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6 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Painting Indoors_

6 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Painting Indoors?

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Stuck indoors and running out of things to do? Nooooo. Paint. Paint. Paint! You can transform a boring old room in no time with a quick coat of paint. Just make sure you do it like a prop and avoid these mistakes when painting indoors.

1. Using the Wrong Brush

Natural bristle brushes work best with oil-based paints and synthetic brushes work best with water-based latex paint. If you’re going to be cutting in, by a good-quality, angled sash brush. You can easily cut in perfectly into the corners, edges, and around the doorframe with the right brush.

Also, people tend to use their brushes over and over and they simply don’t last forever. A good paintbrush can have the ability to spread paint on the walls with an even and rich coat every time so it really pays to buy the best paintbrush for the job. If you’re planning on painting several rooms or need to several different angles, finding a pro-grade pack of three or four brushes in various sizes and angles is really the best option. You’ll want thick, synthetic filament to hold more pate and insurer a smooth finish.

2. Leaving that Funny Blue Painter’s Tape Up too Long

You’ll need tape if you’re painting indoors. Don’t let it sit too long or else! Yes, it might be painter’s tape but if you let it stick for too long, it could peel off the paint underneath. Don’t let that painter’s tape wrap around door frames, windows, and other items for too long. No more than about 24 hours. If you did leave it on too long, try a blow dryer to heat it up to ease removal.

3. Not Watching the Weather.

Summer is typically the best time to paint for a variety of reasons. Warmer weather means less moisture in the air making the paint more adhesive. Higher temperatures will allow the paint to dry quicker as well. With more moisture in the air, the paint will feel tacky even after several hours of drying. If you are going to paint in the cooler seasons, and let’s face it, it doesn’t get that cool around here, try doing it on at least a sunny day with lower humidity.

4. Not Using Primer

Unless you want to see that old color shining through, it’s best to use a primer. Can you use a primer that’s built into the paint? Yes, but cheap paint is exactly that… Cheap paint. If you’d like it to stick, last, not give streaks and not show the old paint through, it’s time to pony up a little bit more money and go for a higher quality paint. When talking paint, you definitely get what you pay for.

5. Roller Marks on the Ceiling

roller marks on the ceiling… I’m sure we’ve all lived in a house where we’ve laid down on the bed only to see the evidence of a previous poor paint job. Avoid this by leaving yourself some room at the top and then go back later and paint that strip. Use window cleaner to clean up wet paint spots.

6. Trying to Cover Wall Paper With Water-Based Paint.

No. No. No. You must use Oil-based paint for this. Seriously, don’t do this. You will regret it and it will be a pain to try to take off later on. It’s best to use heat, moisture, steam, or other methods to take off the wallpaper ahead of time and then put up the right type of paint. Yes, you can use oil-based paint to cover up wallpaper, especially old wallpaper that simply is not going to budge, but it’s best to remove it, scrape it, and start all over if possible.

If you are working with an older home prior to the 1970s, this might be a little more tricky as most paint may have led base materials in it. You may want to enlist the help of a professional to remove the paint or any asbestos or popcorn ceilings before painting.

Paint is really one of the best things to give you a good bang for your buck when it comes to staging or to simply changing the look and feel of a room. However, don’t cut corners. You’ll regret it.

Looking to buy or sell your home in Santa Monica or Pacific Palisades or anywhere throughout Los Angeles County? Give me a call. I’d love to help price your home correctly, get it sold quickly, especially in today’s hot market, or negotiate on your behalf to buy the property of your dreams.

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Additional Home Tips:

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Ask a REALTOR® – What Comes with the House?

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This is a very common question and one that all home buyers should be fully aware of before signing on the dotted line. What exactly comes with the house?You’d better ask these 5 CRUCIAL QUESTIONS before you buy a house

I can offer a blanket answer in that the contract is like the real estate Bible when it comes to the details of the transaction. Just about anything can be put in the contract as long as it is agreed upon by both buyer and seller. However, there are always things that come up that we can’t cover in one simple blog post. There will always be something that a buyer will ask if it’s included in the sale of the property because every single transaction and property are different.

We’ve had a question such as “does the carpet or tile come with the house”? This might sound like a silly question but in real estate, there really are no silly questions. We want all of our buyers to completely understand what they are getting in the sale. A generalized answer is anything that is attached to the house should go with the sale of the property. This means anything that is even remotely attached such as curtain rods, blinds, flooring, light fixtures, sinks, and anything that is permanently attached to the house. Yes, you might be able to remove a bookshelf from the attached wall but if it leaves a mark or a space where there obviously was something there, that should be included in the sale.

