Christine Kankowski's (ckankowski) Blog

Slow and Steady

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 15:12:22 -0800

Yep, SLow and steady price increases! Take a look at the slow shift of the rising prices. This picture is for 3 bedroom single family homes in the Temecula MArket. 2 years ago, you could easily find one in the $300 Range, Now, the average is over $400 and has been for several Months. Time to buy a house is now. Interest rates are still low. Supply is lower than normal, but springtime usually brings more listings! Looking in the Temecula area? Gie us a call at House Match INc 858-442-5149 Christine kankowski Thanks!

Temecula - steady appreciation

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 07:16:39 -0800

Temecula is a city in Southern California. It's known for the surrounding Temecula Valley Wine Country, with its hillside vineyards and many golf courses. Amazing area to live with excellent schools, newer parks and homes, easy access to freeways and commutable to San Diego with half the housing costs. Take a look at the steady appreciation, sith no sign of stopping!Rents have gone up steadily as well.Perfect area for investors, families, anyone!If you are looking to purcahse a home, please give me acall at 858-442-5149 House Match Inc

It's not your imagination- Lease prices going up

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 07:06:16 -0800

Temecula Lease prices are on the steady rise.Rising home values, increase in population, fewer rentals - are all reasons for the steady increase in home rental values. The above chart shows about a $500 average price increase over 3 years. Excellent news for investors in the area, not so good news for families hoping to pay less of their income towards housing. If you are interested in buying an investment home in the Temecula or Murrieta area, Please call House Match Inc 858-442-5149. I can show you some great homes ready for purchase. **We also offer full service Property Management *** www.HouseMatchCA.com

Number of homes listed at a low point

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 07:36:28 -0800

If you look at the history of homes listed for sale at any given point, we are at a low point for the past 3 years. The number always drops somewhat during the holiday season =, as people focus on their families, time off school and holidays. The weather sometimes puts a damper on it as well, although not so much here in The Southwest Riverside area. The above chart is for Murrieta California. If you are looking to sell a home in this area, it is an excellent time to do so. Price it right and it will be sold in no time!Give me a call and I'll help you getit sold for a great price today!We also do property management Chrisitne KankowskiHouse Match Inc 858-442-5149

New Listing in Temecula, CA WINE COUNTRY

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 08:40:51 -0800

I ahave a beautiful home for you in the beautiful city of TEMECULA, CA> Wineries, Old Town, Hiking, wonderful area within a short drive of San Diego or Orange County 2 bedroom with additional Sunroom, large yard with views of the Mountains. Available for $365,000 TODAY! Christine KankowskiHouse Match CA Give me a call today! 858-442-5149

Total homes available in Temecula - what will it do to prices

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 08:27:29 -0800

Take a look at the attached chart. It shows the total homes avialable in teh Temecula 92592 area has dropped drastically over prior years and months. I just posted a regular home and had 11 showings. It is priced right, but even so, this is a huge showing presence for January. Not a lot of inventory will help sellers! Looking to buy or sell a home? Give me a call

Temecula Number of homes listed by month

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 16:28:43 -0800

Looks like we are in for a tight spring with the number of listings well under the average for this time of year. Happy to have a few listings getting plenty of attention bery quickly.These are the states for Temecula, CA - Single family homes -

Great Pool home for sale in Temecula $435000

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 16:24:00 -0800

Central Temecula 2 story home with large lot and pool available for sale. Located on over 1/4 acre with RV/Boat parking, heated pool and Spa and plenty of yard space to play and store your toys. 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths (all bedrooms up) with a 2 car garage. 2 fireplaces, living room and oversized family room with desk/library space! Newer dual-paned windows with 2 sliders to the outside, Newer cabinets and backsplash in the kitchen, and solid surface flooring throughout the home. This home is central to all shopping. The AC system is just 2 years old. Low taxes and HOA! Come and see it today Christine KankowskiHouse Match INC858-442-5149 Temecula Homes for sale

Could I market this as TurnKey?

