California Coast Real Estate Blog

Dr. Jim Dyke "The Boss Doctor" ™ at The Center for Leadership Impact sent me an email about the difference between a manager and a leader.  We often think of managers as leaders, but in reality, that is not always the case.  Managers are people who are ORGANIZED and keep the business running smoo...

Sinks can be the star of the kitchen!  A tasteful sink should be functional as well as beautiful.  Cooks want a sink with 2 or 3 basins, preferably one shallow basin for washing veggies.  One basin is expected to be equipped with a garbage disposal.  An elaborate kitchen will boast 2 sinks:  the ...

Your house is the largest purchase you’ll make.  Protect yourself — have the house inspected by a professional for the following: FOUNDATION. Are there cracks which might indicate a foundation shift or leakage into the basement or duct system?  What about termite or other pest damage? ROOF. How o...

What is the difference between a stove, oven, and range?  A stove is a cooktop that houses the burners for cooking with pots and pans.  An oven bakes and roasts food inside, and often has a broiler underneath.  A range is the kitchen appliance that combines both the oven and the stove into one un...

The main reason to buy a home is that it is all yours!  You can paint it.  You can put up pictures.  You can improve it your way.  You can install new appliances.  You can renovate with new carpets or hardwood floors.  You can add a patio and barbecue in the back yard.  Go ahead and decorate, rem...

This is why many homeowners invest in a house and think of it as an investment.  Although, I would caution you NOT to buy a house solely for future appreciation, because the house may depreciate in the short term, depending on the market. However, studies have shown that during the long term, hom...

The shiny polished look of granite is being edged out by honed granite which sports a matte finish.  Today’s trendy glass tile and recycled crafted glass surfaces are quickly replacing the standard ceramic tile counter tops.  Other recycled materials include concrete, paper, plastic, and other co...

This emergency preparedness checklist is from The American Red Cross.  For information on The American Red Cross "Together We Prepare" initiative go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-797-8022. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST Water.  Have at least one gallon per person per day. Food.  Pack non-pe...

Condominiums and CIDs / PUDs typically have HOAs, CC&Rs, and additional rules, which residents must follow.CC&Rs stand for Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions, which are formal rules that govern the homeowners.  The CC&Rs are often filed in the public records with each property recording when...

Decadent cabinets define a high caliber kitchen.  Kitchen designer Carla Leiran looks for sophisticated knobs and pulls with complementary matching hinges, and detailed features such as finishing touches of crown molding above cabinets.  “It’s the small details that make a big difference in a hig...