So Cal Homes and Lifestyle by Patty

Owning a home can be one of the most important parts of a satisfying lifestyle.  The joy of coming home to someplace you can call your very own offers security and comfort. Yet owning a home comes with responsibilities as well; maintaining the home in proper condition is critical to avoid larger problems later. While some people are handier than others, here are 5 maintenance skills anyone can master. 1.How to Turn off Your Gas and Water –If you smell gas or have a water leak, taking quick action to shut off the source to the home while you wait for a professional can save thousands of dollars, and even lives.  2.Understanding How Electricity Is Fed to Your Home –Learn how to reset GFI outlets and popped breakers at the panel to avoid expensive house calls.  3.How to Find a Wall Stud –Avoid drywall repair when hanging pictures or shelves.  4.How to Change Your Air Filters – Keep your air fresh and your HVAC systems running efficiently. 5.How to Add...

Traditional lore says that the best time to list your home for sale is spring and if it hasn’t sold by the end of summer, you’re out of luck. Along the same lines, homeowners across the country are often advised not to list in the fall and wait until after the holidays to list. The truth is that a great home will sell at any time of year and in fact there are some very good reasons to list in the fall, while everyone else is busy doing other activities. 4 Reasons to Sell this Fall 1.Less Competition –As mentioned above, most sellers list in spring so as a seller, fall provides you less competition which increases the opportunity for buyers to view your home. 2.Serious Buyers – Home buyers in fall often have a timeline to move before the holidays. They tend to take the home search seriously and move to write offers faster and avoid wasting time. 3.Curb Appeal – Fall is a beautiful time of year and ho...

Most people have thought about installing hardwood floors at one time or another. The natural beauty of wood brings a soft, elegance to any home.  Today, hardwoods are not just for floors. Modern homes feature hardwoods for counters, back splashes and even entire walls. Traditionally and expensive material to work with, there are inexpensive hardwoods that will bring that ambiance you crave with a price tag that won’t shock your wallet.  Top 3 Inexpensive Hardwoods 1. Bamboo – Our first inexpensive hardwood isn’t really wood at all. Bamboo is actually a grass yet it’s harder than most hardwoods. Bamboo comes in only two shades – light and dark (boiled) – yet because of the variety in the plant itself, there are many color options available.  2. Hickory – Hickory is most often used in rustic or country style homes. A very strong wood, it’s perfect for homes with high traffic and provides great durability and value for the price. With proper stain, hickory...

For market value and the comfort of a home’s occupants, home security is just as important as energy-efficiency. Innovation in smart home technology focuses on both of these areas. Here are some tips about things a homeowner can do to make a home more secure and a few pitfalls to look out for, which may not be obvious. Smart View Doorbell No matter how reinforced the front door of a home is, it is not secure if it is opened by someone inside without first knowing who is there. Additionally, smart doorbells allow the homeowner to view the front of their home using a smartphone application, even when they are not home. These systems use motion sensors and video cameras. When someone approaches the front door, the motion sensors trigger and the camera captures the images of what is happening. The smartphone application notifies the homeowner that there is physical activity at the front door. It may be a neighbor’s cat passing by or a burglar trying to steal a package or a...

Those who want to renovate a home usually do this to make it more spacious, improve its condition, and to add amenities. However, it is also important to consider if the renovation has the potential to add value to a home. Unless the plan is to live in the same place for life, there is a strong likelihood that, at some point, the home will go on the market for sale. It is nice if it sells for a high price and there is some profit for the seller in the transaction. It is not the amount spent on renovations that is the key consideration. In fact, spending a lot of money making certain renovations may not improve the sales price, when the home sells. This guide helps decide between renovations that add value and ones that do not add value. Renovations That Add Value Renovations that add value are those things that almost everybody wants, which include: Upgraded Kitchen:  Having a professional-style cooking area and all the appliances with matching stainless steel-finish...

