Charity, Gifts, holidays

9 Ways to Share the Spirit of the Season

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9 Ways to Share the Spirit of the Season

The holiday season is upon us, and many of us have already begun to celebrate. From trimming trees to lighting candles, it’s the time of year to fill your homes (and hearts) with holiday joy.

But there’s no need to stop at your front door. Let the spirit of the season radiate outward from your house into your community. Some homeowners hang outdoor lights and decorations to help make the neighborhood “merry and bright.” But that’s not the only way to share the magic of the holidays with others.

Not sure where to start? Check out these 9 inspirational ideas for spreading cheer far and near!

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Christmas lights, Holiday Lights, holidays, San Diego County

Best San Diego Holiday Lights Guide 2018

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San Diego Holiday Lights
SDBG by Rachel Cobb

Here’s your San Diego Holiday Lights Guide for 2018! Grab your kids, grandkids, inner-kids and friends and enjoy the magic. If you are looking for other fun holiday events in North County and San Diego County, you can find them here.

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Home Maintenance

Fall Maintenance

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Fall Maintenance

Winter is just around the corner, hopefully with some much needed rain. It is a good time to get some fall maintenance done before that rain starts and we get too busy with the holidays. Here’s a checklist to keep your Southern California home and yard in good shape and help you avoid expensive repairs.

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Investment, Mortgage, Rental Properties

Fast Track Rental Property

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Fast Track Rental Property

FHA allows you to purchase properties with up to four units with a minimum 3.5% down payment. But to do this, you must be an owner-occupant. This is a great opportunity to buy rental property without having to make a large cash investment. It might allow you to fast track rental property. You can use the rent you collect on three units to help make the payment, and your cost would be quite a bit less.

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Homeownership, Insurance

Homeowners Insurance: Are You Covered?

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Homeowners Insurance: Are You Covered?

No one likes to think about disasters. Severe weather, fire, theft, or even a seemingly small issue like a broken pipe, can wreak havoc on your home and result in thousands of dollars in damages. Fortunately, a good homeowners insurance policy can offer you peace of mind that you and your family will be financially protected if disaster strikes.

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long-term rental, Rental Properties, short-term rental

Renters for a Weekend or a While: What’s the Best Investment Strategy?

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investment strategy long-term vs. short-term rental

The residential rental market is now the fastest-growing segment of the housing market. In the United States, the demand for single-family rentals, defined as either detached homes or townhouses, has risen 30 percent in the past three years.

At the same time, the short-term, or vacation, rental market is also booming. The popularity of online marketplaces like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO has helped the short-term rental market become one of the hottest areas in the travel industry.

Now, more than ever, there is an abundance of opportunity for real estate investors. But which path is best: leasing your property to a long-term tenant, or renting your property to travelers on a short-term basis?

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Home Buyers, Home Inspections, Tips and Ideas

Avoid These Top 8 Home Inspection Errors

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Home Inspection Errors

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of buying a home. Once you’ve had an offer accepted on your dream house, you’ll probably be anxious to move in. However, before you make a significant financial commitment, it’s best to know exactly what you’re buying.

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Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Homeownership, Storage, Tips and Ideas

7 Garage Storage Mistakes

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7 Garage Storage Mistakes

If you use your garage as storage space, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, because the space isn’t climate controlled, it’s best to keep these items elsewhere and avoid these storage mistakes according to Realtor.com:

1 Family Photos

Pollutants, moisture and heat can quickly destroy your photos. You should digitize all of yours. If that’s not an option for you, keep printed copies in a dry area inside your home.

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Moving, Tips and Ideas

7 Steps to a Seamless Move

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7 Steps to a Seamless Move

Whatever your reasons are for relocating to a new area, the process can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, you’ll be changing more than your address. Besides a new house, you may also be searching for new jobs, schools, doctors, restaurants, stores, service providers and more.

You’ll need to pack, make moving arrangements, and possibly sell your old home. With so much to do, you may be wondering: Where do I start?

In this guide, I outline 7 steps to a seamless move. These steps will help you get prepared, get organized, and get settled in your new community. My hope is to alleviate the hassle of relocating—so you can focus on the exciting adventure ahead!

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Home Sellers, Home Staging, Interior Design, Resale Homes, Tips and Ideas

10 Staging Secrets for a Quick Sale

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10 Staging Secrets for a Quick Sale

According to the National Association of Realtors, staging a home prior to listing it can result in a faster and more profitable sale. In fact, the Real Estate Staging Association estimates that professionally staged properties spend 73 percent less time on the market, receive more foot traffic, and typically sell for more money.

Staging Secrets - Staged for Success
Source: National Association of Realtors®
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