EcoGardeners.com

Pets are a beloved part of many families, and creating a safe and enjoyable outdoor space for them is important.

Whether you have a dog, cat, or other outdoor pet, there are several steps you can take to make your yard or garden safe for them.

  1. Check for poisonous plants: Many common plants are toxic to pets and can cause serious health problems if ingested. Before planting anything in your yard or garden, research the plants to ensure they are safe for pets. Some common poisonous plants include lilies, tulips, azaleas, and oleander.
  2. Install fencing: Fencing your yard can help to keep your pets safe and prevent them from wandering off. Make sure the fencing is secure and tall enough to prevent your pets from jumping over it.
  3. Avoid toxic chemicals: Pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides can be toxic to pets if ingested. Try to avoid using these chemicals in your yard or garden, and if you must use them, keep your pets away from the area until the chemicals have dried.
  4. Create shade: Providing shade in your yard or garden can help to keep your pets cool and prevent heatstroke. Consider planting trees or installing a shade structure to provide shade in your outdoor space.
  5. Provide water: Make sure your pets have access to fresh, clean water at all times. Consider installing a pet fountain or automatic waterer to ensure they always have access to water.
  6. Keep your yard clean: Regularly cleaning up your yard can help to prevent your pets from getting into harmful materials, such as chemicals or sharp objects. Additionally, keeping your yard clean can help to prevent the spread of disease and parasites.
  7. Provide toys and play areas: Providing toys and play areas in your yard can help to keep your pets entertained and prevent them from getting into trouble. Consider installing a sandbox or playhouse for your pets to enjoy.

 

Creating a safe and enjoyable outdoor space for your pets requires some extra effort, but it is well worth it. By following these steps, you can help to ensure that your pets stay safe and happy in your yard or garden. Remember to check for poisonous plants, install fencing, avoid toxic chemicals, create shade, provide water, keep your yard clean, and provide toys and play areas.

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Forbes.com | Updated: May 31, 2023

 

Improving your home through renovations is an excellent, and sometimes necessary, way to make your house feel like home. Choosing to add a master suite addition instead of rebuilding the bathroom usually comes down to personal preference. However, the game changes when you’re planning to sell your home. Saving money on renovation work and controlling the cost of selling becomes crucial to getting the most out of your investment.

Much talk centers around a seller’s return on investment, and the ROI percentages vary depending on who’s doing the estimating. Some home improvement projects produce excellent ROI values, while some are just ways to spend money. The best investments when getting your home on the market provide strong returns along with big-impact selling points.


1. Don’t Put on an Addition

A good rule of thumb when searching for high ROI values is to avoid big-ticket reconstruction projects. The cost of home additions or major remodels is almost never worth it in dollars in the end. With ROIs averaging around 45% for a master suite addition, save the project for your forever home. Additions and major remodeling projects are excellent for improving the comfort and utility of a house but aren’t great at producing monetary returns.

Do Paint the Walls

Instead of spending loads of money and months of work moving walls and building a home addition, grab a paintbrush. Painting is the least expensive and most effective way to make a good impression. Repairing holes in the walls and painting the interior with neutral colors doesn’t add a lot of monetary value, but it doesn’t cost much either. Expect ROI values of over 105% for interior painting and 80% for the exterior.


2. Don’t Reconstruct the Foyer

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Similar to other big-ticket remodels, some small remodels don’t fare well on ROI value either. Specialty remodels such as creating a mudroom or adding a grand foyer may look nice to some, but turn some buyers off. Many buyers have visions of what an entryway should be, and it’s hard to guess what they’re thinking. Mudrooms and entry remodels will return less than 60% of your investment.

Do Replace the Front Door

On the other hand, the entrances to your home can be significantly enhanced by replacing the doors or windows. Garage door replacement can fetch returns of 95% of the cost at selling time. Window replacement ROI often depends on the climate in your location. Cold weather areas see greater returns of up to 70%, while moderate temperature locales realize less return.

Front door replacement is another ROI winner. Sellers with new front doors can see returns of 80% or more. If you have the time and patience to strip and refinish an older, but solid, front door, you could do even better.


