A new year typically brings resolutions and promises to get better at some aspect of life. For homeowners, this is the perfect time to get the house in order. Use the start of a new calendar to organize, address, and review in preparation for the year ahead.

 

Review Maintenance Needs and Plan Ahead

Homes require regular, routine maintenance in addition to some less frequent updates. Take stock in both these needs and plan for them throughout the year. Changing filters, testing and replacing smoke alarm batteries, and dryer vent cleaning should all make the list.

 

Plan for larger needs as well like roof inspections or HVAC maintenance. Put everything on a calendar to hold yourself accountable and avoid it “slipping your mind”.

 

Update Emergency Plans and Contact Information

Emergency plans can change based on a variety of factors like the age of those residing in the home and any renovations. It is important to review the plan annually, ensure everyone is aware of the plan, and make any appropriate updates.

 

Emergency contact information should also be reviewed each year. A list is useless if the names, numbers, and addresses are inaccurate. Be sure to update any new family phone numbers along with changes to physicians, dentists, and veterinarians.

 

Pre-Spring Cleanup

The new year represents a fresh start and is a perfect time for a little pre-spring cleaning. While many months of winter may remain, is a great opportunity to evaluate the things around your home that may be excessive.

 

Evaluate closets and decide what clothing can be trashed or donated. Inspect storage spaces for useless or junk items that can be trashed, donated, or labeled for a spring yard sale. Take some time at the new year to do a little work and make the spring cleaning less cumbersome.

 

Conclusion

 

As part of your planning for the upcoming year, take a moment to evaluate your home and its needs. Approach the year with an organized perspective to make home maintenance far less daunting.

 

Do you own a house and are on the verge of foreclosure? Many people will do almost anything to maintain the roof over their heads. As a last-ditch effort, thousands of homeowners are turning to equity stripping to make their homes less attractive to creditors. However, don’t let desperate times call for desperate measures. While on paper this method seems fool-proof, it’s leaving people with even less than what they started with. Let’s take a look at what is “stripping the equity,” why it’s dangerous, and how to avoid it.

What is Equity Stripping?

Equity stripping is considered a form of asset protection. When someone is in debt (such as facing a foreclosure) and are having trouble making payments, creditors start to look at the assets that the debtor owns for collateral. For many, the most valuable asset we own is our home.

 

If you have a mortgage, you have been paying on your house. That means you have some equity in your asset. This is valuable to those who you are in debt to.

 

In order to shell out less money to creditors, you need to prove you have less assets than you actually do. The only way to do that is to hurt your assets. That’s why many are turning to equity stripping.

Types of Equity Stripping

There are a number of ways to go about lowering your equity on your house. Here are some of the most common:

Home Equity Line of Credit

The best way to keep creditors away from your equity is to tie your equity up elsewhere. To do this, many are putting their house up as collateral while they get a home equity line of credit (HELOC). This loan allows you to draw a maximum amount of the equity you already have in your house. The beauty? You don’t need to draw from the money…ever. There’s no penalty for not taking from the loan. Meanwhile, creditors looking at your assets will be turned off by seeing a HELOC.

Second Mortgage

While more effective, this is even riskier. Your equity is pretty much null and void because you will owe even more on the house than it’s worth. This might be a quick fix in fighting off a creditor, but it sets up a lifetime of debt.

Quit-Claim Deed

This used to be a lot more common before divorce became a regular occurence. Here, people sign over their property to a family member or spouse who has less debt. While it seems like a no-brainer, you are handing over your property rights to another person. If the person you signed the house over to doesn’t hold up their end of the bargain, you may find yourself up the creek without a paddle.

What to Do Instead of Equity Stripping?

Equity stripping may be effective, but it’s also dangerous. You can end up with worse credit, no equity, or even homeless. While these are worst-case scenarios, they should be taken into consideration. Before turning to equity stripping as your answer, try these tips first:

 

• Create a Budget and See Where You Can Cut Costs
• Contact the Lender About a New Payment Plan
• AirBnB or Rent Out an In-Law
• Refinance Your Mortgage with a Lower Interest Rate
• Sell Your House and Downsize or Rent

 

While none of these seem like easy answers, they are far less risky than opening up more lines of credit or signing over your house. Equity stripping might seem like answer, but it also can end up becoming a foreclosure scam. Be sure you make an educated decision before doing something as important as equity stripping.

 

Have a California property that you are considering putting on the market? Not sure if the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 is the right to pull the trigger? If you own any of the following properties:

• Commercial Real Estate
• Business Sales/Bulk Sales

 

And these properties are within the following California Regions:

• Inland Empire
• San Fernando Valley
• South East Los Angeles

 

We can help you make those decisions. Let’s take a look at the 2018-2019 real estate forecast for these famous California regions.

Inland Empire

This California region was hit pretty hard by the Great Recession almost a decade ago. Since the slow climb back, many have been apprehensive about the bubble giving out yet again.

 

Well, there’s no need to worry because there isn’t a bubble in sight. Research finds that right now might be the best time to buy and sell a house in Inland Empire.

