Oct

02

Need a chimney cleaning?

Posted In: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Neighborhood Businesses

(sing to the tune of the Calomine Lotion jingle) “Icky, sticky, drippy, crusty…oh I see that shiny stuff-y!” (end song) You know what I am talking about, right? Huh? CREOSOTE! That black stuff that sticks to the inside of your chimney. The stuff that, when you open your flue, sometimes trickles down in a fine, powdery substance. Did you know [...]

Sep

04

Are you being greenwashed?

Posted In: Home Improvement, Neighborhood Businesses

Everywhere you turn, it’s green this, green that. I feel like my skin is turning green! But just how green are the products you are using? I recently met with Becky Hatt, an Interior Designer with HAUS, an interior design and architecture firm which specializes in green building. “Companies are starting to capitalize on all of the hype surrounding the [...]

Sep

02

A call you will have to make

Posted In: For the Heck of It, Home Improvement, Web/Tech

You have the keys to your new house. The power is turned on, everything is moved in. Still haven’t turned on your phone? Perhaps you shouldn’t… I don’t think it will be long before landlines become a part of the landfills. Today, 14% of American adults are using their cell phone as their primary phone line, no landline required. And [...]

Jun

26

Becoming Green, Go Solar Water Heating

Posted In: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Neighborhood Businesses

Most of you know that I am becoming, well, green. And to some people (like 4 year old JJ) I have been green for awhile.I am trying to do my part at protecting and sustaining the environment. Outside of the home I try to walk or BART as much as possible, I support local and green businesses, I combine errands [...]

Mar

31

Aye, what a messy closet you have

Posted In: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Neighborhood Businesses

Let me set the mood: I am with a buyer, we walk into a multi-million $ house up in the hills, admire the stunning views from the living room, imagine cooking dinner on the gleaming Viking Range, walk on the refinished hardwood floors through the hallway, open up a closet in one of the bedrooms and *BOOM* its time to [...]

Nov

20

Childproof your home in minutes!

Posted In: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

So my daughter is becoming mobile. I got down on all fours, which, coincidently is right at her level, and went exploring through my house. Oh the things that I saw. Oh man, we are in for it. As I am taking her around to other people’s homes I am realizing how unsafe many homes are for the tots in [...]

Jun

04

What’s Hot…What’s Not

Posted In: For the Heck of It, Home Improvement

What’s Hot -Cozy, small homes on a big lot -Earth colors- brown, green, etc., as well as handmade accessories -Informal living spaces like an oversize family room and an open kitchen -Exotic hardwood floors like bamboo and Brazilian cherry -Mudrooms with cubbies, chests, and benches for kids and dogs -Marble, limestone, and concrete kitchen countertops What’s Not -McMansions -The cold [...]

Dec

21

Top 10: Real Estate Reading 2007

Posted In: For Buyers, For Sellers, For the Heck of It, Home Improvement, Investing

Give one as a gift or curl up on a couch with one. Here is the San Francisco Chronicle’s top real estate books of the year. 1. “Trump Style Negotiation” by George Ross. This book offers insights into Donald Trump’s big-thinking negotiating style. 2. “Buy Even Lower” by Scott Frank and Andy Heller. Aimed at investors. This book shows how [...]

Nov

16

Does that drip keep you up at night?

Posted In: Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

The past decade has proven an increasing demand for water in our homes, industry, and agriculture, resulting in water shortages in many parts of the United States. In certain parts of Texas homeowners can only water their lawn on Thursday’s between 5pm and 10pm. One can only assume that this upward trend will continue and this, together with the effects [...]

Nov

06

Payback for remodeling?

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance

“Help! If I remodel my kitchen will I recoup the cost when I sell?” The “Cost vs. Value Report” is published each year by Remodeling Magazine and gives you a city-by-city guide on what 25 common remodeling projects will pay back at resale in 60 U.S. markets. The project with the highest resale potential in the Bay Area? Replacing wooden [...]