Sellers may want to take some things with them such as potted plants, curtains, or certain tapestries or light fixtures and in this case, they should be included in the contract. Buyers have to agree that the seller can take these items when they move. Buyers also have the ability to negotiate if they want something of the sellers that the seller would normally take with them.

We’ve had cases where there is a backyard swimming pool that is portable and could be removed that the buyer has asked to keep. The seller would need to agree to that before they could leave it on the property at closing. There are built-in bookshelves, wine racks, closet systems and other items that can be negotiated on whether they go or stay. However, if a buyer is unsure about any item in the home or outside of the home, it is important that they ask. You never know what the seller is going to take with them and if the seller removes items that are attached to the property without the

You never know what the seller is going to take with them and if the seller removes items that are attached to the property without the buyer’s knowledge or agreement, the seller is responsible for replacing them.

Related: Other Funny Questions Realtors® have been Asked

Again, every single transaction is different and we never know what we might come across with so many different parties working in a real estate transaction. We’ve had homeowners that have taken a hot tub with them and left all of the exposed wiring and plumbing behind. This obviously should of been included with the sale or at least mentioned that they were taking it with them. Not being clear and removing items or assuming items will stay can lead to lawsuits and disappointments.

Again, it is important to ask. Never feel hesitant to ask questions even if you think they are silly. As a buyer or a seller, it’s important to know everything you are getting with the property.

More Resources:

9 Questions to Ask Before and During Video Home Tours

Mortgage Options for the Self-Employed

5 Reasons to Consider Homes Outside Your Price Range

You’d better ask these 5 CRUCIAL QUESTIONS before you buy a house

9 Questions to Ask Before and During Video Home Tours

9 Questions to Ask Before and During Video Home Tours

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Though parts of the country are slowly opening back up there are still some areas that are in the beginning stages of opening and still using distancing measures to carry out business and daily activities. In many areas, video home tours are still being used as a way to continue to sell homes and help out those looking for a home. Especially for buyers and sellers who are still at high risk or would prefer to take more precautious. 

If the home you are interested in is using/requesting video tours at this time here are some good questions to ask before, during, and after the tour to make sure you are getting to know as much about the home as possible.  9 Questions to Ask Before and During Video Home Tours

Questions to Ask Before the Tour

  • Can I get a copy of the floorplan to reference during the video? : When someone else is walking through the home on video it can be easy to get disoriented from what is where. Having a floor plan handy can help to give you a better feel for where the tour guide is in the home, how big the rooms actually are, and what rooms are nearby.  
  • Can you use a platform that will allow you to record our tour so I can watch it multiple times?: Touring a home without seeing it in person does seem like a disadvantage, but here is where it can be an advantage. This gives you the chance to  go back and watch the video and study parts of the home you are most interested in. This gives you the opportunity to not just go off of memory from a one time visit. It enables you to make a very informed decision.  
  • Can You Spend extra Time and Attention on These Areas?: Communicate with your realtor or the person assigned to host the video tour the attributes of a home you are most interested in. Do you need a large master walk-in closet with plenty of organized shelving? Are you hoping for a mudroom? Do you need more than one living/family room? Ask for those things to be highlighted in detail on your tour. 

 Related: 5 Requests Buyers Should Never Ask For

Questions to Ask During the Tour 

  • Does anything look worn or damaged?: Sometimes it can be hard to tell through video because the camera does not pick up fine detail.  
  • What are the noise levels like in and around the home?: If a home is on a busy street or close to local business it is good to be aware of how much the surrounding noise is noticed in and around the home. If you purchase the house you will be living in that noise.  
  • Can you open all of the window coverings?: Most of the time the seller or their agent will make sure this is done, but it does get missed or even used as a way to gloss over an unsightly view or the neighboring house being super close.  
  • What appliances are staying and what shape are they in? Can you open them up?: If the appliances are staying you want to know how old they are, if they seem to be working well, if there is any cosmetic damage, and what they feature/how they function. This will help you to know if you will need to plan on buying new appliances that are a better fit for you or if you will need to replace old and dying items.  
  • Can you walk around the back yard and show me how much privacy there is from the neighbors?: Most of us that enjoy spending time in our back yard like to be able to getoutside on our own terms in our own space and in privacy. Having a backyard that is right in the sight lines of the neighbors two story deck isn’t very appealing. You may need to build a privacy wall or consider a different home.  
  • Can we stop and look at that again?: If you do not feel like you got a good enough look at something don’t be afraid to ask to go back and take a second look. This is a huge investment and you want to be sure you are making the right choice. 

