Diamond Certified Blog

As California faces another year of drought, everyone in the San Francisco Bay Area is once again being urged to conserve water. While those of us whose homes are connected to city water supply networks will be doing our part, it can be easy to take this admonishment for granted—after all, no matter what happens, we can rely on water coming out when we turn on the faucet. However, for many rural homeowners, water conservation is less a civic responsibility than an act of survival. Read more

An unusually dry winter and windy conditions mean the Bay Area wildfire season is off to an early start in 2021. We’ve compiled this list of tips to help you prepare for the threat of wildfire and the presence of wildfire smoke in your community. Read more

You might think your auto mechanic is providing everything that your car needs, but how can you be sure? Listen to this mini podcast by Chris Bjorklund, the Savvy Consumer, for some advice on what to look for in an auto repair shop. Read more

I’ve rented a lot of cars over the years, but I’ve never seen what I’m seeing today. Prices are high due to low inventories, and in some cases, no cars are available at any price. The strategies I’ve used in the past to save money have been upended by unanticipated consumer demand. The rental car industry sold off large numbers of vehicles during the pandemic to stay afloat, and those same companies are now having trouble ramping up with new cars due to manufacturing delays. This shortage in some popular destinations could last through the summer. Read more

Along with seasonal activities like swimming, barbecuing and beach-going, summer presents an ideal occasion for a perennial favorite pastime: the great American road trip. However, while you may be ready for rockin’ down the highway, if your vehicle isn’t roadworthy, your asphalt adventure could end up being short-lived. To ensure your vehicle is primed, read the following inspection and maintenance checklist. Read more

Winter rain totals for Northern California fell far short of expectations this year. Once again, state and local governments are anticipating drought conditions in the near future, and some communities are already restricting water usage. When the Bay Area faced a persistent drought just a few years ago, residents learned how to adapt. Here’s a refresher on changes you can make to limit water use in your home and garden during a drought.  Read more

Whether it’s an investment property or a family home, selling real estate is no simple undertaking. Besides the high stakes involved, there are several aspects to address, from perfecting the property’s visual presentation to strategizing a marketing campaign. To help you make the most of your property sale, we’ve asked six Diamond Certified Expert Contributors in the real estate field to provide their insights. Read more

One of the most challenging aspects of raising children is caring for their health. In this article, we answer some frequently asked questions about children’s dental, vision and hearing care. Read more

Pollen is relentless in the spring throughout the Bay Area. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you’re probably familiar with the discomfort that arrives with the warmer weather. While there’s little you can do to control the presence of pollen outdoors, you do have options for limiting your exposure to allergens indoors. In this article, we’ll explore how you can improve your home’s air quality to alleviate allergy symptoms.  Read more

For reasons I won’t go into here, my husband and I recently found ourselves in possession and taking care of five automobiles. For a while, my nickname in the family was “Fleet Manager.” One of the vehicles was sent to the East Coast by transport to our son, but that still left us with two extra used cars. We decided it was time to sell my 2015 Honda Fit and my husband’s beloved ’69 Volkswagen Beetle. (He was the original owner!) Read more