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...