3. Don’t Remodel the Kitchen

As fantastic and functional as a perfectly outfitted chef’s kitchen can be, remodeling one with ROI in mind comes up a few ingredients short. Due to the necessity of moving mechanical systems during remodeling, kitchen renovations are pricey. Worse, your return on investment could be as low as 55%.

Do Update Fixtures

If your kitchen needs help before selling, focus on the little details. Cheap renovations often go a long way toward increasing your home’s value without breaking the bank. Instead of remodeling a worn-out kitchen, spend no more than $350 to replace the faucet and a few hundred to replace the lights. Your best bet is to look for relatively inexpensive, but attractive, items while avoiding extravagance.


4. Don’t Rebuild the Bathrooms

Everybody loves a brand new bathroom. New bathrooms don’t help at selling time, though. Bathroom remodeling suffers the same troubles as kitchen remodels, with ROI values in the 55% range.

Do Update Faucets and Lighting

Similar to your kitchen, spend a few dollars on updating the plumbing and lighting fixtures. Avoid demolition and replacement of tile work, but replacing moldy-looking tile grout helps. And, don’t forget the paint.


5. Don’t Install a Pool

Getty Images

Many potential buyers simply scroll past home listings with inground pools. Especially in colder climate areas, trying to sell someone a long list of pool maintenance chores is a daunting task. Besides ROI values that hover around 50%, buyers looking for a functional backyard will look the other way. Like other big-ticket renovations, build your pool when you’ve found your forever home.

Do Add a Patio or Refresh the Deck

Although building a patio or deck will only return 66% on your investment, they are good selling points and may be the difference between selling quickly or slowly. And, they cost far less than an inground pool. Decks and patios that are in lousy shape are definitely on any buyer’s con list. If your deck needs attention, look at refreshing it with new deck boards instead of total replacement if possible.


6. Don’t Replace the Siding

The old saying that you only get one chance to make a first impression is true in home selling. However, spending many thousands of dollars replacing the exterior siding may not be the best use of your money to make that impression. If your siding is in good shape, consider painting it or simply power washing it until it shines. Always fix any holes or damage, but a bit of refreshment might be all it needs.

Do Add a Stone Veneer Instead

If your house needs a new look to sell, leave most of the home’s siding alone and replace part of it with a stone veneer instead. Popularized in the 1950s, the look still sells. Relatively inexpensive to install, stone veneer improvements can realize 92% ROI.


7. Don’t Build Extra Storage Spaces

Closet space and storage areas are nice to have. The trouble with spending money on renovations to increase storage spaces to gain a return is that everyone, including your potential buyer, has a different idea of what storage should look like and how it needs to function.

Do Downsize

Save your money trying to impress buyers with vast storage options. If it looks like your home has inadequate storage space, spend some time downsizing or removing excess items before it goes to market.


8. Don’t Install Major Landscaping Features

Getty Images

Outdoor kitchens, ornate gazebos, extravagant water features, fountains and putting greens are all on the “no” list when it comes to ROI. Your current landscaping may need a little refresh, but that’s where it should stop to get the most bang for your buck.

Do Focus on Curb Appeal Instead

If you’ve already replaced the garage door and added a stone veneer, you’re nearly done. Before the first day on the market, mow the lawn, power wash the walkways and trim the hedges. Make sure that you’ve had significant cracks in the concrete repaired.

To really make an impression with very little investment, consider hiring a reputable lawn care service to get your yard looking its best. Returns of 80% and more happen when sellers focus on curb appeal over major landscaping projects.


9. Don’t Buy the Latest Fixtures

You’ve decided to upgrade your bathroom and kitchen plumbing and lighting fixtures. Expensive, trendy faucets and lighting can sell for well over $1,000 each. The ROI on them is zero from a buyer looking for something more traditional. Save the guesswork and the cash you’d otherwise spend on expensive fixtures and find lesser-priced options.