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 07:18:19 -0800

What I mean is Turn the key and get a unwelcome surprise..First of all, the first door key doesnt really work, You need to go in through the side garage door. Then you will see remnants of a leak from the upstairs bathroom, since the drywall in the family room ceiling has been removed, as well as the back portion of the kitchen cabinets. Each and every door has been beautiful drawn on or otherqize damaged by some talented children. Bathrooms may be missing doors, shower doors, cabinet fronts and or flooring. Back slider door does not open. Pool has been emptied and seller states it does not work. Minor roof leak has not been fixedAS I said Turnkey

Great Investor Home for sale

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 09:54:39 -0700

Investor Special

Overview Maps Photos Features Market Stats

$675,000

Single Family Home

Main Features

3 Bedrooms2 Full Bathrooms1 UnitInterior: 2,025 sqftLot: 10,000 sqftYear Built: 1974

Location

13632 PropsectSanta Ana, CA 92705USA

Christine Kankowski Kankowski House Match Inc(858) 4425149[email protected]http://www.HouseMatchCA.com Listed by: House Match Inc

Nearby properties for sale

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OOOh the wonderful Bedbugs!!

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 12:48:28 -0700

Hey Everyone, New law coming up today for California Landlords!! Bedbugs! As of July 1, we need to give a notice to all new tenants which must include the following:What Bed Bugs look lieLife Cyle and REproduction of the crittersBed Bug bitesCommon Signs and symptoms of bed bug infestationThe procedure the tenant must follow to report a suspected infectation to the landlordand if an infestation has actually happened, all tenants in and around that unit must be notified with written notice within 2 days. These are pesky bugs that can come in from hotel stays, traveling, etc. THey really needs professional treatment to eradicate. So if you are in California, review your leases (all tenants needs this disclosure as of 1/1/18, but any new tenants from 7/1/2017 should have it now. Hope this helps. anyone Itchy after reading this? Need sales or Property Management in North San Diego or Temecula?Give House Match a call www.HouseMAtchCA.comPaul or Christine Kankowski

Top Reasons Why Renters Insurance is a great Idea

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 16:54:38 -0700

As a renter, you do need to think about financially protecting your assets. Here are a few reasons it is essential for you.1. After a flood, disaster, vandalism, fire, windstorm, etc that ruins the property that you are renting, the owners insurance will repair the damage to the property, but not to your assets like your furniture, wardrobe, or electronics.2. Renters insurance typically includes additional living expenses if your place is not longer habitable during the repairs. It may cover your for hotel, or even another apartment, if a longer stay is required.3. If a visitor is injured, your policy could pay the medical benefits of the injured party. If someone slips and falls, trips or has any other accident in your home, they may pursue you for pay for their medical bills.4. If your child causes property damage to others, it also may cover the cost. Landlords are rarely, if ever, liable for damage that you cause yourself, such as breaking a window which results in damaged personal property, etc.5. Each policy if different, however, many do provide covered for pets biting others. There may be breed restrictions on this so read your policy thoroughly.6. If you are sued due to someone getting injured while at your rental house or apartment, the lability portion of the coverage on a renters policy could pay your legal costs and court requirements.7. Lastly, letting a future landlord know that you have renter's insurance, let's the landlord know that you are responsible tenant. Even if you do not own the home, you do have assets and you may have liability if someone gets hurt at the property, whether its by your dog, your child, or just falling etc. It is important to remember that the policy you buy, similar to car insurance, will change the amount of coverage you have. Be certain to shop around for the best rates and coverage plans that fit your needs. It is a requirement for all renters the rent homes manager by House Match Inc to have renters insurance with a minimum for $300,000liability. If you have any questions relating to renter's insurance, or would like a referral to an excellent local company that can provide it for you, please call us at House Match at 858-442-5149 **picture not related to story, but is so pretty, it makes me smile. Taken my Melissa Thompson

Marathon Runners

Sun, 04 Jun 2017 19:58:03 -0700

Hi Guys and Gals,I just had to share that my 12 year old son ran the Rock and Roll Half Marathon today and came in 1st place in his age group. 7 minute pace.(1:34 total time) He came in 328 out of 15000 runners total and then decided we needed to go to the beach and play around the rest of the day. I am so proud of him and anyone else that can run these crazy races.I've tried so many times, but just cant manage even a small distance. What did you run?

