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Fix Housing First Act

by Galand Haas

Good Monday Morning!

The "Fix Housing First Act", which is part of the Senate's Economic Stimilus Bill is now in front of the Senate and waiting for approval before being sent to the House.  This is an Act that would have far reaching effects and would certainly go a long way towards ending the free fall of our nations housing industry.  Passage of this Bill by both the House and the Senate would be a giant step towards ending the country's current economic woes.  In my mind this part of the Bill is the first real attempt thet I have seen towards an actual solution for the housing market woes.  This bill includes a $15,000 tax credit for all homebuyers, the reduction of interest rates on 30 year fixed mortgages to 4.5-4% and other important conditions that would quickly stimulate the housing market and this country's economy.

I strongly urge anyone who is passionate about turning our country's housing industry around to call or e-mail your Senators and Representatives and urge quick passage of this Act.

Have An Awesome Week!

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

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Price: $299,000.00

Beds: 3

Baths: 2.5

Sq Ft: 2096

Description: This unique and contemporary home is located in the Southwest hills of Eugene and offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and approximately 2,096 square feet. A large covered front porch invites you into the ....

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AND HERE'S YOUR MONDAY MORNING COFFEE!!

Sincerely,
Galand

Picking Home Paint Colors

by Galand Haas

Picking House Colors

Tips To Help You Choose

Richmond Bisque... Deep Russet... Hickory...

The names are enough to make your head spin. Choosing a paint color becomes even more baffling when you consider that most homes use at least three different shades -- one for the siding and two or more for trim and accents such as doors, railings and window sashes.

A well-chosen selection of contrasting trim and accent colors can draw attention to architectural details and disguise design flaws. A poor selection can make a house seem flat and featureless -- Or so garish that the color overwhelms the architecture. But, how do you decide?

Here are a few pointers to guide you as you choose house paint colors.

Historic Authenticity
If you are planning to paint an older home, you have three options.

  • You can hire a pro to analyze old paint chips and recreate the original color.
  • You can refer to historic color charts and select shades that might have been used at the time your home was built.
  • Or, you can fly in the face of history and choose bright modern colors to dramatize architectural details.
The third option can produce startling and exciting results. But before you buy 10 gallons of bubblegum pink, it's a good idea to look at what your neighbors are doing.

Neighborhood Context
A fluorescent colored Victorian that looks splendid in San Francisco will seem wildly out of place in more conservative neighborhoods. Even if you are opting for a more subtle scheme, you'll want to make sure that your colors are compatible with the houses next door.

Existing Colors
Your house is your canvas, but it is not blank. Some colors are already established. What color is your roof? Is there mortar or other siding that will not be painted? Will doors and railings remain their existing colors? New paint does not need to match existing colors, but it should harmonize.

Interior Colors
It may seem comical to paint entire house based on the pattern of a pillow case, but this approach does make sense. The color of your furnishings will guide you in the selection of your interior paint colors, and your interior paint colors will influence the colors you use outside. Once again, your goal is to harmonize.

Accents
Depending on the size and complexity of your home, you may be choosing two, three or as many as six colors. In addition to the color you select for siding, you'll want to select accent colors for trim and details such as shutters, moldings and columns. This can be tricky, because too many colors will overwhelm your house and too few will make it seem two dimensional.

Darks and Lights
Light colors will make your house seem larger. Dark siding or dark bands of trim will make your house seem smaller, but will draw more attention to details. Darker shades are best for accenting recesses, while lighter tones will highlight details which project from the wall surface. On traditional Victorian homes, the darkest paint is often used for the window sashes.

Harmony and Contrast
Contrasting colors will draw attention to architectural details. But, extreme contrasts will clash and actually detract from details. To be safe, consider staying within a single color family. For some accents, try using a darker or lighter shade instead of a different color.

Balance
A burst of a single color on just one part of your home may give it a lopsided appearance. Strive to balance colors over the entire building.

Durability
The more intense a color, the more likely it is to fade. After a few years, vivid blues and deep reds will seem more subdued. Dark colors also pose more maintenance problems. Dark colors absorb heat and suffer more moisture problems than lighter shades. And because dark paint fades, it's difficult to touch up.

Sheen
You thought you only had to pick colors? Sorry! In addition, you'll also need to decide on the sheen of your paint -- glossy, semi-gloss or flat. The glossier the surface, the more likely it is to show imperfections, brush strokes and touch up marks. On the other hand, glossy surfaces are easier to clean. Many homeowners opt to use flat paint for walls and semi-gloss or glossy paint for columns, railings and window sashes.

Color Deceptions
Color swatches look very different when they are brought out of the store and viewed in natural sunlight. Also, colors appear lighter on large surfaces than they do on small samples. It's best to test your selected color in one area before buying gallons of paint.

Tips and Resources

Paint Your House!
Find paint color software, paint color books, paint color tips, and more articles like this one.

Old-House Tool Kit
Find how-to help for all your home renovation projects, plus historic building plans and a guide to researching the history of your house.

 

 

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Haas Real Estate Team
Keller Williams Realty Eugene and Springfield
2645 Suzanne Way Suite 2A
Eugene OR 97408
Direct: (541) 349-2620
Fax: 541-687-6411

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