‘A dramatic difference’

Like in years past, the Image Enhancement Committee of Creston is offering paint and painting supplies through the Paint Creston program to a minimum of four Creston owner occupied homes in 2021. The homes selected this year will join 58 other homes from the past twelve years.

While paint may bump up a home’s curb appeal, it doesn’t necessarily increase a home’s assessed value, which has been a factor preventing some individual s from participating in the Image Enhancement Committee’s Paint Creston program.

“The assessment on a home will not raise if the home is painted ... contrary to popular belief,” said Mindy Schaefer, Union County assessor.

Shaefer said, for a home’s assessed value to increase, a number of factors are considered, such as the condition of the home

“When we change a condition of a home, we are typically looking for multiple changes than just painting of a home,” she said. “We look at, did they put in new windows? Did they put on a new roof? Have they fixed a problem the foundation? Have they remodeled the interior? Have they updated the electrical? Have they updated the heating? And this is all in comparison to the year that the house was built.”

Ellen Gerharz, Creston Chamber of Commerce executive director said the committee started the program to help save some homes from being torn down.

“Our hope was, if we were to get to these houses in time, and they really need just paint and a little TLC, that we can stop the house from deteriorating to the point where they need to be bulldozed down,” Gerharz said.

In order to be considered for the Paint Creston program, the home needs to be owner occupied, in the city limits of Creston and the home owner must have the ability to get the home painted by Oct. 12. Those purchasing homes on contract also qualify. Gerharz said, In the past the painting or help with it has been done by the home owner, family and friends of the homeowner, or organizations that the home owner is directly involved with.

Interested homeowner needs to complete an application. Applications are available at the Chamber Office, 208 W. Taylor St., or online at crestoniowachamber.com. Completed applications must be returned by 5 p.m. May 6 to chamber@crestoniowachamber.com or mailed to Creston Chamber, PO Box 471, Creston, IA 50801.  Each application will be reviewed and home owners will be contacted May 21 if their home will receive paint and supplies.

For questions call the chamber office at 641-782-7021 or email Gerharz at chamber@crestoniowachamber.com.

“We truly believe that a little paint can make a dramatic difference,” Gerharz said.