Huge San Diego home for rent $7300

Sat, 27 May 2017 08:05:48 -0700

Come and See this one-of-a-kind home for Rent or Lease Option at the top of Del Cerro. Featuring a specious 7500 Sq. Ft on a quiet cul-del sac with only 5 homes. The 6 bedroom, 6 bath home borders 10 acres of open space. The master wing is enormous with bedroom, office, 2 baths, whirlpool, fireplace with sitting area, as well as 2 balconies. It also features a hidden security room and walk-in closet, and hardwood floors. Several of the bedrooms are double sized. Upstairs ...has been updated with beautiful hardwood flooring. Newer Dual Paned vinyl windows and sliders installed throughout the home leave the home bright and airy. The 2/3 acre property has a turf field, deck, small putting green, and an orchard with fruit-producing trees. The spacious pool and spa has waterfall and phone operated controls. LED lighting, 2 story detached pool house, BBQ area. Large pool room inside the home with large bar area opens to the pool area. Do not miss the 400+ sf lighted, roof deck with 360 degree views, the oversized 4 car garage (with 3 separate doors). Tenant can also choose to rent the In-law suite downstairs features 2 bedrooms, kitchenette, family area, its own laundry and own private entrance and patio area. This area is 1200 square feet and can be added to this property for additional charge. OPEN TO LEASE OPTION or sale at $1.65 Million Give me a call at 858-442-5149 House Match Inc Christine Kankowski

If you have Rental Property in CALIFORNIA, You will want to read this

Mon, 22 May 2017 16:09:42 -0700

If you have rental property, you will want to read this! Smoke Detector California laws for RENTAL UNITS There are some new regulations regarding smoke detectors in California if you have rental property. Effective January 1, 2016 rented or leased homes must meet the current building standards, which require smoke alarms in all bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. The State Fire Marshall requires battery powered smoke alarms to contain a 10 YEAR SEALED BATTERY. Battery operated smoke alarms in Single and Multi-family homes, when replaced, must be replaced with 10 YEAR SEALED BATTERY SMOKE ALARMS.The great thing about these is that you cannot remove the battery, so tenants cannot just take the batteries out and leave your rental property unprotected.There is an exemption for the fire alarms systems with fire alarm devices that connect to a panel. When you install a smoke detector, they need to haveThe date of Manufacture displayedDate of Installation displayedIncorporate a hush featureContain a non-removable 10-year battery. Just a reminder that additional alarms must be installed in compliance with the building standardsOne Smoke alarm on each story and in the basementOne smoke alarm in each bedroomAn Additional alarm in each hallway and/or stairway that leads diretly to the sleeping areas. Brought to you by House Match Property ManagementPlease give us a call if you need excellent Property Management in the North San Diego or Temecula area. 858-922-9224 Paul or Christine 858-442-5149 Lic 01845341

Looking for succulents?

