california real estate: Preparing for an Earythquake? Don't forget the Garage. - 12/26/11 07:08 PM
Don't forget the garage when preparing your home for an earthquake.  Your vehicle may become a very important asset after an earthquake.
Make sure that nothing heavy will fall and block the garage door. 
Attach all shelving units to the wall of the garage so they will not 'fall over' on your vehicle.
Make sure all heavy items are on the bottom shelves or on the floor. 
Check the garage door to make sure you can open it the 'old fashion' way, without power assistance.  If the door is too heavy to open without power it is time to … (0 comments)

california real estate: Earthquakes and 'Valuables'. - 12/26/11 06:42 PM
It is easy to loose valuables in an earthquake.  I am not talking about paintings, jewelry or cash.  They usually survive or are insured.
When you live in 'earthquake country' you need to be very careful about where you place or leave items that have great sentimental value. Our last earthquake was only a 6.4. not very big in comparison to some of the recent major quakes.
I was at the grocery store when the quake hit.  I rushed home to find we survived with no structural damage.  Several major remodeling projects had helped stabilize the home originally built in the … (3 comments)

california real estate: After an Earthquake - 12/26/11 06:15 PM
Access to your home is a critical issue after an earthquake.  Your home needs to be checked as soon as possible after an earthquake hits.
The reason; secondary damage.  Once an earthquake 'hits' you need to carefully walk through your home to inspect for damage that may not be apparent from the outside of your home.  Small gas leaks, small water leaks etc.
In the event you are gone from the area; a neighbor, friend or relative should accomplish this task as soon as possible.  In order to accomplish the inspection, they will need to have immediate access; keys.  There are … (3 comments)

california real estate: Listing your home and unsafe deck's - 12/26/11 06:00 PM
If you are considering listing your home and it has an old wood deck that is rotten, consider removing it before listing the property.  You will avoid telling buyers that the deck or patio is unsafe. 
If you cannot afford to replace the deck or patio after you remove it, just add steps and a handrail, if the code requires one, from the door to the ground.  Then let buyers visualize what they want for a new deck or patio after they purchase the property.
Cutting up the old deck or patio into small pieces is easily accomplished with a reciprocating saw. If need be, … (3 comments)

california real estate: Conservation Lecture Series, Sequoia Park Zoo, Eureka, Humboldt County, California - 12/25/11 03:34 AM
Wednesday, January 11 at 7 p.m., the latest talk in Sequoia Park Zoo’s Conservation Lecture Series.
Humboldt State University Assistant Professor Dr. Rick Brown speaks on the interconnectedness of human, wildlife, and environmental health.
This topic is particularly relevant as concern continues to grow over the world-wide spread of human diseases contracted from non-human animals.
All talks are free to attend, and a reception will be held half an hour before each talk in the Sequoia Park Zoo classroom.
Visit www.sequoiaparkzoo.net for more information and dates for future talks.
This will be an excellent presentation by DR. Brown.
The … (10 comments)

california real estate: "Safe and Sober" New Year’s Eve Party for Teens of Humboldt County, California - 12/24/11 02:39 AM
The Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods will be hosting a Safe & Sober New Year’s Eve Party for teens on December 31, 2011 from 8pm to 1am. 
This event is open to all teens in grades 7-12, the cost is $5 for member $10 for non-members.
The Club will be offering music, games, all-you-can-eat pizza and beverages.  Rides home are also available, at no additional charge (paperwork required call for more information).
The Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods is a youth development program for youth ages 6 to 18.  All of their sites offer a safe … (11 comments)

california real estate: Spring Tree Trimming in Humboldt County, California - 12/23/11 06:33 AM
If trimming the trees on your property here in Humboldt County, California is on your "to do" list this spring, use caution if your plans include the use of a chain saw!
In this area of very large trees, used chain saws are readily available at garage sales and flea markets.  Many people purchase these used saws who have no background and experience in their use.  In many cases the saws are old and do not have modern safety features.  
In addition many older saws were designed to feel large trees and not to trim them.  The long bars and chains present an additional … (8 comments)

california real estate: Selling your home in the future? Write a history of it for the buyers. - 12/22/11 05:50 AM
Buyers are always interested in the history of the home they are purchasing.  More so with older homes in this area of Humboldt County, California.  Many of the older homes in this area were built by 'Lumber Barons', even many of the smaller ones.
If you will be selling your home in the near future, take some time this Holiday Season and put together a history of the home you are selling for the new owners.  
Hand write it at your leisure or compose it on your computer, it will be appreciated. 
Then wait until after escrow closes and leave it … (10 comments)

california real estate: Best Wishes for a wonderful and safe Christmas! - 12/21/11 05:10 AM
To all the members of Active Rain and to all the residents of Humboldt County, California;
My Best Wishes for a Wonderful and Safe Christmas!
1. Enjoy time with your family!
2. Attend the service of your choice.  
3. Be careful driving (you know the drill).
4. Don't forget the pets (keep them warm and fed)!
5. Keep your Christmas Tree watered.
6. Don't leave candles unattended!
7. Use common sense around electricity (especially lighted Christmas Decorations)!
Above all "Enjoy"!
… (13 comments)

california real estate: 'Drumming up a Story' at The Humboldt County, California Library - 12/20/11 03:12 AM
'Drumming up a Story' at The Humboldt County, California Library, 1313 Third St.  Eureka, CA 95501 on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 6;15 PM.
A creative story hour for children aged 3 to 12 with storyteller Anita Punla will drum up your energy with music, deftly told stories and a video.
Bring your attention, imagination, and small rhythm instruments. (There are drums to share if you don’t have one with you.).  
Info: 269-1910, www.humlib.org.
This is an outstanding event for children! 
Parents can visit the 'Humboldt Room' of the Humboldt County Library while their children are attending the … (10 comments)

