Is Your Home Ready For El Nino?

 Give your home some TLC before rain storms and cold temperatures will surprise you with an unexpected roof leakage or a high energy bill in Fall and Winter. Below are some of my family's checkpoints before I let them carve the Thanksgiving turkey:

Think Gutters: Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts.

Be an Energy Efficient Ambassador: Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors with weather-stripping and caulk.

Get on Top, Check Your Roof:Inspect your roof for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing, or leaky vents.

Walks the Walks: Take steps to repair damaged sidewalks, driveways, and steps.

Chill out. Drain and winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation systems.

Freshen Up: Clean or replace dirty furnace filters.

Give Your Furnace a Physical. Have a professional inspect your heating system.

Gather Round the Hearth. Check fireplaces for soot or creosote build-up. Better yet, schedule a visit from a reputable chimney sweep.

Keep the Humidifier Humming. Clean the plates or pads to ensure efficient operation.

Keep the Fires Burning: Wood stoves are making a comeback. To avoid a deadly situation, be sure to inspect yours before firing it up and check with your city for "No Burn Days". 

Keep your family safe at home. A home safety check should be an annual ritual in every household - I schedule this on the Fall Forward Day when I am not only switching the time on my clock but also test smoke and CO monitors, inspect fire extinguishers, review fire escape plans, have gas appliances checked and rid my home of clutter. 

THE CO$T CONUNDRUM - Homebuyers Beware of Unexpected Costs

If you buy a new home, there is more to budget for than just mortgage and down payment. As stated in the July 2015 edition of The Epoch Times, 75% of homebuyers will face a costly emergency repair within the first 12 months of moving into their new home. Most homebuyers reported that they spend more time and money on remodel projects and unexpected damages than they initially anticipated.

Blocked toilets and pipes, a clogged train, and a broken heating or a/c system belong to the most frequent repairs within the first 12 months.

It is recommended to homebuyers to budget 1% of their home purchase price for repairs so that there is no rude awakening after close of escrow from the dream of owning a home.

Enjoy Cinco De Mayo!

Hollister Wine and Beer Stroll Coming Saturday, May 2nd

Walk through historic downtown and have a glass of Pinot or beer. Coming Saturday, May 2nd, check out charming Hollister

There Is No Bad Time to Buy A Home - All You Need Is The Right Strategy - Do You Have One?

Don't Sleep On It If You Want To Sleep In It!

#absorption rate

Millenials Discover the South County Suburbs

....and I hope that home sellers in Morgan Hill, San Martin, Hollister and Gilroy are dancing the happy dance right now because the majority of Millenials are not looking for that expensive ocean view in San Francisco or urban loft in San Jose's Santana Row - no, they are placing offers in our affordable suburban and rural neighborhoods.