Fri, 19 May 2017 14:16:07 -0700

I was going to write a blog about succulents and water conservation, But I think I better go back and read all the responses to the daily questions about how to turn the photos around on this site...I removed all my grass and put in some succulents. Living in Southern California, the drought made us rethink having a full lawn in the front. It started out pretty sparse, but in 1.5 years they filled out beautifully, popping color at different times of the year. I highly recommend it for those of us in the sunny climates. Easy maintenance too and great for rental properties. Take a look. Christine KankowskiHouse Match CALic 01845341858-442-5149

Seller is open to Sale, Rental, Lease Option

Mon, 15 May 2017 07:57:04 -0700

SO, I have an amazing house that I can sell, rent,or lease option for the seller.It is Huge, so the possibilities are endless on this home.8600 SF, Large Lot, Pool, Solar, Rooftop deck, Granny Suite with separate entrance, $1,650,000Come and See this one-of-a-kind home for sale at the top of Del Cerro. Featuring a spacious 8.637 Sq. Ft on a quiet cul-del sac with only 5 homes. The 7 bedroom, (could easily be 9 rooms) 7 bath home borders 10 acres of open space. The master wing is enormous with bedroom, office, 2 baths, whirlpool, fireplace with sitting area, as well as 2 balconies. It also features a hidden security room and walk-in closet, and hardwood floors. Several of the bedrooms are double sized. The In-law suite downstairs features 2 bedrooms, kitchenette, family area, its own laundry and own private entrance and patio area. Upstairs ...has been updated with beautiful hardwood flooring. Newer Dual Paned vinyl windows and sliders installed throughout the home leave the home bright and airy. The 2/3 acre property has a turf field, deck, small putting green, and an orchard with fruit-producing trees. The spacious pool and spa has waterfall and phone operated controls. LED lighting, 2 story detached pool house, BBQ area. Large pool room inside the home with large bar area opens to the pool area. Do not miss the 400+ sf lighted, roof deck with 360 degree views, the oversized 4 car garage (with 3 separate doors). Fully paid for solar panels were recently installed and bring the annual electric costs to 0 (depending on use). In addition the seller will provide full 3d as-builts of the entire home useable for future remodels and schematic plans for potential remodel by well-known SD Architect. Christine Kankowski858-442-5149House MAtch inc Lic 01845341

Beautiful Home in Temecula for sale - Morgan Hill

Mon, 01 May 2017 12:48:07 -0700

Beautiful Morgan Hill Home for sale. This spacious home features 5 bedrooms + Office, 4.5 bath, and a 3 car garage. On full bedroom and the office, with a double door are situated on the first floor. The kitchen, complete with granite countertops, opens up into a great room that is perfect for entertaining. Plenty of room for a large kitchen table. As you walk upstairs, there is an open bonus room. There are four bedrooms upstairs including a large master bedroom. Two walk in closets, separate bath and shower. The backyard has a large cemented area and covered area. The Morgan Hill clubhouse is state of the art with a large pool, jacuzzi, toddler pool, tennis courts, banquet hall, and Fitness Gym. Excellent Temecula Schools. Walk to the local dog park and large park with Volleyball and Basketball court.Please Call Christine Kankowski with House MAtch Inc for more info or a showing time. Thank you!! 858-442-5149

What to Consider before investing in Property

Sun, 30 Apr 2017 18:39:50 -0700

Ok, so let's say you have some extra savings that are not making any real interest in your bank account. You have a few options for investments to let that money work for you, instead of the other way around. Before buying the first house you see, there is a good amount of research needed on your part, to make sure the property is what is best for you.How much risk are you willing to take? Are you willing to trade higher cash flow for a lower quality neighborhood? By lower quality, I mean higher crime rate, lower income average of tenants in the area, etc. For a first property, I recommend going in a stable area with good schools and low unemployment rate. This will lead to more stable rental clients, hopefully longer tenancies, etc. Property tax rates and HOA dues vary greatly, so make sure you know what these are up front. This could mean the difference between positive and negative cash flow. Do you have extra funds beyond the down payment and closing costs to cover future repairs? Not everything can be forseen. You may be hit with needing a new water heater, oven, or have a plumbing issue. You will need to have some savings to cover these necessities. When you find a good house, Make sure you get a good inspector out there to thoroughly check the home. Calculate your operating expences from insurance, vacancy, mortgage, repairs, property management (highly recommended) Taxes and possibly HOA dues, etc. How much can it rent for realistically?These are just a few. Feel free to comment on some other areas to consider before purchasing the investment property. Thanks, Christine Kankowski with House Match Property Management - Temecula, Californiawww.HouseMAtchCA.com

My Biggest house yet!