 

Analysts also noted that if a recession were to hit Inland Empire, it wouldn’t be nearly as severe as it once was. However, employment, construction, and healthcare are all booming right now. That means retail and commercial estates are ripe for the selling.

San Fernando Valley

When it comes to multifamily investments, San Fernando Valley was on the radar for investors. This will continue as 2018 comes to a close and the calendar turns to 2019. The reason for this is that a $10 billion Warner Center investment just opened up.

 

This development created more jobs and brought extra people into San Fernando Valley. These citizens need a place to live. That’s why multifamily investments have been on the steady uprise all year long.

East Los Angeles

When it comes to the commercial real estate market, East Los Angeles ranks #1. Right now, the economy is doing very well. Plus, California has been offering a lot of new tax cuts. In turn, this has made business ventures in East Los Angeles more appealing. Analysts are predicting as high as 9% returns on all commercial real estate investments.

Why 2018-2019 is the Right Time for California Real Estate

This is without a doubt the best time to be in California since the Great Recession. Many are still living with a cloud of fear hanging over them. This apprehension makes getting in on the real estate market at this moment better than ever.

 

That’s because the economy is looking at a steady growth into the near future. With that being said, the pace will slow its rapid growth around 2020. Therefore, you need to ride the wave now when it’s white hot.

 

A home fire is one of the most tragic instances a homeowner can experience. Nothing else threatens human safety and destroys personal belongings faster than a quickly spreading fire in a home. Over 500,000 buildings are destroyed in America each year by fire. Here, we will discuss some things to be aware of and ways to ensure your home, and family, is fire safe.

 

 

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Check Smoke Detectors

The fastest way to ensure safety of persons and property is to be sure smoke detectors are operating appropriately. According to the United States Fire Administration, smoke detectors should be checked monthly. Even if your detectors are hardwired to your electrical supply, the battery backup should be tested. Smoke detectors should be placed on each level of the home and inside each bedroom, or at least outside the sleeping areas.

 

 

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Have a Fire Extinguisher

It may surprise you that many homes do not have a fire extinguisher available. The two main causes of home fires are cooking fires and improper smoking habits (like, falling asleep with a cigarette in hand). However, there are many other causes of fires inside a home that often start as small issues. The availability of a fire extinguisher could mean the difference between needing to do a little cleaning and having to find a new home.

 

 

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Be Aware

Always check for fire hazards as you move about your home on a regular basis. Are candles near flammable objects? Are lighters and matches out of the reach of children? Is there anything near the stove that could catch fire? Is my dryer vent clean of lint buildup? These are all questions that should be answered regularly, as things frequently change.

Ensuring the fire safety of your home is simple. It just requires that you take the few appropriate steps to double check for small dangers. While not all fires are preventable, the majority are. Keep an eye on the things we discussed here, and you can confidently know that your home is fire safe.

 

Spring cleaning gets all the glory. However, fall is a great time to get your house in tip-top shape as well. After all, it’s your last chance before closing up shop and going into hibernation for the winter! Let’s take a look at some around-the-house, autumn-cleaning essentials. Here are a few chores that have to be on your fall cleaning checklist.

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Window Washing

After a gorgeous spring and summer, autumn is the final season where you willingly open the windows in your home. So, you might as well take the time to clean them. After all, you’re going to be staring out theses windows longingly for months on end, wishing for summer to come back ASAP. Might as well have a clear view!

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Pack Up Summer Stuff

Close up the sandbox, move the playhouse into the shed, and cover the pool. While fall offers a few glimmers of summertime hope, they become fewer and farther in between as the season goes on. So, before all your kids’ toys get covered in fallen leaves, store them away. Hopefully, they’ll still want to play with them next year!

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Get the Gutters in Shape

When the leaves fall, they need to land somewhere. A common place they end up is in your gutters. Before the first snowfall, you want to make sure those gutters are cleared. Otherwise, melted snow will pool on top of your house and cause damage to your roof. Cleaning out the gutters and downspouts ensures your home is getting adequate drainage.

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Weather Strip the House

Check windows, garages, and doorway entries for any signs of a draft. If so, invest in some weather stripping. Not only will this keep cold air out, but will also help with electricity, oil, and gas costs during the colder weather.

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Get the Furnace/Chimneys Inspected  

Don’t wait until the last minute to get your furnace and chimneys inspected. Otherwise, the first snowfall will be here before you know it and you might be left in the cold. Not to mention, it’s a busy season for inspectors. The sooner you get the ball rolling on this item, the better for everyone.

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Declutter the Kitchen

It’s no secret. We eat more food in colder weather. Part of it is being trapped indoors. The other part is that there are so many holidays during this time centered around food. Kicking off with Halloween, then Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, fall is the time to start clearing out the kitchen. Make more counter space for you to work on by getting rid of unnecessary cookbooks and gadgets. Also, clear out additional room in the pantry for all the holiday cooking essentials. Less clutter will make the impending holidays far less stressful.

 

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Move over, man cave! If you want a little peace and quiet around your household without hiding away in the cold, musty basement, try your backyard on for size. People all over the country are transforming old sheds into round-the-house getaways called she-sheds. She-sheds are the outdoor alternative to man caves and are an easy DIY way to get some R&R. So let’s take a look at what is a she-shed and why you need one!