Install Good-Enough Fixtures Instead

Faucets and light fixtures can be found in any price range. Except for some specialized functions, they all do the same thing. If your kitchen and bath need new equipment, aim for products in the $100 to $200 range. These fixtures are priced reasonably and provide functional attractiveness.


10. Don’t Replace Mechanical Systems

If your furnace doesn’t work and your roof has holes, they need replacement. But, when replaced, HVAC, plumbing and electrical infrastructure, water heaters and other unseen systems don’t add home value. However, they can bring down the value if they don’t operate. Roofing ROI hovers around 55%, and they aren’t cheap to install. If you can sell your home without putting money into replacing mechanical systems, you’ll have more money in your pocket when you move out.

Do Keep Up On Maintenance Tasks

Neglected maintenance tasks will be discovered quickly by the buyer’s home inspector. Instead of spending hard-earned cash on replacing systems, spend that money on keeping your home’s existing systems in top shape. Cheap, easy and high ROI fixes include replacing worn doorknobs, cleaning out the rain gutters and repairing sidewalk cracks, among other similar items.

EcoGardeners.com

Maintaining a beautiful lawn in Southern California can be a challenging task due to the hot and dry climate, but with proper lawn care tips, it is possible to have a lush and healthy lawn all year round.

Here are some lawn care tips that can help you achieve a beautiful lawn in Southern California:

  1. Choose the right grass type: Choosing the right type of grass is essential for maintaining a beautiful lawn in Southern California. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia are well-suited to the region’s hot and dry climate.
  2. Water deeply and infrequently: In Southern California, it is important to water your lawn deeply and infrequently rather than frequently and shallowly. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper, which helps the grass to withstand drought conditions. It is recommended to water the lawn two to three times a week during the hot summer months, depending on the grass type.
  3. Mow regularly: Mowing your lawn regularly helps to keep it healthy and looking its best. The height of the grass should be adjusted according to the grass type. For example, Bermuda grass should be cut at a height of 1 to 1.5 inches, while St. Augustine grass should be cut at a height of 2 to 3 inches.
  4. Fertilize regularly: Fertilizing your lawn regularly can help to promote healthy growth and improve its overall appearance. It is recommended to fertilize warm-season grasses during the spring and summer months, and cool-season grasses during the fall and winter months.
  5. Control weeds: Weeds can be a nuisance in any lawn, but they can be particularly problematic in Southern California. It is important to control weeds as soon as they appear to prevent them from spreading. Hand weeding or using herbicides can be effective in controlling weeds.
  6. Aerate the soil: Aeration is the process of creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the roots of the grass. Aeration is especially important in areas with heavy foot traffic or compacted soil. It is recommended to aerate your lawn at least once a year.
  7. Use mulch: Mulching can help to conserve water and improve the overall health of your lawn. Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil, which reduces the need for watering. It also helps to regulate soil temperature and provides nutrients to the soil as it breaks down.

We loved these ideas so much that we’re reposting these for Mother’s Day 2024!  I’m sure you’ll find something here that she’ll love and appreciate.  🙂


BY WOMANSDAY.COM UPDATED: MAY 4, 2021

These meaningful gifts for mom may not cost money, but will show you care all the same.

Realtor.com

We’ve been fantasizing about it for months, and finally warmer weather has arrived. We know: You just want to fire up the grill and start working on your tan—we do, too! But before you can kick back in your hammock (or in your pool on your giant patriotic bald eagle float, if that’s your thing), there are a few tasks you’ll need to tackle.

And you can bet they’re all outside.

“The old adage ‘April showers bring May flowers’ rings true and makes May prime time for landscaping and lawn care in most of the country,” says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

But it goes beyond gardening and yard work. Now’s the last chance to take care of all that winter wear and tear and transform your home’s outdoor space into something worthy of the host with the most.

The good news? We’re here to make it as quick and easy on you as possible—with our handy checklist of home maintenance chores, you can knock them out and get back to that pool float ASAP. We’ve provided tips for doing each task faster and easier—or with the help of a pro.