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 19:32:39 -0700

Please send over a buyer/ Investor for this GRAND HOME.. Featuring a spacious 8.637 Sq. Ft on a quiet cul-del sac with only 5 homes. The 7 bedroom, 7 bath home borders 10 acres of open space. $1.75Mil. 6430 Brynwood Way, San Diego, CA 92120The master wing is enormous with bedroom, office, 2 baths, whirlpool, fireplace with sitting area, as well as 2 balconies. It also features a hidden security room and walk-in closet, and hardwood floors. Several of the bedrooms are double sized.The “In-law” suite downstairs features 2 bedrooms, kitchenette, family area, its own laundry and own private entrance and patio area. Upstairs has been updated with beautiful hardwood flooring. Newer Dual Paned vinyl windows and sliders installed throughout the home leave the home bright and airy. The yard in the rear has a turf field, deck, small putting green, and an orchard with fruit-producing trees. The spacious pool and spa has waterfall and phone operated controls. LED lighting, 2 story detached pool house, BBQ area. Large pool room inside the home with large bar area opens to the pool area.Do not miss the large roof deck with 360 degree views, the oversized 4 car garage (with 3 separate doors). Fully paid for solar panels were recently installed and bring the electric costs way down (close to 0?)In addition the seller will provide full 3d as-builts of the entire home useable for future remodels and schematic plans for potential remodel by well-known SD Architect

A Good Property Manager Could have Prevented this real Stories from owners

Sat, 22 Apr 2017 19:27:40 -0700

ok, So I do property management. I'll admit it, However, before I was fully licensed and knowledgable of the laws, I did manage my own properties, as many people do. I thought I did a good job. I ran potential tenants credit, made sure htey had agood job and rented them the property with an off-the-shelf lease. As I encountered some minor problems, but added properties, I decided I should learn the real ropes.Here are a few stories from owners that i heard when taking over their properties to manage themMost of these things a good property manager could have prevented by having pre-move-in inspections, stronger leases, pro-active mgmt to get rents paid, etc. 1. One of the tenants gave notice, didn't pay last months rent, and said he would show the property for me, so that I didn't need to come out to the property to show it. After 8 or so potentials decided not to apply, i wondered what was wrong. One applicant called me and said that I might want to visit the proerty to see the dog feces and trash all over the carpet. Ugh. I called the teannt and let him know I woudl be there the next morning. By the time I got there, they were gone with a U-haul. Trash and dog feces was pretty gross. This could have been found earlier by visiting the property upon the tenant giving notice. We always show tenanted properties ourselves. we do not let the tenants do that.2. One tenant, I heard from an owner, had been on the same lease since 1997. Owner never had a need to enter the property in all this time. Every time the owner wanted to raise the rent, the tenant gave them a guilt trip, saying that they were such good tenants, etc. Needless to say, they were about $700 low in the rent.. for years. Same owner hadn't inspected the property to make sure smoke detectors and Carbon monoxide detectors were installed. This is a the law in California. This could have been a huge liability issue for the owner if anything went wrong. Owners managing themselves is perfectly allowed and doable, but they need to be up on the laws and be able to expect the market rent and follow through when things need to be done. Who else has some crazy landlord tenant stories that could have been prevented with some proper management?

