Tag

around the house

Mar 15
0

Your home and the Corona virus – silver lining

By | Sonoma County info | No Comments

As we see the pandemic unfold, we see it more and more affecting our every day life. Creating new habits and adjusting to a new reality. Oddly enough the basic advise from the CDC is to wash your hands frequently… Which is not a bad habit to have, washing hands seems ‘out of fashion’ in favor of using hand sanitizer. While this has for sure a place, the basic washing hands is what we ‘hopefully’ all learned when we were kids: It never goes out of style.

The recommendation to keep a save distance from others and for a lot of people the advise to ‘self-quarantine’ means to stay at home. One quote I saw popping by this week was when considering buying a new home: ‘can you see yourself being quarantined here’.  

Being home bound, working from home, now is a good opportunity to do things that we never get around to do: spring cleaning, organizing closets, working in the yard to prepare for summer, name it.  This is an opportunity to start new habits that last a life time.

There is always a silver lining. The pandemic caused by the Corona virus has cause mortgage interest rates to new historic level. A great time to refinance, being homebound will mean we have more time to get the needed paperwork in order. Contact me in case you are looking for a great lender to work with.

And last but not least, a great time to finally make that move to your dream home. The spring selling season has already started in the wine county, the forecast is a healthy real estate market in out area. And new technology makes it easier than ever to virtually tour a home as well as other out of the box solutions.

And in the mean time, enjoy our beautiful surroundings !

 

Mirjam

Jun 30
0

A little more than 6 months later

By | Firestorm 2017, Sonoma County info, Visit WineCountry | No Comments

Rebuilding goes fast! When my dad first came to visit us in the United States and noticed homes being made of wood instead of brick, his first response was: If I would live here I would built my own house. In the Netherlands, all homes are made of brick and concrete, a much longer process. Remodeling is also a lot more complicated. 

I had to think of dad when seeing some of the homes that are rebuilt after the fires, already ready to move into! The Coffey park area has quite a few that are ready to move back in, as a matter of fact the first home owner moved in a few weeks ago. Dan Bradford was the first to move back into his rebuilt home in the Coffee Park area. Per June 22 there were 222 homes under construction in the Coffey area. In the Mark West area as well as in the Fountaingrove area, we are seeing the same happens. It shows the resilience and determination to rebuilt and restore our local community #sonomastrong

In the mean time we all have become more aware of fire hazards, planting more fire resistant vegetation around the house, and creating a fire barrier were possible. 

The local parks are an explosion of wild flowers, it’s an incredible time to go outdoors and see the rebirth of our parks, Sonoma County is a beautiful place to live. Check out the website of the regional parks to pick your favorite park. And while you visit the website, either join or donate, extra funds are needed to support the rebuilt of the trails.

It’s a great time to visit enjoy everything our beautiful area has to offer!

Mirjam

Dec 17
0

Home Improvement Projects are booming

By | Around the house, Buyers, Sellers | No Comments

The Return on Home Improvement Projects

NAR’s 2015 Remodeling Impact Report shows both buyers and sellers  benefit of a completed home improvement project. The report documents the reasons why a particular project is chosen and measures the happiness a project can bring the owner once the project is complete. Sixty-four percent of respondents experienced increased enjoyment in their home after completing a project,  75 percent of respondents said they felt a major sense of accomplishment. Although home improvements can be time consuming and sometimes costly, these positive responses seem to indicate that the end result is worth the investment.

When it comes to interior projects:  kitchen upgrades, complete kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations and new wood flooring are among the best investments. These projects also appear to have the highest expected value at resale. Exterior projects that bring the best return on investment and attract potential buyers are: new roofing; new vinyl windows; new garage doors. The majority of these exterior projects are projected to nearly cover their cost at resale.

Remodeling projects can greatly improve both the value of and satisfaction with your home. This makes a remodel project worth your while, no matter the reason for a project,

This report highlights the best projects to consider in either situation and showcases just how much of a difference a good and professional remodel can make in real numbers.

Mirjam

Mar 08
0

Time to garden… landscaping in the spring.

By | Around the house | No Comments

While in the Netherlands it takes till April until the nice spring weather start, Springtimein Sonoma County, it’s usually February that gives me that ‘it’s spring again’ feeling.  Such is life in the Bay Area.

While January is the perfect time to plant bare rooted trees, spring is just around the corner. Besides, it’s never too early to start thinking about spring plantings and home landscaping plans for the coming year, especially if you plan to put your property on the market.

The Professional Landcare Network, the national trade association for landscape professionals, offers smart advice for homeowners looking to get a jump on spring. Here’s a quick summary of the organization’s recommendations:

  • First, inspect the trees and shrubs in your yard, looking for limbs or branches that might be broken or damaged. Prune them or have them removePruning treesd by a professional.
  • Rake away leaves and other debris from plant beds, prune any dead branches, and create tidy borders around the beds using an edging tool.
  • Test the soil every few years to make sure it has the proper pH balance and nutrient mix. Most garden centers sell soil-testing kits if you’re in do-it-yourself mode, or you can consult a lawn-care or landscape professional.
  • Depending on the plants in your yard and the soil conditions, you may want to fertilize it, along with trees and shrubs. Check with an expert for the timing and type of fertilizer. When possible, choose slow-release or controlled-release nutrients to prevent runoff and increase absorption
  • Add an inch-thick layer of mulch in plant beds and around trees, but don’t let the mulch touch the tree trunk and never let it accumulate to more than a three-inch depth. Mulch makes planting areas look neat and also helps to retain moisture in the soil. It keeps the roots cool in the summer and insulates them in the winter.
  • Check your outdoor lights for broken fixtures. Reset timers when daylight saving time begins on March 8.

If you have questions about pest management at home or in your yard or garden, a local  nursery is a great resource. Personally I find the people at Harmony nursery in Sebastopol very helpful and very knowledgeable.

Happy gardening and share some pictures when you have a chance

Mirjam

Sep 21
0

Location – disclosures : Mold…

By | Buyers, Sellers, Sonoma County info | No Comments

GiethoornGrowing up in the Netherlands and living in older homes, mold was something we didn’t think to much about, clean the area thoroughly every so often and that was it… Now I am involved in selling property, I do look a little different at the subject.

Disclosures: when buying or renting in California, it feels like the amount of disclosures are never ending. One of them is the Residential Environmental Hazards booklet. It informs about hazards in and around the home. One of them is mold.

Blue cheeseRealize that mold is a hazard but also a friend… How so? Think about that delicious blue cheese… the blue stuff is… mold. And penicillin is made from mold. It is a fungus, in the same family as mushrooms.

But mold can also be an environmental hazard. There are several different types of mold. Black mold is toxic and an environmental hazard. Realize that mold can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. This means if the cause is remedied – lack of ventilation, moisture – and affected area is cleaned, mold will not come back.  

When selling property, sellers are recommended to have a “Pest Inspection” done prior to putting the home on the market. At that time items that need correction can be addressed prior to putting the property on the market. Buyers are recommended to also have an inspection done as part of their due diligence. The inspector will always have solutions when problems arise, or will recommend preventive maintenance as needed.

Mirjam