MARCH 20, 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 12
RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
Always Available Online SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 37
RE WEEKLY
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 36
RE WEEKLY STORY
COUNTY
STORY
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• AREA DEVELOPMENT • FARM • COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE 317 5th Street, Ames State of Iowa 515-233-3299 • ® licensed in the
RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL 515-233-3299 • AREA DEVELOPMENT • 317
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Realtors, do you want to reach a wider group of potential buyers? Advertise in the RE Weekly. In print and online.
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REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, March 20, 2019 • Page RE3
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Condo painting tips P
By Laura Firszt | More Content Now
ainting a condo is different from painting a house in a few significant ways. You have to deal with building rules and regulations, as well as working in a tighter space. But it will be a fun and easy home improvement if you follow these painting tips. (P.S.: Many of these apply to painting a house, too.)
Condo painting tips • Make sure the condo board approves your plans before you shell out for new paint. If you’re renting, get your landlord’s OK, too — and clarify who pays for painting. • Notify neighbors in advance, so they won’t be surprised by inconveniences like odors (which will spread to common areas, even if you use safer, healthier low-VOC paints) or a crew of painters tying up the elevator. • Deal with your stuff. Unlike a homeowner, you won’t be able to stash belongings in the garage, basement, or yard while the work is in progress. Squeeze as much as possible into your storage locker, then move large furnishings to the center of the rooms, and cover well. • Will the painting be a DIY project? Arrange to borrow or rent some of the tools you’ll need (see list of painting tools), rather than purchasing them. • Carefully calculate how much paint to buy. While a little leftover is great for touchups, remember you have limited storage space. Very. Limited. Storage. Space. Figure 1 gallon of paint per 400 square feet of surface — more if you’re covering a dark color. • Whether you’re going to do it yourself or hire a painting contractor, double-check the days and hours that work is permitted in your building, and schedule painting accordingly. • Check, too, for any special rules about painting limited common property, such as railings of outdoor areas (your balcony or terrace) or your condo’s front door.
Prep is time-consuming but worth the trouble; it makes the paint job go easier and last longer. Invest in high quality paint. Once again, top quality paint and primer will cover your walls much more smoothly and evenly, and prove more durable over the long term. It will also look fantastic, so don’t cheap out. Dry paint quickly. Choose a dry, breezy day for painting, mild enough to leave the windows and balcony door open. If you’re in a rush, speed up drying with a fan, space heater, and/or dehumidifier.
Basic painting tools • Cleaning supplies for walls • Spackling and putty knife • Sandpaper • Paint, primer, and stirrer • Brush(es), roller, and tray • Drop cloth(s) These extras make painting a lot easier • Ladder or stepstool. I own a folding aluminum ladder — simple to move and to store (even in my 800 sq. ft. condo). It features a ledge with tool holes and hooks, plus a shelf perfect for holding a paint tray. • Tray liner for simplified cleanup • Roller extender • Cutting brush or edge-painting tool to avoid covering everything with hard-to-remove painters tape • Razor blade, for removing paint spatters from window glass
Best paint colors for condos and other small spaces New neutrals. Avoid white, the old standby for compact spaces, which can actually make your rooms look smaller, and the other standby, beige, which is just so … well … beige. Try subduedbut-not-boring shades of lavender, gray, or turquoise.
painters, find out where the crew members can park while they’re working in your unit.
Your favorite color. After all, you’ll be living with the paint color up close and personal in a small condo, so go for something you love (in moderation if it’s really bold).
• Clarify your building’s rules for disposal of paint cans once the job is done.
A lighter or darker version of your main color for the ceiling. Rule of thumb: If
• If you decide to use professional
Painting tips for everyone Take time to prepare for painting the right way. Move furniture, remove electric
socket and switch covers, get rid of peeling paint or mold, and clean and repair walls. Prime if you’ve made a lot of repairs or are going for a much lighter color.
your ceiling is 8 feet high or less, paint it two shades lighter than the walls. If it’s higher than 8 feet (lucky you), go two shades darker. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, March 20, 2019 • Page RE5
TIPS OF THE WEEK RENOVATION
GARDENING
HOME DECOR
SPRUCE UP WITH TILE
WHAT TO GROW ON A BALCONY
REFRESH USING PILLOWS
Looking to create an inviting room? Consider tile! Here are some ideas from Barbara Barry, who designed the Ann Sacks Radius Collection:
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, before you choose plants for a balcony or terrace, you first need to know how much sun the area receives.
• Use tiles interchangeably to create a design, elevating baseboards, fireplace surrounds or backsplash areas.
If your balcony faces south and receives direct sun all day, cacti, many flowers and most vegetables will thrive there.
“Throw pillows are basically makeup for your living room,” says TheSpruce.com. Therefore you can easily swap them up by the season or even to match your mood. Try mixing a variety of sizes and colors together on a couch or loveseat. Or use accent pillows to try some of the hottest fabric trends such as reversible sequins or rich jewel tones.
• Choose colors that work with elements already in the room. Consider complementary color pairs such as red-green, blue-orange or yellow-purple.
If your balcony faces north or is shaded by other buildings, try low-light plants such as coleus, ferns, impatiens, hostas and begonias.
• Choose differently textured materials to break up an ordinary surface. Tile adds an interesting textural element to a room.
— More Content Now
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DEAR MONTY
Tips when searching for housing cooperatives Bureauestimates about 1 million units. This method of housing, although a tiny portion in the market, is an accepted segment of the national housing supply. It is a segment worth investigating.
The major differences RICHARD MONTGOMERY
R
eaders question: What is a hous-
ing cooperative?
Monty’s answer: A cooperative is a form of ownership that creates an interest in an abode through stock ownership in a company, as opposed to a deed to a parcel of real estate. It could also be the owner of a lease in a building owned by a cooperative. Cooperatives are a minimal component of the housing stock in the United States. The U.S. Census
With a co-op, you own a share in the company that owns the real estate, while in a condo you own a portion of the real estate. The company has a board that vets and selects your neighbors in a co-op, but anyone can buy a condo. The board can change rules in a co-op, but all owners have a vote on regulations in a condo. There are three types of co-ops - market rate, lease only and limitedequity. Condos are exclusively market rate ownership.
5 tips to consider 1. Comparative shop. The concept of comparative shopping is critical in this
sector because the differences in the methods of organization can be striking. Take written notes. 2. The rules are very different. Obtain a written copy of the regulations to ensure you understand how the board can change the rules, voting rights and by-laws. 3. Understand the motives of the promoters. While many cooperatives are
labeled “non-profit” and cooperative law regulates certain developer activities, understand the generation of income and expense. Ask your accountant to review the financials before committing. 4. Ask the right questions. How many units are vacant? How many re-sales have you had in the past 12 months? What is your annual budget for repairs and maintenance? Can I examine the
budget? How much capital in reserve? Are the buildings concrete and masonry or wood-frame? How is the sound attenuation between units? 5. Ask for references from residents (exclude board members) and from residents that have sold their units. There are
some horror stories out there.
Richard Montgomery is the author of “House Money - An Insider’s Secrets to Saving Thousands When You Buy or Sell a Home.” He advocates industry reform and offers readers unbiased real estate advice. Follow him on Twitter at @dearmonty, or find him at DearMonty.com.
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