Inspect patios and walkways

Task: Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on hardscape surfaces made of loose (unmortared) brick, stone, and concrete paving materials. Check to see if frost heave and erosion have caused pavers to shift, rise, or sink. You’ll want to fix any unevenness for safety as well as aesthetic reasons.

Shortcuts: Repair hardscape surfaces using a wheelbarrow filled with playground sand and a sturdy trowel. Pry up displaced pavers, smooth and even out the bed with fresh sand, and replace the paver.

Call in the pros: This is a good job for a handyman. Expect to pay $30 to $60 an hour, depending on your location.

Feed your lawn

Task: After a wet spring, your lawn might be looking quite rich and lush. Since Mother Nature did the hard work, you can sit back and relax, right? Not so fast. Grass loves nutrients, so now’s the time to add high-nitrogen fertilizer to help suppress weeds and keep your lawn looking great all summer.

Shortcuts: A push-powered broadcast spreader makes quick work of fertilizing your lawn. You’ll find spreaders suitable for an average suburban lawn for $35 to $100. If you have a cooking compost pile, you can substitute home-grown compost for commercial fertilizers.

Call in the pros: A lawn care company will spray on a chemical fertilizer for about $40 an application.

Repair fences and gates

Task: Cycles of cold and wet weather cause wood to move, twist, and warp. That can make garden gates fall out of alignment, and can cause fence pickets to loosen or fall off. Check for signs of loose fencing, and fix sagging gates.

Shortcuts: A cordless battery-powered nail gun ($250) makes quick work of refastening pickets and fence supports. Use only galvanized nails for outdoor work. Use a power drill fitted with a screw tip or a hex driver to remove or tighten loose screws and bolts in gates.

Call in the pros: This is a good job for a handyman. You’ll pay $30 to $60 an hour, depending on your location.

Mulch flower and vegetable beds

Task: Prevent evaporation and help keep weeds in check by insulating planting beds with 2 to 4 inches of mulch.

Shortcuts: Set aside a mulching day, and have a landscaping service deliver bulk mulch and dump it where you can get to it easily (like your driveway). Plan on 1 cubic yard of mulch to cover 100 square feet, with mulch 3 inches deep.

Call in the pros: A landscaping service will put in the mulch, but it’ll cost you—to the tune of $300 to $600 for 500 square feet, depending on your location.

Wash windows

Task: As your yard takes shape and your gardens come into full bloom, you’ll want to see everything clearly. It’s time to wash away winter’s dirt and grime from your windows.

Shortcuts: Have a partner clean the outside while you do the inside of the same window. That way, you can identify which side of the glass contains lingering streaks and smudges, and get rid of them on the spot. Plus, who wants to clean alone?

Call in the pros: In addition to cleaning the glass, a professional window washer will remove and clean screens and remove accumulated dirt from sliding tracks for $2 to $7 per window.

Service your grill

Task: Nobody wants a rack of ribs with last year’s grill gunk on them. Before you fire up the ol’ barbecue, make sure your grill is clean and that any gas hoses and connections are secure.

Shortcuts: No matter what kind of grill you have, invest in a grill brush or other coarse cleaning brush, remove the grates and metal plates beneath them, and soak them in hot soapy water for five to 10 minutes. Then scrub hard. To rinse, spray them with the hose.

Cover the area where the grates usually go with foil, and use a stiff grill brush to clean grime from the hood and inside walls. Use a cleaner specifically designed for your grill’s surface (e.g., stainless steel, porcelain, or cast iron), and reassemble all parts.

Call in the pros: There are professional grill cleaners who will take your barbecue from slimy to spotless, but it will cost you the equivalent of a few porterhouse steaks. This Denver cleaning service offers quotes from $185 to $279.

Check your AC

Task: Now’s your last chance to double-check your air-conditioning unit and make sure it’s in good working order before the mercury starts to rise.

Shortcuts: Hook up a garden hose and spray the outside of the condenser to remove any dust that’s settled on the unit and connections. (Yes, dust can affect your AC’s effectiveness.) Don’t use a brush, and be careful if pressure washing—you could damage or bend the fins. Make sure to change the filter, too.

