As with most online discussions of brands, Jaimie, I don't think you're going to get a satisfactory answer here. Both are solid brands, and both have good, better, best lines of paint, so any comparisons need to be between comparable grades of paint. I've heard Sherwin Williams has good sales, so that might be a factor for you to consider. Or try Benjamin Moore since you haven't yet. My advice in this situation is to go with the store that has the better service or location. You don't want to run out of paint and have to drive 2 hours to get more (I've done a lot of reluctant color matches for people who didn't plan ahead and ran out of the brand they started with).

So I met the realtor last night and I had totally gotten the wrong impression of her over the phone!! She did not bring any contracts or buyer agreement to sign. She didn't ask me to sign anything at all so I have no idea why she was asking for all that information over the phone (maybe she had me confused with someone else because she seemed confused about a few things last night) She was very nice, brought the disclosure forms for each house and a list of some other homes she has listed and some info she pulled off the MLS about other realtor's listings she thought I might be interested in. She gave me a folder of papers that included information about banks, home inspectors, lawyers, surveyors, appraisers, utility companies etc. Not a referral list but just a comprehensive list of those who did this work for the area. The 2nd house that she showed me I liked but found out it has been listed since May of last year!! She said mostly first time buyers are looking at it but because of bad credit financing has fallen through twice. She said the buyers are going into foreclosure (they moved out in June of 2007) and they would probably take a lot less than asking price just to avoid foreclosure. I was pleasantly suprised by the realtor.

You have to test white paints in your house because the light is different in each space, even from one room to another. Buy small samples in a few colors and paint up pieces of poster board (I use 14 x 22 from walmart) and compare the colors in your rooms. Also compare to your furniture to see if they look right. Benjamin Moore Wicker White and Feather Down are reputed to be non-yellow off whites. You probably don’t want a stark white.

What problems have you experienced with the paints? For me, I use Behr, BM, SW and others with good results. But, I always spend more time on prep than paint. First wash the walls with dawn, it has good grease cutting capabilities. I use a roller style sponge head to wring out as much solution as possible. Rinse using fresh water. Make sure the mop head is new as well. Touch up any holes with a good spackle, I like drydex. sand smooth and spot prime. Prime the walls. Yeah, I know they all say paint and primer in one. I don't care. Most walls haven't been painted in a wall, why waste paint on your first coat adding moisture to the wall? Buy the best roller cover you can for the finish you want. Before using it, wrap it with painters tape and then remove the tape. Notice all the loose fibers? They won't be on your walls now. Now, you are almost ready to paint. Run the roller cover under water to get it wet. Wring it out well. I roll it out on one of the walls. The reason for doing priming the roller, is that it will accept paint faster. Make sure your paint is thoroughly stirred. Strain it as you pour it into your pan/tray. And your cut pot. Never dip a brush into the paint can, you will introduce contaminants. Now, you are ready to paint. Hope this helps, let me know your thoughts.