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The Once-A-Year Once-Over for your home
SWIM. TU THr TIMIB-JtH XNAI
You may not judge a book
by its cover, but think again if
you're applying that adage to
your home. Whether buying,
selling or staying put, your
home’s exterior greatly affects
first impressions as well as
market value
By properly maintaining its
exterior, your home’s curb
appeal is enhanced and you
protect your investment While
no home is truly maintenance
free, an annual house checkup
keeps chores in check and
rewards you while you live
there and when you sell.
"Curb appeal is one of the
most important factors in
home sales," says Kathy
Diffley, president of the St.
Paul. Minn , Area Association
of Realtors. "If you drive up to
a house that’s well cared for,
buyers become excited." In
fact, Diffley asserts that many
buyers make a decision within
a few seconds of arriving at a
hyme - before even entering
the front door
"Buyers are busy. " says
Diffley. "There’s seldom time
to view an interior il the exte
rior is disappointing " Both the
condition and color of a
home’s exterior affect buyers’
impressions According to Ray
Pittman, a Chicago industrial
designer and member of the
prestigious Color Marketing
Group, color also influences
purchase decisions. Pittman,
who advises Masonite
Corporation on color choices
for their Colorlok- factory fin
ished hardboard siding line,
says. "Introducing a new. care
fully selected siding color, or
tweaking’ a current shade, has
been known to increase a sid
ing’s sales bv as much as 40
percent in just one year" And
maintenance of your home's
exterior should increase its
worth and your pleasure
Think of home maintenance
as physical fitness for your
home. This enables you to take
preventative measures to avoid
situations that can become
time-consuming, costly prob
lems
Start with a yearly home
inspection It's all 100 easy to
become complacent about
minor problems right under
your nose Drive up to your
house, viewing it through the
eyes of a buyer. As Diffley
puts it. "It's amazing what
homeowners suddenly see!"
First, how do your sidewalk
and driveway look? Do you
see cracks or buckles?
Consider calling an expert to
determine if replacement is
needed, or it othei remedies
will help. Next, check out your
landscaping. Is it neatly
trimmed, or overgrown ’ Are
foliage and shrubbery sur
rounding your home gangly or
growing against the siding? If
so. trim them to restore that
“cared for" lr»ok
This also benefits your sid
ing by restoring air circulation
between shrubs and siding, and
giving sunshine access to help
keep the siding dry
While inspecting, check to
see if algae or mildew is grow
ing on the siding, especially
behind the plants It so. buy a
mildew wash at your local
hardware store and apply it to
affected areas. Follow with a
close look at doors and win
dows. Your front door nob
only keeps out the cold, it's
also your home's welcome
mat " Check its appearance
and make any needed
improvements. (How’s the
screen door' 1 Polish that door
knob and/or kick-plate
Repaint if color is fading )
Next, lake a close look at your
windows Is the trim peeling or
bubbling ’ It may be time to
scrape and repaint
Now take a look at the
house as a whole. Ikies your
home's exterior appear clean
and well maintained ’ Does the
siding have dents, cracks or
discoloration’ Check siding
for any nail or caulking irregu
larities It nails protrude, light
ly lap them flush w ith the sid
ing.
If nails arc overdriven, till
in with a high-quality caulk
Also, apply new caulk in
places where the old is loose or
cracked, after removing old
caulk Is your paint cracking,
flaking, eroding, or is the color
simply out ot date? A fresh
coat may be the best solution.
Be sure to clean your siding
prior to repainting It any sub
strate is bare, apply primer and
follow with two high-quality
topcoats. Also, remember to
paint the bottom edge ot the
siding as well as the face
Carefully select vour new
color to ensure lasting appeal
"Lifestyles influence color In
today’s working world, the
hectic pace makes us seek
comfort and sanctuary at
home." says designer Pittman.
“Colors are taking their cue
from nature. Brick and stone
elements and generous roof
designs require siding colors
that complement and integrate
with these natural materials."
For example, tans, buffs,
khakis and warm grays work
very well Color elements and
craftsmanship elements w ill tie
it all together Add>. Pittman,
biding color lightened live
umes becomes the perfect trim
shade Pastels are returning, but
more like faded, stronger colors,
rather than the chalkier pastels of
yesterday.” Maybe it’s time to
replace your siding altogether.
f ■ Dl life.
—cJMMMLas . i, _a—n
Sp*c>o| phcHoi
TAKE A LOOK - Giving your home on annual cbackup can prevent small prob
lems from getting big!
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CAULKING can prevent problems
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FRESHEN UP - A fresh coat of paint
can work wonders.
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CURB APPEAL - Regular maintenance will pay off when it's time to sell.
Hardboard sidings resist the
denting, cracking, rusting or cor
roding to which other sidings are
susceptible.
.Realtor Diffley reminds us of
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TRIM SHRUBS - Give your home a
cared for look all around.
Spring Home and Garden, March 18. 1998
the number one rule of home
maintenance. “Don’t get behind
Stay abreast of what needs to he
done.”
PREVENTION saves time later.
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