Call in the pros: Having a pro service your AC system costs a few hundred dollars and includes cleaning the condenser and lubricating the fan motor.

 

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You don’t want to miss this!

The newest Mexican food hall and market in OC is packed with 20+ places to eat. A foodie destination that should be on your list on your trip to Orange County.

There are a lot of food halls but this one is filled with good food and good vibes. This place gets so packed they even offer valet parking.

Open Monday-Tuesday & Sunday 6am-10pm, Friday & Saturday 6am-11pm.

They bring in live music on weekends and offer cooking classes throughout the year.

@mercado_northgategonzalez

 

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A post shared by LOCALE (@localemagazine)

Compliments of @localemagazine…

Want to do something besides the traditional “dinner” date? Here are 9 non-dinner ideas in Orange County.
.
🚣‍♂️ Take a romantic gondola ride in Newport Beach @gondolaadventures
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💆‍♀️ Have a relaxing Spa Day at @innatthemissionsjc
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💃 Spice up date night with Bachata Classes at @sevillaoc
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🚁 Take a Helicopter ride with @rogueaviation
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🌹 Go on a romantic stroll through @theshermangardens
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🎨 Explore all the beautiful art at @ocmamuseum in Costa Mesa
.
🏺 Take a pottery class at @artimebarro
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💡 Make your own Turkish Mosaic Lamp with @artmasterclass.usa
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⛳ Grab a bucket of balls and hit the driving range at The Islands Golf Center
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📸 credit: @gondolaadventures
#carealestategroup #familyfunfriday #ocrealtor #ocrealestate #ocrealestateagent #OrangeCountyDates #valentinesdaydates #dateideas #datenightideas

Keeping Current Matters | Apr 16, 2024

If you’ve got a move on your mind, you may be wondering whether you should wait to sell until mortgage rates come down before you spring into action. Here’s some information that could help answer that question for you.

In the housing market, there’s a longstanding relationship between mortgage rates and buyer demand. Typically, the higher rates are, you’ll see lower buyer demand. That’s because some people who want to move will be hesitant to take on a higher mortgage rate for their next home. So, they decide to wait it out and put their plans on hold.

But when rates start to come down, things change. It goes from limited or weak demand to good or strong demand. That’s because a big portion of the buyers who sat on the sidelines when rates were higher are going to jump back in and make their moves happen. The graph below helps give you a visual of how this relationship works and where we are today:

No Caption Received

As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist for Bright MLSexplains:

“The higher rates we’re seeing now [are likely] going to lead more prospective buyers to sit out the market and wait for rates to come down.”

Why You Might Not Want To Wait

If you’re asking yourself: what does this mean for my move? Here’s the golden nugget. According to experts, mortgage rates are still projected to come down this year, just a bit later than they originally thought.

When rates come down, more people are going to get back into the market. And that means you’ll have a lot more competition from other buyers when you go to purchase your next home. That may make your move more stressful if you wait because greater demand could lead to an increase in multiple offer scenarios and prices rising faster.

But if you’re ready and able to sell now, it may be worth it to get ahead of that. You have the chance to move before the competition increases.

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking about whether you should wait for rates to come down before you move, don’t forget to factor in buyer demand. Once rates decline, competition will go up even more. If you want to get ahead of that and sell now, talk to a CA Real Estate Agent.


Let’s connect and plan your next steps. Find out if we’re the right real estate team for you!

CA Real Estate Group | Caliber RE Group

👩🏻 Christine Almarines @carealestategroup
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | 714-476-4637

👩🏻 Anaid Bautista @wealthwithanaid
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | 949-391-8266
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Apr 15, 2024

In the spirit of tax day today, we’re posting this handy infographic guide to print and pin-up by your desk. This guide helps you determine what tax records to save, how long to store them, and the best ways to keep your records secure. To start 2024 off on a good foot, follow this guide to help you organize and store your tax files properly for years to come.
 
If you need to securely shred your outdated tax documents, we’re hosting a free paper shred event this month!  See details here:  Free Paper Shred Event

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