REAL ESTATE PROS SHARE THEIR SECRETS Weekend DIY projects to spruce up your home By Al Parker March Madness is underway on college basketball courts, but it’s also happening here in northern Michigan. It’s that heady, springtime feeling that hits homeowners who are interested in selling their houses. Northern Express reached out to real estate experts across the region seeking tips for folks looking to enhance their home’s value or beauty over a weekend, on a budget, and with minimal DIY skills. Here is their sage advice.
BEFORE Painted Tile
Bridget Maguire of Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors TIP #1: Paint Dated Tile “Backsplashes, showers, [and] tiled countertops can all use a nice lift with a few coats of tile paint. One pack of Rust-Oleum’s Tub & Tile paint can cover 10-110 square feet of tiled space for only $50, although I would recommend doing a few coats.” How to: • Remove caulk by any seams that will need to be re-caulked • Clean and sand the tile area • Tape off and cover areas that will not be painted • Put on safety gear and ventilate your workspace • Use disposable rollers and/or paint brushes to apply paint to the tile area. Let the first coat dry and apply another. • Allow room to dry. Consider staying elsewhere for a day or two while the paint dries and the fumes dissipate. Cost: $200 for paint, brushes/rollers, tape, drop cloths, gloves, safety goggles, and tile cleaner Labor: 1-2 days
12 • march 21, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly
AFTER Painted Tile
TIP #2: Power Wash Your Home’s Exterior “I think that a power washer is one of the most valuable tools a homeowner could own, from removing chipped paint to cleaning vinyl siding, decks, and concrete to removing moss and preparing windows and screens for warmer weather…and even cleaning area rugs!” How to: • Hook up the power washer to a garden hose. Start at the highest point of the project (top of the house, top of the driveway). Be sure to check pressure and/or test spots before using machines on decking, wood siding, etc. • Clean all areas near windows and entry areas. Follow window cleaning with proper window cleaner and squeegee. • Once your driveway or deck has been cleaned, take out your exterior rugs and even interior area rugs (that can be cleaned). Use biodegradable soap and the power washer to clean the rugs. Use foldable picnic tables or saw horses to hang rugs dry in the garage or under a porch. Cost: Buy a power washer for as little as $99 or rent from TC Rentals for $75-$90 per day, depending on the machine. Labor: half a day to a weekend, depending on the scope of the cleaning
