Starter Home Near Airport, Earthquake Park, desirable location for First Time Homebuyers

  When the littlest member of your family gets close to becoming mobile, it’s time to baby-proof. Some people might enlist the help of a professional, but many take on the task themselves. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer then below are some tasks to get you started!   Place baby gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Cover all sharp corners of furniture, counters, and cabinets with bumpers or padding. Insert safety plugs in all outlets or switch over to self closing outlet covers. Install blind cord wraps next to any windows with dangling cords. Add safety locks to all toilets. Lock cabinets and drawers in the bathrooms and kitchen. Secure furniture that can easily tip over, like bookshelves, TV stands, end tables, and sets of drawers, by anchoring them to the wall. Add pinch guards on the side of the doors. Install door knob or lever covers. Cover stove knobs and install an oven door lock. Purchase garbage cans with lids that lock. Mount your TVs on the wall and tuck away any lo...

  As a homeowner, costs can really start to add up, so it never hurts to take measures to help you reduce your monthly utility bills. Below are a few ways to do just that! Electricity Bill:  Saving money on your electricity bill can be done multiple ways.  Some easy changes include running appliances, like the stove, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer, at night, opting to air dry clothes, or cooking meals in a crockpot or toaster oven. Set aside time throughout the year to inspect the areas around doors and windows and seal any cracks with caulk or weather stripping.  Additionally, make sure to unplug electronics when not in use or use a power strip to turn them all off at once. Water Bill:  Your monthly water bill can sneak up on you, but small changes can be made to cut costs. Install WaterSense-certified faucets and shower heads and convert toilets to low flow to reduce the amount of water used. Make sure to regularly check toilets and sinks for leaks and...

  Lighting is such a crucial aspect of your home and can affect the ambiance, energy, and vibe in each room. However, sifting through the various styles, bulbs, and placement options can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips to get you started! 1. There are three different types of lighting. Ambient lighting (or general lighting) fills the room, accent lighting is used to highlight something, such as art, and task lighting is used to help you complete various tasks, such as desk lamps and vanity lights. It’s recommended you have at least two types in each room. 2. Start with selecting task and accent lighting in each room. Many times, the combination of these two provide enough light in a room so overhead lighting may not be needed. 3. To ensure lighting fixtures will mesh well together, try placing images of the fixtures on a Word document to see the full picture before purchasing. 4. Light bulb selection is equally important as fixture selection. By choosing incandescent or halo...