 Related: Contract Questions for First Time Home Buyers

Questions to Ask After the Tour

  • What are your thoughts after walking through the home?: If your agent is the one hosting the video tour and the home buyer is in the property at the time they are going to reserve their thoughts during the tour. If this is the case make sure to ask them for their thoughts and concerns after the video when they are no longer on the property and able to speak more honestly with you.  

 More: Nervous to look for homes during the pandemic?

Are you looking for a home in Pacific Palisades or surrounding areas? Please contact me any time. I would love to help you find just the right home during this time.  

More: 5 Reasons to Look at Homes Outside Your Price Range

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Coronavirus Keeping You From Seeing and Touring Homes for Sale?

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Coronavirus Keeping You From Seeing and Touring Homes for Sale? Don’t give up! Use my Live Video-Chat Tours
March 25, 2020

You may find it difficult to tour homes during the Coronavirus pandemic and you may feel it is near impossible to move forward on seeing enough homes to even consider putting in an offer.

Fortunately, your search for real estate in Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and Malibu does not have to stop. I can take you on a live virtual tour of any home you wish to view while concurrently giving you an in-person perspective. This allows you to avoid the risk of being exposed to infection. LA Exclusive’s live virtual tour of a home also lets you view other areas that you may be considering when you can’t get there in person.

This is a simple and convenient way to continue your home search when other buyers may be on the sidelines.

How do you schedule a live-chat tour? Just contact me here by cell or email Contact me for your Virtual Tour and we can schedule something when you are available. Once you do, I will contact you to confirm the date and time.

You can also close on the property virtually via eClosing with First American Title. with out leaving your secure bunker. The process is now completely digital.

Of course, you can still see homes with 3D walkthroughs if the Realtor set that up. It’s a great way to see a high resolution interactive view from every angle inside a home.

On my new listings, I am including the video-chat and 3D walk throughs at no charge to my Sellers. This will be the new norm and you won’t have all that traffic coming through your home.

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Mortgage Options for the Self-Employed

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Mortgage Options for the Self-Employed – Entrepreneurs and the self-employed are not uncommon in Los Angeles County. Therefore, the chances of this demographic applying for a home loan is not that rare either. But, have you ever tried to get a home loan without verification of income? It’s not as easy as handing over a W-2 or proof of monthly income. But, many self-employed individuals and families may not have the exact proof when it comes to W-2s or even tax returns. While tax returns are probably the most common way for self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs to obtain a home loan, they’re not the only way.

Additional: 3 Things You Should do Before Applying for a Mortgage

Mortgage Options for the Self-Employed

Self-employed individuals and families can receive income from a variety of different ways. Perhaps last year they worked three different jobs plus some self-employment and this year they have worked two separate self-employment jobs. The income can get quite scattered and while it all benefits to the debt to income ratio that a borrower would need to prove, sometimes, proving that income is a little tricky. This is where bank statement loans come into play.

12 years ago when the subprime mortgage bust corrupted and destroyed much of the housing market and economy, lenders were passing out loans left and right regardless of income. This predatory lending got a lot of banks in trouble and it lost a lot of people there homes. Today, many more obstacles are in place to protect both lenders, banks, and individuals. We certainly don’t want to loan more money than you can afford to pay back. But it gets a little trickier for the self-employed. This is where bank statement loans have become an option.

There are several ways to go about this – Mortgage Options for the Self-Employed

  • To obtain a bank statement self-employment loan you still need to have decent credit. A minimum credit score of 600 is required to be eligible for a stated income employment loan.
  • In the state of California, borrowers may borrow up to $3 million and a minimum of $150,000.
  • There is no prepayment penalty
  • foreclosures, short sales, and bankruptcies can be disregarded with a letter of explanation but each lender is different.
  • Some condominiums and townhouses may also be considered.
  • Lenders use personal and/or business bank statements to obtain income.
  • Interest rates may be slightly higher than a typical self-employment loan but some competitive rates can start as little as 3.25%.
  • Applicants are required to put down as little as 10% with no mortgage insurance.
  • If applicants are business owners they do not have to be the 100% owner of the business.

There are a lot of different options when it comes to self-employed home loans. In 2020, there are several new home buyer programs including the CalHFA zero interest program, schoolteacher and employee assistance programs, and even grant and down payment assistance programs.

Related: 5 Reasons to Consider a Home Outside Your Price Range

If you are self-employed and looking to either refinance or obtain a home loan, don’t be discouraged. California has a lot of great options for the self-employed and entrepreneurs in our state.

Schedule a Consultation Today

More: 5 Crucial Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home

Pros and Cons to Buying a Home That’s Been on the Market a While

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