california real estate: Plan your 'remodeling project' carefully
- 11/28/11 05:05 AM
A miscalculation in appeal when you remodel could spell disaster for the ‘bottom line' if you ever decide to sell your home. The idea of a traditional home is back and will be around for a long time. Before starting that remodeling project, look at the outcome from the buyer's perspective. Will the modeling project have ‘wide' appeal? Is the remodeling project ‘useful'? Is the project ‘cost effective'? Do not hesitate to obtain assistance in the evaluation of your project. And listen to that input. Try to set your own tastes aside and look at the potential remodeling project from a … (4 comments)
california real estate: Getting ready to list your home? Start with the attic.
- 11/28/11 04:50 AM
One area of the home that is ofter overlooked is the attic. If you will be listing your home for sale it is important that the attic be available for inspection. Both the buyers and the inspectors will want to see it. Get started now getting the attic cleaned out. In many cases the attic is the final resting place for unused items. Get them out of the attic, they may be great items for your first yard sale. Make sure that vents are secure and that the light bulbs are working. Making it easy to access the attic … (3 comments)
california real estate: Is the 'Roof' 'Sheeted'?
- 11/28/11 04:34 AM
When shopping for a home, if there is access available to the attic, take a good look at the roof from the inside. Most home buyers request a roof inspection. That roof inspection will tell the buyer the 'life' left in the roof and it's current condition. What that roof report will not tell you is how much extra you will pay when you do re-roof if the current roof will require sheeting. Many older homes were built with a shake roof. Then the shake roof was covered with asphalt shingles. Shake roofs require, in most cases, skip sheeting. If … (5 comments)
california real estate: Is the hot water heather in your home 'aging'?
- 11/28/11 04:19 AM
If the water heater in your home is near the end of its useful life (do you know how old it is?), replace it now! Before it fails. There are several very good reasons to have your water heater replaced before it 'fails'. 1. You do not want to be without hot water for an evening or worse a long holiday weekend. 2. Taking the time to 'shop' for a new hot water heater may save you money. 3. Some advanced hot water heating systems also require gas line replacement. A larger gas line may be necessary. That installation may require more time to … (1 comments)
california real estate: Home purchases and Earthquake Insurance in Humboldt County, California
- 11/28/11 04:11 AM
If you are considering the purchase of a home in this area of Northern California (Humboldt County), earthquake insurance is a necessity of home ownership. This is an item you want to discuss with your homeowners insurance agent before you start shopping for a home. There is an additional cost and the premium is paid separately in California from your home owners insurance. Generally in full for the year. Earthquake insurance will be an additional expense, in some cases lenders will require it anyway. The expense needs to be factored into the annual cost of home ownership. Plan ahead for the expense! … (1 comments)
california real estate: 'Final Walk Thru' before Listing the Home For Sale
- 11/28/11 04:00 AM
I have learned to take a "final walk through" of a home that is occupied by the seller before putting the listing up on the MLS. It always saves calls from the first few agents that show the property. The list I provided the sellers of "things to do" before listing is reviewed, that allows me to cover an item in the "agent remarks" that has not yet but will be completed. It also allows me to review procedures for the showings to be scheduled. In some cases I will provide a laminated list to the sellers to "run through" and … (1 comments)
california real estate: Study and take the Brokers Exam in California
- 11/28/11 03:40 AM
California is one of the states that still have two levels of real estate licensing. Salesperson and Brokers. (California does not have Principle, Qualifying, Supervising etc. Brokers.) The salesperson licensee is a good avenue into the industry. Working under an experienced broker has a long list of advantages! And it goes without saying that Brokers provide many essential services. However, not being qualified to operate independently could be a big drawback in some situations. What happens to you if the Broker passes on or leaves or just closes the office? What happens to your clients if you cannot obtain a position … (5 comments)
california real estate: Season of Wonder and Light: Arcata Main Street Holiday Open House
- 11/26/11 08:01 PM
Please join "Arcata Main Street" in celebrating the holiday season. Friday, December 2nd, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM on the Arcata, California Plaza! Enjoy the sights, sounds, scents, and cheer throughout the month, as they celebrate the 2011 Season of Wonder & Light in the heart of Arcata. Santa arrives on a fire truck at the Plaza at 6 p.m. accompanied by the Humboldt State University Marching Lumberjacks Band. Live music, holiday fun, special window displays, the great tree in Jacoby’s storehouse, local merchants will provide sweets, treats, holiday cheer, gift previews, and much more. 30+ venues with art, music, and much more … (10 comments)
california real estate: Ink People Center for the Arts Annual Holiday Gift Fair, Eureka! California
- 11/25/11 08:07 PM
WHO: The Ink People Center for the Arts WHAT: Annual Holiday Gift Fair WHEN: Saturday, November 26th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. WHERE: The Eureka Municipal Auditorium, 1120 F Street, Eureka WHY: Because it will be fun, have diverse gifts, a gift wrapping table, local music, and most important SUPPORT THE INK PEOPLEUnique gift ideas at reasonable prices from some of the best artists in the area will be there as well as concessions by the MARZ Project: an Ink People after school recording and design program for teens along with six local talented musicians. The admission is free and proceeds go … (7 comments)
california real estate: Humboldt Botanical Gardens, "Open Gardens", Eureka, California, November 26, 2010
- 11/24/11 08:34 PM
Humboldt Botanical Gardens, "Open Gardens", Eureka, California, November 26, 2010 Walk off that Thanksgiving turkey and the trimmings in the Humboldt Botanical Gardens. The gardens are open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hike 44 acres of trails and paths and enjoy the fall flora and fauna. The gardens are open at no charge for members and children under 12. There is a $5 fee for non members. Membership materials are available at the gardens. The gardens are located just north of the College of the Redwoods off Thompkins Hill Rd. three miles south … (7 comments)
