BobVila.com

Get the best results from your paint roller by tackling one small section of the wall at a time. Be generous with the paint, if you hear it "sizzle" you're rolling too thin. Make a "V" with the roller, about the width of your forearm, then fill in horizontally smoothing the sections with a few downward strokes.

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

Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Interior painting is one of the all-time favorite do-it-yourself jobs, but like everything else, there is a right and wrong way to paint a room. Make it easy on yourself and do it like the pros. Start by emptying the room or at least giving yourself access to all of the walls by grouping and covering furniture in the center. Mask off the floor carefully with tape and dropcloths, rosin paper or painter s plastic. Shut off the power to the room and remove lighting fixtures and electrical plates. Remove the window hardware as well. Some skip these steps and wind up spending more time cleaning up drips and spills or replacing ruined items. Prep is as important as paint. Fill and patch nail holes and imperfections and clean the woodwork. Prime any bare wood, new drywall or stained areas. Paint the room from the top down. Start with the ceiling, cutting in from the edges with a brush and rolling the rest in long, even strokes with a roller on an extension rod. Wait between steps for the paint to dry. Cut in for the walls next using a brush or paint pad to follow the line of the ceiling. Don t worry too much about neatness around the trim since you ll paint that last. Actually, a good thick layer between the wall and trim will help fill any gaps for a uniform look. The walls need at least two coats with a roller: the first will hide any imperfections in the wall, the second will even out the finish. Use an extension roller here to keep your strokes and pressure even and to save your back. Once the walls are dry, tackle the trim from the top down with a good 3- or 4-inch brush. If your hand isn t steady, you can mask window panes with tape and stick-on corners. A small paint pad made especially for sash will help you stay inside the lines, and a good sharp razor blade will get rid of any mistakes after the paint is dry. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008