by Jeff Pittman | Sep 10, 2016 | Homeowners
Good Reasons To Modernize Your Home Before Selling A home with modern features and amenities is more likely to sell at the top of its price range than one that is seen as “dated”. Unless a buyer is searching for a fixer-upper, he or she won’t want to pay top dollar for a house that needs to be renovated before moving in. It really is amazing how much of a difference modernizing your home can make when it comes to selling. And how simple the changes can make a big difference in the long run. Here are six reasons why renovating is straight up a great idea before selling your home. BUYERS PREFER FUNCTIONALITY OVER CHARM While buyers may like a little bit of charm or character from a house, what they really want is functionality. Opening up the floor plan or adding modern features such as new appliances or central air makes the house easier to spend many years in. AUTOMATION MAKES A HOME EASIER TO MANAGE Home lighting automation makes it easier to keep electric bills down while smart appliances can tell you if there is a problem before it becomes costly to fix. Since you don’t need wires, there is less mess and less of a fire or safety hazard. This also can help add a unique lighting and glow to your home which can make it really stand out. ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS A HUGE DRAW LED lights, a new furnace or natural insulation in the attic can reduce a buyer’s carbon footprint and help save money at the same time. If you want to sell...
by Jeff Pittman | Aug 30, 2016 | Events
Events In Orange County September 2016 Summer is coming to a close but the fun doesn’t end in Orange County. Check out events in Orange County this September that will have you feeling the fall vibes and local community scene. ORANGE INTERNATIONAL STREET FAIR Friday, September 2nd – Sunday, September 4th Fri. 5PM-10PM; Sat. & Sun. 10AM-10PM orangestreetfair.org Source: Flickr Come hungry to the Orange International Street Fair because it’s all about the delicious international cuisine and you’ve got to try it all. You’ve got all weekend after all! There’s more entertainment to go along with stuffing your face including several stages with live entertainment all weekend long, arts and crafts booths, community booths and more. PARADE OF SAIL Friday, September 9th 4:30PM-7:30PM ocean-institute.org Join the armada as you cast off for adventure aboard a historic tall ship at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. Sing sea shanties, haul up sail, or simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular demonstration of skill, knowledge and survival. Enjoy picturesque views and a sunset sail aboard an old fashioned tall ship. GREEN FEAST 2016 Saturday, September 10th 4PM-10PM theecologycenter.org Local chefs, farmers, fishermen, and vintners collaborate on a magical farm to table dining experience in support of The Ecology Center. The Ecology Center is located in San Juan Capistrano and is a non-profit educational center that teaches hands-on environmental solutions to life at home, in the office and in the community. Tickets for the dinner fundraiser start at $250 for members and $300 for non-members. Guests will enjoy fresh food prepared by local chefs with an auction to follow. FIESTAS PATRIAS Saturday,...
by Jeff Pittman | Aug 23, 2016 | Sellers
5 Ways To Light Up Your Kitchen With Leds When Selling Your Home When you put your house on the market, there are several factors to consider that might help bolster its attractiveness to potential buyers. Lighting is one of the key features of a space that many homeowners forget to pay special attention to. Not only can a dim or too-bright light distract potential buyers from the rest of your home, it can also cast unwanted shadows and create uninviting coloration throughout the space. One way to deter from this is by using LED lighting, especially in the kitchen. WHAT DOES LED MEAN? LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are energy-saving light sources that offer tremendous design flexibility and have the ability to last for decades. From accent lighting to illuminating an entire room, its uses are nearly endless. The advancement of LED technology has given way to a drop in bulb prices and a massive range of styles and color temperatures available. While replacing traditional kitchen lighting with modern LEDs may feel like an expensive task, the benefits—less expensive electrical bills, superior light quality, a bulb life of multiple decades and overall sustainability—can be an attractive selling point for prospective buyers. Here are five ways to light up your kitchen with LEDs. 1. RECESSED LIGHTING Recessed ceiling lights are a popular primary lighting choice for kitchens. With many spaces using ten or more of these lights, converting to LED saves a substantial amount of energy consumption. Traditionally equipped with halogen or incandescent bulbs, most recessed fixtures can easily be converted with LED kits or retrofits. Does your space have...
by Jeff Pittman | Aug 15, 2016 | Homeowners
4 Tips For Avoiding Clogged Drains Clogged drains are a common problem for homeowners – happens to the best of us. Clogged drains, if left alone for long enough, can have a serious impact on your plumbing and cause more serious issues down the road. That is why it is so essential for you to take care of things like this as soon as possible. However, the best solution is prevention, not repair. Make sure that you are doing everything you can to properly maintain your pipes on a regular basis. There’s nothing worse than having clogged drains, but luckily you can avoid them by following these simple rules. KNOW WHAT CAN’T GO DOWN THE DRAIN There are a number of things that aren’t supposed to go into drains or garbage disposals. If you are questioning whether or not something should go in the garbage disposal, don’t do it! Chances are that it will do more bad than good, and it is always better to be safe than sorry. There are quite a few things that you should definitely never put down your drain. First, and most damaging, on the list is grease. Grease can solidify in your pipes and cause a major build-up that’s expensive to repair. It sticks to the sides of your pipes and builds up over time. Also, remember that garbage disposals don’t work great with all foods. Fibrous foods, such as broccoli or celery, are bad to put down the drain. The stringy structure of these items are problematic for the garbage disposal. Obviously, don’t put non-food items in the garbage disposal, either. By...
by Jeff Pittman | Jul 31, 2016 | Weekly Quote
“Focus on being productive instead of busy.” ~ Tim Ferris
