November 18th, 2015 at 10:00 am
You say you won’t be home for the holidays this year? Finally taking that long-awaited cruise or visiting family in another state?
It can be great to get out of the house during the holiday season. Just be sure no unwanted visitors get into it while you’re away.
Having a security system to protect your home is a wise investment. And there are plenty of commonsense ways to keep your residence from being a tempting target of thieves on the prowl for unoccupied properties. In fact, according to the most recently available FBI statistics, nearly 400,000 residential burglaries occur annually in the U.S. between November and December. The National Crime Prevention Council says homeowners should be extra-vigilant during the winter months, especially if they have travel plans or if their home is filled with piles of wrapped gifts.
We’ve compiled a list of tips, suggestions, and advice from security pros on how to keep the grinches from stealing your holiday cheer. Put these security measures in place now and you should be able to rest easier wherever your vacation plans take you.
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November 9th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Are you entertaining this holiday season? If so, preparing now can help you avoid the agony and stress of this busy time of year. Follow these tips to get your home in tiptop shape and to wow your family and friends.
Start by making a list of things you need to accomplish. Your master list can include anything from sending invitations to fixing the railing on your front porch. Getting organized and understanding the tasks ahead will help you to stay focused and on track.
October 26th, 2015 at 10:00 am
It seems like just yesterday that we were celebrating the long days of summer. But as daylight saving time approaches (Nov. 1) and daytime hours begin to shorten for the fall and winter seasons, you might be missing that summertime sunshine. Although you can’t stop the sun from setting earlier, you can make each room in your home feel a bit brighter. After all, not every room is flooded with natural light. Bringing warmth and brightness doesn’t have to be as expensive as creating a new new space for a window. Instead, use optical illusions to create instant brightness in your home. The following tips can be done on almost any budget in a short amount of time.
The art you choose for each room impacts how that room is perceived. For example, if you have a room filled with pictures of snowfalls, the room will feel colder. Create a lighter room by incorporating warm artwork filled with bright colors. Frame photos from a day at the beach, or purchase and paint artwork that reminds you of spring and summer. Avoid black-and-white artwork as creates a cooler, darker setting.
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October 2nd, 2015 at 10:00 am
Are you aware of how the mortgage process will change on October 3?
The TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule (TRID) will ultimately change the forms used, the timelines of when certain documents need to be executed, and the processes involved with closing. This new rule is roughly 2,000 pages and won’t just affect real estate agents; it will also affect home buyers and sellers. Compliance will be enforced by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
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September 24th, 2015 at 10:00 am
Today marks the first day of fall, and if you’re anything like us, you’re starting to think and plan your fall garden. Autumn is an ideal time to plant in Southern California as it often means temperatures are beginning to cool. This makes planting not only easier for the plants, but also more comfortable for you! Although things may be cooling down slightly, the soil temperature is still warm enough for you to get digging and for your plants to flourish. Depending on the type of garden you have (or you’re creating), there are a few different projects you can get started on this fall.
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