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What is a She-Shed?
A she-shed is a little enclosed area you put in your backyard and spruce up to fit your mental health needs. It’s purpose in life is to serve you. Whether you need an area to have a cup of tea and read a book, a quiet place to rest your head, or an open space to get your creative juices flowing, a she-shed is the answer you are looking for.

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To create a she-shed, you just need to clean out an old tool shed or abandoned playhouse. From there, you can transform the once disused storage space into your personal staycation getaway.

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If you don’t have any sheds on your property, don’t fret. You can simply buy a tiny house, cottage, barn, or shed from many department stores or hardware outlets such as Home Depot and Sears.

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Why Do I Need a She-Shed?
It’s more like, “Why don’t you need a she-shed?” She-sheds exist for the same reason man caves do…they’re just utilized a bit differently.

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The whole point of a she-shed is to get away. This is especially important for exhausted mothers who need a bit of “me-time,” creative types that need a safe space to explore, or nature lovers that need a break from the actual house itself.

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A she-shed is the perfect opportunity for you to unwind, catch some z’s, or clear your brain. It’s a chance to unplug yourself from what’s going on inside the house and get in tuned with what’s going on inside yourself.

How to Create a She-Shed
Once you have committed to the idea of creating of a she-shed, the next step is to make it yours. The best way to go about decorating your she-shed is to figure out what you are using it for.

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Typically, she-sheds aren’t too big, so it’s not going to fit your 55-inch flat screen, king size bed, and an entire yoga studio. She-sheds are for getaways. They’re not storage units. That’s what actual shed-sheds are for!
Decide why you need a she-shed in the first place. That way you can cater your she-shed to meet your demands. For instance, if you are creating a she-shed to work on a fairy garden, be sure to get a potting bench. Looking to relax with a good book? Get a mini-fridge and a futon. Just want to watch TV? All you need is a rocking chair and the boob tube. Whatever your needs are, she-sheds are ready made to meet them.

Home buying is exciting, eye-opening, and a very time-consuming process. The goal on everyone’s mind is to find the perfect home. But, we often forget the perfect home is more often than not the home we originally didn’t expect. When looking for your next home, take a look at a few things to consider, that will make your new home a good buy and the perfect home for you.

Price

Take a look at your finances. What can you comfortably afford? Once you know what will be a good price for you, finding the right home will come much easier. With a bit of patience and luck, the perfect home might just pop up.

Features

The size of your home is a big factor in finding the right home. How many bathrooms, bedrooms, and living space do you want or actually need? Think about your daily routines and it should be easy to make a list of things you can’t go without.

Location

Take a look at the neighborhood your potential house is in. Is it close to shopping centers? Jobs? Schools? Or, do you mind being a short drive away to be away from all the noise?

Condition

Is the home you’re considering well-maintained or does it need to have some work done? Consider how much you are willing to spend on remodeling. This is the hardest step because you might need to compromise. Don’t frustrate yourself looking for perfection. Sometimes the right home might just be a few repairs away.  

Time

Choosing the right home will take time. Don’t make commitments that will make things challenging. And don’t worry if your house hunting takes a few months longer than anticipated. A home is one of the biggest purchases you will make in your life, so it is okay to take your time to consider if a home meets your criteria.

It may still be snowing in some parts of the country, but spring is almost here. Before the flowers start budding outside, refresh the inside of your home to give your interior spaces that springtime glow.

Bring the outdoors inside

Adding fresh plants or flowers to an otherwise ho-hum space can spice things up in the blink of an eye. Even if you don’t have a garden full of fresh flowers to choose from, greens make a lovely addition to your living room or even an eye-catching centerpiece for your dining room table. Better Homes and Gardens suggests gathering a few fresh fern fronds for dramatic texture and rich color.

Don’t be afraid to add color

One of the easiest ways to perk up your space is to invest in a gallon of paint, call in reinforcements to help you out, and go to town with brushes and rollers. If you’re not incredibly adventurous when it comes to color choices but still want a pick-me-up, try going with a warmer, creamier version of the neutrals you already have; a creamy barely-yellow adds so much more warmth and interest than stark white.

You could even paint an accent wall a bold, fun color and use that space to showcase some of your favorite art or family portraits for your own personal art gallery. ForRent.com suggests incorporating bright colors in a breakfast nook or one of the smaller spaces of your home or apartment. It’s less of a risk than painting your entire kitchen or living room, but still packs a punch.

Reorganize your bookshelves

If you’ve got a fantastic library, now is a great time to take everything off the shelves, blow the dust off the covers, and reorganize. You might even consider artfully stacking books in different directions, some horizontal and some upright. Apartment Therapy reports some pretty impressive results simply by arranging books by color for a uniquely eye-catching display.

Update window treatments

Spring is a great time to trade in your richly-textured drapes for lighter, breezier, more summery colors. If privacy isn’t a huge issue in a space, try adding light, breezy sheer curtains on a thin, minimalist rod. You’ll love how much the change automatically brightens your space. You might also consider substituting your ordinary blinds with Roman Shades. They’re a classier way to control light and privacy, and to update your style.

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