No doubt you’ve been told that curb appeal will help sell your home. But if money is short you’ll need to do some curb appeal on a budget tricks. Following are some inexpensive curb appeal tips that really work. Fresh Coat Of Paint A fresh coat of paint adds curb appeal without busting the budget. With a gallon of paint you can freshen up the window ledges, shutters, front door and the garage door. Add a fresh coat of paint to decks and railings, and street lampposts, as well.  Solar Lighting You can find inexpensive solar lighting stakes at discount stores around the country. Add these to the edges of the driveway, along the front pathway and around front hedges for nighttime curb appeal. Metallic Paint If you can’t afford brand new hardware for your front door, consider investing in a small tub of metallic paint. Refinish the doorknob, door knocker and the metal porch light fixtures.  Annuals Landscaping can be pricey, but with a couple dozen inexpensi...

Selling a home can be a stressful time, there is so much to think about; keeping thehome clean, heading out on a moment’s notice to accommodate last minute showings,not to mention planning a move. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Then you get that great offer and enter escrow. You’re relieved until you realize there’sa home inspection coming. Even a home meticulously maintained can have hiddenissues. The good news is that you can prepare for the home inspection and make sureyou pass with flying colors. Items to Check before a Home Inspection Doors, windows, cabinets and drawers – check that they slide smoothly Run water in sinks, tubs and showers – snake any that drain slowly Evidence of water leaks – Garage ceiling, under sinks, around water heaters, etc. GFIs – check your local code and put GFI plugs where required Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors must be in working order Gutters and Roof – replace any missing roof tiles and clean gutters HVAC – Consider ...

Hunting for your new home can be a confusing process. There are countless factors you need to take into account to ensure your new location fits your family’s lifestyle and preferences. In their excitement, first-time home buyers can easily overlook some essential points about their potential property. When you’re searching for your new residence, ask these questions to get exactly what you’re looking for. Am I Financially Ready For A New Home Purchase? It takes more than money to find the right home. Your credit rating is an important factor in your ability to secure enough funding to finance your dream. Check out your credit score before you buy to make sure you won’t have to settle for less. Some of the things you have the greatest control over include: Payment history Credit utilization ratio Debt-to-income ratio Even with a large down payment, having a questionable credit history can endanger your chances of qualifying for mortgage loans. Spend some time shin...

Getting an offer on your home can certainly make it feel like the hard part is over, but even after the deal is sealed there's still a lot to do when it comes to moving out. Whether you're getting prepared for a future move or your buyer has just signed on the dotted line, here are the first steps to take once it's certain your property is off the market. Start The Packing For many people, packing is something they would rather put off until the last minute, but boxing up your stuff is actually a great opportunity for a little spring-cleaning at any time of the year. Instead of procrastinating, get started early and ensure that you're only packing up the items you will make use of. Whether you decide to pass the extras off to friends or donate them, this is a great way to make your next home clutter free. Book The Moving Trucks The day you have to be out of your home by will be set in stone, so it's important to get ahead of this process an...

Many people look at a smaller living space and think that there are a lot of limitations imposed. However, a more miniature home can offer up the opportunity to be inventive with design and get creative about your abode. Whether you live in small apartment now or are thinking of downsizing in the future, here are some ideal ways to make the most of your pint-sized pad. Invest In Multi-Functional Pieces It may be nice to have a stylish bar cart or a hefty china cabinet for your space, but there are certain kinds of home items that only serve one function and this is not necessarily useful with limited capacity. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, try purchasing items like a folding table tray that can serve as a coffee table or a bookcase that can hold dishes, books and other household items. This will enable you to maximize the space you have and create a uniquely modern design aesthetic. Maintain An Organized Space Every home has a little bit of clut...

Once the New Year arrives, thought turns to ways to improve our health, our finances and our schedules. Getting organized in one of the most common New Year’s Resolutions, along with losing weight and finding love; if it’s one of yours as well, here are 5 great ways to get organized. 1.Create a Cleaning Schedule – Everyone likes a clean home but very few people like a huge cleaning project. Build a schedule which allows you to clean as you go – daily tasks which are quick and easy to accomplish as part of the routine. 2. Pull out the Crock Pot – Planning meals are easy with a crock pot or pressure cooker.  Start your evening meal before you leave for work. 3. Enlist Help – Everyone in the household can help out with daily tasks. Hold a meeting and assign each person with tasks and chores that best suit their interests. 4. Set Goals – Create manageable and quantifiable goals and measure the achievement weekly. 5. Prioritize – The most important way to organi...