One of a Kind House For sale - San Diego

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 09:51:15 -0700

Come and See this one-of-a-kind home for sale at the top of Del Cerro, in the heart of San Diego, near San Diego State University. Featuring a spacious 8.637 Sq. Ft on a quiet cul-del sac with only 5 homes. The 7 bedroom, 7 bath home borders 10 acres of open space. $1,750,000The master wing is enormous with bedroom, office, 2 baths, whirlpool, fireplace with sitting area, as well as 2 balconies. It also features a hidden security room and walk-in closet, and hardwood floors. Several of the bedrooms are double sized.The “In-law” suite downstairs features 2 bedrooms, kitchenette, family area, its own laundry and own private entrance and patio area. Upstairs has been updated with beautiful hardwood flooring. Newer Dual Paned vinyl windows and sliders installed throughout the home leave the home bright and airy. The 2/3 acre property has a turf field, deck, small putting green, and an orchard with fruit-producing trees. The spacious pool and spa has waterfall and phone operated controls. LED lighting, 2 story detached pool house, BBQ area. Large pool room inside the home with large bar area opens to the pool area.Do not miss the 400+ sf lighted, roof deck with 360 degree views, the oversized 4 car garage (with 3 separate doors). Fully paid for solar panels were recently installed and bring the annual electric costs to 0 (depending on use). In addition the seller will provide full 3d as-builts of the entire home useable for future remodels and schematic plans for potential remodel by well-known SD Architect.

How can I send you that information?

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 08:08:56 -0700

This is one of my favorite programs! I was able to send off a signed counter while out and about. Just signed, scanned and emailed off to the agent! To note- it is also able to scan as a PDF or as an image. Give it a try. It is a free app. "How can I send you the information that you asked for" is a question I am asked often by borrowers. While most borrowers have a scanner available to them at home or work, not all borrowers have access to one. Almost everyone has a smartphone and there are countless scanning apps available for both iPhone and Android users. These allow users to take a picture of the document and forward that to their loan officer by email. My favorite program is Scannable (it is only available for the iPhone). It is just so simple to use and it is free! Just open the app, aim the camera at your document! Scannable recognizes what it is scanning and creates a PDF of the document. If you have more than one page to scan just move the camera to the next page before sending your document. Stone simple! Some helpful hints I've learned along the way for successful smartphone scanning. - Find a well lit area away from direct light. - Find a dark background. The app has a easier time figuring out what is document and what is background that way. - Hold the camera steady and try to let the document fill as much of the window as possible.- If you are taking a picture of your ID, skip Scannable and use the camera app. - Avoid glare from lights or flash. I'm an iPhone guy, so my personal experience is with Scannable. Friends who have Andoid phones say they are fans of an app called CamScanner. CamScanner has similar features to Scannable. If you want to try other apps be careful of ones that leave a watermark in the image. The watermark can obscure part of the document you are scanning. The underwriter will ask for a clear scan without the watermark._____________________________________________________________________ Please be green and recycle. When you are done reading this post, please recycle it by forwarding it to someone you think who will enjoy reading it as well. Thank you! If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Connecticut or is looking to refinance their home in Connecticut -Please give Jon Sigler, Mortgage Banker (NMLS#119288) a call at 860-306-8029. Be sure to check out Jon's website Embrace Home Loans and his blog. As quoted in the New York Times "A Little-Known Loan Program", and in the Hartford Courant "Moving In:Couple Combining Households Buys In Newington" and "Moving In... New Britain" Connecticut Magazine 2013, 2014, 2015 Five Star Mortgage Professional Award Recipient

This is not an offer or commitment to lend. Articles, information and commentary are offered for informational purposes only, and should not to be relied on as legal, tax or financial advice. Consumers should retain their own legal, tax and financial professionals for such advice.

Is this the Next Big Kitchen Trend?

