air ducts to see if they’re particularly dusty. While air filters catch a significant amount of dirt and dust, older models are less effective at trapping these irritants. Your older home could also have decades of dust build up in your air ducts if they have never been cleaned.

Your Energy Bills Are Increasing

There are two signs that your HVAC system isn’t performing like it should: your energy bills are increasing and your system seems to run constantly. In this instance, you might have a leak in your air ducts that is pushing the air out of your home instead of inside your rooms. If your energy bills have been on the rise lately, pay attention to your HVAC system and see if it’s not turning off as often as it used to. The two could be correlated.

Before you decide to invest in a new system, call your local HVAC company for a checkup. There might be something wrong with your unit that’s causing it to run longer or push out room-temperature air. This could be an easier — and more affordable — fix than a complete replacement. During your tune-up, the HVAC professional will also check other sources around your home for leaks, like a drafty room or loose windows. This too could provide an affordable alternative to an HVAC replacement.

Your System Is Loud and Disruptive

Has your HVAC system grown louder in the past few years? Is there roaring and clanking that is keeping you and your kids up at night? If so, then your unit may be on its last legs. Older motors have to work harder and lose pipes or doors could lead to clanking noises.

This is another reason to have your HVAC unit inspected by a professional. He or she might be able to tighten up a few loose elements or find a way to muffle the sound of your system without requiring a complete replacement.

A poorly performing HVAC system can make the summer miserable, whether you’re sweating through the day or sneezing all night. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, then it might be time to invest in a modern unit.

Prepping an Ottawa Home for New Paint

October 6, 2015 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

The best way to revitalize the look of a home is by having it painted by a professional. The older that a home gets, the harder it will be for the owner to maintain the luster that it should have. Taking the time to finding the right peintre a Gatineau will allow the homeowner to get the right results without having to put in any work. Before the painting can being, the homeowner will need to start thinking about how they are going to prepare. There are a variety of things that a homeowner can do to make the painter’s job a bit easier.

Covering All Furniture

Covering all of the furniture in a home is the best way to reduce the chance that any paint gets on it in during the process. Having the furniture in the home exposed to these elements will usually end in disaster and can cause a lot of damage due to pain droplets getting on it. Buying some thicker plastic and some double sided tape can do wonders when trying to get the right covering for the furniture in a home. Neglecting to do this type of prep work will usually lead to a homeowner regretting it.

Filling Holes on the Wall

Filling the nail holes left in a home will be the next thing that a homeowner will need to think about. Over time, a wall will have many different holes put in it due to the hanging of pictures and other things. By taking some putty and filling the holes, the homeowner will help to ensure that a smooth coat of new paint is put on. The work that is put into this process will be worth it considering the great finished product that it will help to produce.

Cleaning and Priming Walls

When trying to get the right results from a home painting job, the homeowner will need to take the time to wash and then prime their walls. By taking a sponge with soap and water to a home, the homeowner will be able to get a great finished product. Usually, the primer that needs to be used can be bought rather inexpensively at local hardware stores. The time that is spent putting this type of work into prepping a home for paint is worth it due to the great results that will happen.

The right painting company will be able to come and get the job done in a hurry. Taking the time to choose the right painters will make this process much easier.