Hi,
We're renovating a condo built in the 70's and have chosen to remove the popcorn ceiling. We've just about finished the removal and will be sanding, repairing, and priming. We're struggling with whether to texture the ceiling before painting or not. Looks like someone has come into the condo fairly recently and applied a knock-down texture to most of the walls and to the one part of the ceiling that didn't have the popcorn. We're under a bit of a time and energy constraint and don't really want to hassle with the knock down. Any thoughts?

When I removed the popcorn from the ceilings of my home (built in 79), I just applied a light texture with a texture gun and hopper. I did not bother to knock it down, and the results were good. The texture helps to hide imperfections that might otherwise take many more applications of mud and sanding. Before you begin the patching process, rescrew the ceiling to the ceiling joists with the appropriate drywall screws. Many houses built about that time used nails to attach the drywall to the ceiling joists. Those nails have probably pulled loose and caused sags in the ceiling. Good luck.

Thanks for the input and the tips on the drywall (screwing it in to reinforce). I haven't noticed any sagging but I'll check it again.