Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. How do you ensure you ll get the selling price you want for your home in a buyer s market? Now is not the time to install those granite countertops you ve been dreaming of because you probably won t get your money back. To get the best price you can without breaking the bank, grab a roller or hire a painter. Paint is the tried-and-true, budget home improvement that realtors recommend. Pay special attention to the areas that potential buyers will see first. On the front fa ade or even just the area around the front door, scrape and repaint any peeling or flaking areas to improve that all-important first impression. Be sure to repair any damage, nail holes or cracks, and choose an eggshell or a matte paint finish to take the focus off any imperfections. If the paint s still in good condition, a light pressure wash will brighten it up and welcome visitors. If your front door is purple or your wallpaper saw Nixon impeached, now is the time to go for cream, white or beige. Some realtors even recommend repainting the whole interior in off-white to provide a clean slate. It might not be your style, but the more neutral your home s color palette, the more possibilities a buyer will see there, and that s where your work will pay off. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

The technique of faux painting adds grace and sophistication to any room. Striped effects create rich textures and handmade detail that cannot be matched by wallpaper patterns, and they make a room with a low ceiling appear taller.

The technique known as faux painting adds grace and sophistication to any room. These combing effects create rich textures and handmade detail to the wall finish, which cannot be matched by similar wallpaper patterns.

Faux leather techniques create striking textures and handmade detail that cannot be matched by similar wallpaper patterns.

Bellacor is committed to a simple mission: Connect the customer to the right product, from the largest possible selection, at the best possible price and with the highest level of personal service. Bellacor integrates access to over 500,000 lighting products and home furnishings from 700

Over 21,000 residential and commercial plumbing products that are on hand and ready for same day shipping from our big network of warehouses scattered throughout the United States.

personal satisfaction. Three years ago, Jane Green found herself living in a house she once loved but no longer did; in a failing marriage; and at a crossroads where she could either stick with the same, old misery or choose an exciting yet scary fresh start.

People want to get that spa retreat feel out of their bathrooms, says Mark Karas, president-elect of the National Kitchen and Bath Association, which owns the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show and Conference, the largest gathering of kitchen and bath suppliers, designers and ideas.

An updated kitchen can make cooking and cleaning easier and let you enjoy the space more. Kitchen improvements are also most likely to create an impression on prospective homebuyers and bring a high return when you sell your home.

The backsplash is the perfect union of form and function in the kitchen. As its name indicates, the backsplash protects the kitchen wall from damage and cooking messes. It also provides an easier surface to clean than drywall.