Air Conditioning, Home Maintenance, Homeownership

Think Your AC Won’t Make it Through the Summer? Here are Some Fixes

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AC won't make itBy: Douglas Trattner

Is your AC making ominous noises? Maybe it sounds fine but isn’t cooling. Here’s a list of common air conditioning warning signs and their likely causes and fixes.

“Let comfort be your guide,” says Tom Hutchinson of Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling. Air conditioning is all about comfort, so the simplest way to evaluate your system is to ask: Am I comfortable?

Air conditioning and HVAC units don’t last forever — 12 years is an average lifespan — and the moment they fail is usually when you need them the most.

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Barbecue, Fun, safety

Grilling Safety

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Grilling SafetyMore people grill in July than any other month. While grilling is all about good food, fun, friends and celebrations, it is important to make sure that accidents don’t interrupt your activities. Approximately half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns. If you work with fire, there’s a chance of getting burned.

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San Diego County Schools

Seven North County Schools Designated ‘Gold Ribbon Schools’

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Gold Ribbon Schools
Photo credit: Chris Carey

The State Department of Education designated seven North County schools as “Gold Ribbon Schools” on Tuesday. This honor temporarily replaces the California Distinguished Schools Program.

“These schools are academically successful, vibrant, and innovative centers of learning and teaching,” said Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public instruction. “They provide great examples of the things educators are doing right — embracing rigorous academic standards, providing excellence and creativity in teaching, and creating a positive school climate.”

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Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Homeownership, Renters

Rent Again?

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rent againAfter you take the training wheels off your bike and learn to ride it, you’d never consider putting them back on again. Similarly, once you’ve owned a home, you might think you’ll own a home from now on; but there may be some situations where it makes sense to rent again.

Big shifts in a person’s life like a divorce, death of a spouse, empty nesting or a temporary transfer to a new city are certainly things that may warrant renting, at least temporarily, until you know what your long term plans are.

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Home Buyers, Homeowners, tax

Homeowner Tax Tips

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homeowner tax tipsEven if you’re having a professional help you with your income tax return, you need to provide them with information on the money you spent that might be deductible. Look at the following list of homeowner tax tips to see if any of these things need a little more investigation to determine if they apply to your situation.

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Home Improvement, Homeowners, tax

Raise the Basis and Lower the Gain

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capital improvement registerHomeowners can raise the basis or cost in their home by money spent on capital improvements. The benefit is that it will lower their gain and may save them taxes when they sell their home.

Improvements must add value to your home, prolong its useful life or adapt it to new uses. Repairs are routine in nature to maintain the value and keep the property in an ordinary, operating condition. They do not raise its basis.

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holidays, safety

Holiday Tree Safety

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holiday tree safetyFresh holiday trees are beautiful, smell great and really add to the spirit of the season. Following some proven holiday tree safety tips might help you avoid a disaster and keep the Grinch away.

  • Select a tree with fresh green needles that don’t fall off when touched or when the trunk is tapped on the ground.
  • When trees are cut too early, they have a greater risk of drying out and can become more dangerous especially with electrical lights.

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Home Maintenance, Homeownership

The Heat Is On

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the heat is on thermostatAs the weather gets cooler and you get ready to turn on the heat, it’s a good time to check your HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system to make sure it’s operating properly. While it’s wise to have your HVAC inspected by a heating professional every fall and spring, you can increase the efficiency of your system by following these simple maintenance tips from American Home Shield.

Now:

Use a high-efficiency pleated filter with an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest particles. Replace the filter every 90 days and check it monthly. If it looks dark and clogged, change it, and if you have pets, you may need to change it more often.

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Home Buyers, Home Sellers, real estate

Common Real Estate Terms

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Common real estate terms like CC&Rs, a cloud on title, or PITI are frequently used in the real estate industry but often unknown outside of it. The California Land Title Association has put together a list defining many of these terms.

If you’d like to know the meaning behind those strange terms and acronyms, read on.

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Mortgage, Reverse Mortgage

Reverse Mortgage

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What Is a Reverse Mortgage?

Updated February 2, 2026

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Homeowners considering a reverse mortgage should consult with qualified professionals to determine whether it is appropriate for their individual circumstances.

With encouragement from celebrity spokespersons such as Fred Thompson, Robert Wagner, and Henry Winkler, awareness of reverse mortgages increased significantly over the past decade. As the population continues to age, the topic remains relevant, with more than 25 million homeowners meeting the minimum age requirement.

A reverse mortgage allows homeowners age 62 or older who live in their home as a primary residence to access a portion of their home equity. The amount available is based on the borrower’s age, the home’s current value, and prevailing interest rates. Loan proceeds may be received as a single lump sum, a line of credit, or as periodic payments. Closing costs can be paid in cash or rolled into the loan amount.

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