Sun, 25 Jun 2017 11:01:25 -0700

This happens to be my brothers kitchen!! (Taken from mydomaine.com) Go there to see the amazing pictures that go with the article. If there's one thing we love more than an all-white interior, it's an all-white kitchen. Case in point: this stunning Hollywood Hills makeover by Homepolish Creative Director Orlando Soria. With a heady nod to the classic Cape Cod style, this stunning renovation taps into a new trend we're seeing emerge across all home interiors: the modern traditional look. It's clean, minimal, and contemporary with that time-honored twist of our past. But it didn't look anything like this when Soria first approached the project."The kitchen was stuck in the '90s. It was dated and not in keeping with the traditional style of the rest of the house," he told MyDomaine. "In summary, the kitchen stuck out like a sore thumb." The goal? To fuse the design with the rest of the home and transport it to the present day. "The owners of the home are also amazing hosts who love to throw cocktail parties, so I wanted them to have a gorgeous kitchen they could be proud of when their guests came over." We're pretty sure he nailed that directive. Who wouldn't want to dine in this space? Ahead, Soria reveals his tips for creating a warm all-white kitchen and the design mistake he turned into a triumpIf there's one thing every kitchen needs, it's a prep space. "This is something a lot of people forget about when designing a kitchen," explains Soria. "They'll just think about where all the appliances need to go and forget to leave open space. For example, you need counter space next to the sink as well as next to the range. Even the refrigerator benefits from having some counter space next to it (for setting your bag of groceries down). So in designing a kitchen, I tell people to remember to leave some open space, don't just put cabinets everywhere Since the color throughout the house is minimal (mostly brought in with art and amazing furnishings), Soria knew he wouldn't be going crazy with the foundational color in the kitchen. "The goal was classic, so I went with wood flooring (the same as the rest of the house), marble countertops, and simple gray-and-white cabinetry," he said. "In older homes like this, I tend to like to be more conservative with my design. Nothing sticks out more than a super-contemporary kitchen in an older home.If you want to warm up a white space, the key is in the variety of textures and materials you introduce. So here, Soria added marble countertops, a sisal rug, a large wooden china hutch, and of course the wooden flooring. "Stone may seem like a 'cool' material, but it actually brings in visual warmth because of its texture and bright color," he said. "Woven items such as sisal rugs help dial up the space even more because of their warm hue and texture. Creating warmth is all about balance, making sure if you have a stark white cabinet, you counterbalance it with something inviting and cozy.Of course, no makeover is ever truly complete without some mishaps along the way, and Soria says there were a few hiccups with this one. "Firstly we wondered if there were time and budget for continuing the wooden flooring into the room," he said. "It was previously a hideous tile that needed to go, so we knew we were going to redo the floors regardless." That aside, the layout was also a bit of a challenge. "Keeping the space wide and open, which they wanted, while not making it look too cavernous was a challenge. Adding the rugs and table helped fill the space and make it feel cozier." We had a bit of excess marble from the countertop, which the contractor fashioned into a tray," he said. "I thought it was a fun way to avoid wasting material, and a contractor had never offered to do that before."

California Drought Restrictions Lifted

Fri, 14 Apr 2017 09:27:52 -0700

For those of you who own rental property in the California area, you will be pleased to know we have had our share of rain and snow this winter. Governer Jerry Brown declared an end to the Drought state of Emergency. During the drought, HOA's , owners and property managers were not allowed to enforce fines for not watering grass or other plants and vegetation even if they were wrtten in the HOA documents. Now those rights have been reinstated. FRom the Drought.ca.gov web site, Water Conservation for February was 25%, more than double the 11% savings from February 2016.As Always, communication with your owners and tenants is key. Let the tenants know that they can and should water the grass as needed to ensure a green and full lawn. ALso remind them to turn off the automatic sprinklers for 48 hours before and after rainfall.There are certain activities still prohibited, such as washing vehicles witha hose that does not have a shut-off nozzle. (For a few months, car washing was not allowed at all, however that restriction was lifted quickly) Also not allowed is allowing run-off from watering lawns withing 48 hours of measurable precipitation. Everyone should do their part in not wasting water, but now the restrictions have been ligted. In the long run, many owners have replaced grass with drought tolerant plants like succulents or turf, which will help the long term water saving in the State. See Drought.Ca.Gov for more information and monthly updates.