california real estate: Fall Art and Artisans Fair, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California
- 11/23/11 10:44 PM
Fall Art and Artisans Fair, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California! The Humboldt State University Art Department invites the community to our Fall Art and Artisans Fair featuring the Printmaking Club, Jewelry Club and a variety of Art Department artists selling prints, paintings, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture and more. The Fall Art and Artisans Fair will be held on two days in the Reese Bullen Gallery; Wednesday, November 30, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday, December 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join us in supporting our emerging artists while finding great gifts for the holidays. Funds … (9 comments)
california real estate: Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal, Arcata, Humboldt County, California
- 11/22/11 09:38 PM
Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal, Arcata, Humboldt County, California! Free Thanksgiving Meal Thanksgiving Day the 24th of November at the Veteran’s Hall in Arcata. Dinner is served from noon to 3pm. All are welcome. Food for dogs will also be available. Vegan meals are also available. The Interfaith Gospel Choir will sing at 11:30am. Volunteers are needed to set-up the hall and kitchen at 9am. Food items are needed from 10:00am to 11:00am. This year there is need for terry kitchen towels and 13/9” aluminum pans of vegetables. Questions and/or volunteers please call Alicia at 825.0440. This is a … (7 comments)
california real estate: What to expect in Humboldt County, California Weather
- 11/22/11 03:08 AM
The weather in the coastal areas Humboldt County tends to be very mild year around. If you are looking for four season weather, you need to be inland. You will seldom see snow or 70 degree weather in coastal Humboldt County. If you want to see snow in the winter, a one hour drive will usually locate some. In the summer a one hour drive will provide ninety plus temperatures. To live in coastal Humboldt you must have an a strong desire to wear a coat most of the year and enjoy caring an umbrella. The Pacific Ocean helps to … (5 comments)
california real estate: Prepare to buy a home
- 11/22/11 03:01 AM
Buying a home is a full time job. Once you have done the shopping and have an offer accepted on a home, the amount of time required of a buyer may make it feel like it is a full time job. Forget a vacation while you are in escrow, put off that weekend get away. Don't leave town. There are inspection you need to attend, the inspection reports you need to review, items of due diligence that need to be explored, you need to be driving by the property at various times of the day to see what is happening in the … (5 comments)
california real estate: 'Gas Lines' and Tankless Hot Water Heating Systems
- 11/22/11 02:37 AM
If you are considering a 'Tankless Hot Water Heater' and you have an older home, there may be additional expense in having it installed. That expense would be the replacement of the gas line to the system. Many older homes that have conventional gas hot water heaters have gas lines feeding it that are smaller than 1-inch. Most tankless units require a 1-inch line to feed it. The reason? Tankless units use a lot of natural gas in a very short period of time. If the gas line feeding the unit is too small you may have problems with the … (6 comments)
california real estate: House Numbers
- 11/22/11 02:24 AM
Thinking of selling your home this spring? Where are your 'house numbers'? Are they 'large' and visible for a potential buyer to easily find driving down your street. Buyers do become frustrated (and also agents) looking for a street number. Most sellers can not afford to loose an interested buyer. There are always many distractions when trying to find a house. Kids, pets, other cars on the street, the sun, parked cars etc. Before listing your home make sure that large house numbers are clearly visible from both directions! Another good idea is to add the street name after the address. … (4 comments)
california real estate: Tree Planting Under Power Lines
- 11/22/11 02:11 AM
If you are considering planting trees on your property, use caution in what type of tree you plant under an aerial power line. The power lines are on deeded right of way and the power company has the right to trim trees on it so they will not create a hazard. Talk with the people at the nursery you are going to purchase the tree from and find out how tall the tree is expected to grow. Trees that grow higher than 18 to 20 feet may receive a trim from the power company and that trim may not be attractive. … (3 comments)
california real estate: Keep the Termites away!
- 11/22/11 01:57 AM
Many homes in this area of Northern California have mature shrubbery growing up against the home. As this area of California is well know for its Subterranean Termites, the shrubbery against the home provides a direct path from the ground to their favorite meal, wood. The shrubbery against the house also prevents the Pest Inspector from making an accurate analysis of the home. The situation may result in an extra trip to the home by the pest inspector after the shrubbery has been cut back or removed. The shrubbery may also be blocking the vents in a raised foundation. A solution … (4 comments)
california real estate: Required Sewer Lateral Testing
- 11/22/11 01:46 AM
One of the communities in Humboldt County, the City of Ferndale, has an ordnance that requires the testing of the sewer lateral from the home to the connection in the street at the time of property transfer. The problem has been that if the selling agent does not request that the sellers pay for the test at the time of the sale, the buyers become responsible not only for the test but for any necessary repairs that may be required. I believe this is the only community in Humboldt County that requires this test. The requirement is a good example … (3 comments)
california real estate: A 'Mound' in the back yard of your rural home
- 11/22/11 01:31 AM
In this coastal area of California, many homes on the market have a septic system. Homes located "in the Redwoods" may have a "Wisconsin Mound" Septic System due to the high ground water levels in area that Redwoods grow. The Wisconsin Mound systems are relatively new in most cases. They were developed to overcome the problems associated with high ground water. If the home you are viewing has a noticeable built up area in the back yard, that is the mound for this type of system. The systems normally work very well. They do present a challenge to landscape and have … (3 comments)
A miscalculation in appeal when you remodel could spell disaster for the ‘bottom line' if you ever decide to sell your home.
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