california real estate: Planning a 'Galley Kitchen' Remodel? - 12/19/11 06:48 PM
If you are considering doing a kitchen remodel yourself and you have a 'galley' kitchen, you may want to consider doing half the kitchen at a time.
One of the biggest problems with a kitchen remodel is the loss of the kitchen while the remodel is going on.  In a smaller home with a galley kitchen, the loss is major.
Leave the side that contains the sink until last.  Refrigerators may be moved around in most cases and plugged into another outlet.  Electric stove are easy to unplug and move, if necessary build a platform on wheels and place your electric … (6 comments)

california real estate: A property with Redwoods - 12/19/11 06:27 PM
Living in the Redwoods presents some unique challenges for the real estate professional.
Many homes here are surrounded by second growth Redwood Trees.  Although second growth Redwoods are not near as large as old growth Redwoods in most cases, they do reach 150 plus feet and in many cases are five feet in diameter.
These Redwoods present a unique problem for area real estate professionals.  When a client makes an offer on a home with Redwoods on the property the agent representing them needs to take a close look at the trees.  Are they healthy?  Are there any loose limbs in … (4 comments)

california real estate: Homes without basements in Humboldt County - 12/19/11 03:58 PM
If you will be shopping for a home in this area of Coastal Northern California, one important consideration will be "We Have No Basements".  At least we have very few basements and those homes that have them usually have problems that are associated with the basement.
The water table in this area is very high.  The high water table is the reason the Redwood Trees are attracted to this area.
In most cases basements would be almost impossible to keep dry even with modern building technology. 
In addition, the high moisture content in the basement would increase the possibility of mold problems … (4 comments)

california real estate: What about the 'Storage Shed'? - 12/19/11 02:57 PM
If you will be placing your home on the market and you have a storage shed on your property; the storage shed also needs to be ready to be shown.
1. Clean it out and move the contents to a storage area.  The only exception is for lawn care equipment.  If you store gasoline powered lawn equipment in your storage shed make sure it is well ventilated!
2. Make sure the doors work properly and are easy to open.  Locks should be easy to unlock.
3. If the shed needs a paint job, paint it now.  Paint both the inside and the outside if necessary.  … (4 comments)

california real estate: Humboldt County, California. Umbrellas Required. - 12/19/11 02:49 PM
Two of the most indispensable tools in the real estate business in this area are windproof golf umbrellas!  The large type!  I leave one in the office and always have one available in my vehicle.     
The one in the office is used to walk clients to their vehicle during an unexpected down pour.  Even when they are equipped with an umbrella, I find it is a real connivance to them to be able to accompany them to their vehicle and hold my umbrella over them while they enter their vehicle.  And they do not have to try to close up their umbrella.  … (3 comments)

california real estate: Stove Hood Replacement? - 12/19/11 02:24 PM
If you will be replacing the stove hood over your gas range or cook top during a kitchen remodel give some consideration to purchasing an upgraded model with advanced features.
Inexpensive stove hoods have historically been noisy, paying for a more expensive model will usually provide a quieter fan.  With gas stoves and cook tops, the hood should be on when ever the stove or cook top is in use.  Paying for a quieter fan will lower the noise level in the kitchen and promote the use of the hood.
Some models now have a delayed shut off which will help … (0 comments)

california real estate: Saw Shops and Lawnmowers in Humboldt County, California - 12/19/11 01:46 PM
This area of Northern California has many interesting local terms.  One of the more interestering local terms is "The Saw Shop".
When clients have relocated to this area and they call to obtain a recommendation on where to buy a lawn mower, my answer is "The Saw Shop".  The answer always requires an explanation.
Most areas of the country have "Lawn and Garden Centers" that sell chain saws as a sideline.  This area of big trees and a large logging industry has 'saw shops' that sell very large, specialized chain saws for the timber industry and they also sells lawnmowers as a … (3 comments)

california real estate: Replacing inside stairways in older homes - 12/19/11 01:30 PM
Are you considering a 'remodel' of your current home?  Is it an older home?  Is it a two-story home?
The place to first focus your attention is the stairway to the second floor.  'Raise' and 'Run' are two very important measurements for stairways.  Steep stairs are not steep; they have a short run (a short depth to the stair) in order to have the stairs 'fit' in a small area and in many cases these stairways have too high of a 'raise' (the height of the stairs).
Before you spend money remolding other areas of the house, make sure the stairway to … (3 comments)

california real estate: Older Home? Replacing an outside stairway? - 12/19/11 01:16 PM
If the replacement of an outside stairway is in your future, think about adding a landing.  A landing is just an area to stand in as you open the door and enter the home.
I have viewed several older homes recently that had steps to a secondary entrance built without a landing.  The lack of a landing makes it very difficult for people under six feet tall to unlock the door with a key.
Before you replace the steps, give some thought to spending a little more money and making the entrance a little more appealing and accessible. 
When … (4 comments)

california real estate: Selling in the spring? Prepare your lawn now. - 12/19/11 12:59 PM
Living in this coastal area of California has many advantages, one is no snow or cold weather in the winter.  That fact makes it much easier to prepare your property for sale in the spring!
If you will be placing your home on the market for sale in the spring, take a good look at your lawn now.  Does the lawn add to the curb appeal of your home?
If you have ignored the lawn in the past, it may take some time to restore it.  Get started now; the curb appeal of your home and  lawn are an important aspect … (6 comments)

 
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Dan Edward Phillips, Realtor and Broker/Owner

Eureka, CA

More about me…

Dan Edward Phillips

Address: Eureka, CA, 95503

Office Phone: (707) 407-5150

Cell Phone: (707) 407-5150

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