Ever since the introduction of Airbnb in 2008, homeowners don’t have to be serial landlords or own second homes to earn rental income. If you have an in-law apartment or a spare bedroom, you can put those extra square feet to work. Preparing your home to rent will require effort on your part, but the extra income may well be worth it. Read more

The 2022 Diamond Certified Directory has started arriving at homes and businesses throughout the Greater Bay Area. We mailed more than 800,000 directories and we’ve been thrilled with the response! (If you didn’t get your FREE copy, click here.) Read more

One of my proudest moments as a consumer news producer was a story that prompted a national recall. A mother of a 20-month-old had called the TV station where I worked to report that she discovered her toddler had been playing with a dangerous toy. The stuffed bear had a wire protruding from its belly, and luckily, the mom noticed it before the child injured himself. She couldn’t believe the toy manufacturer could get away with selling unsafe stuffed bears nationwide at big retail outlets. Read more

Whether it’s for work, for school or for socializing, the video call is a communication tool that’s here to stay. Over the last year, these calls have given us glimpses into each other’s homes, and one trend that has consequently developed is the presence of a well-curated bookshelf in the background. Celebrities, political leaders, and regular folks alike are using their bookshelves to display meaningful objects and titles. Built-in bookshelves are not only functional and attractive, they can also be a site for self-expression. If your video chats have you thinking about installing a built-in bookshelf, here are some things to consider before you get started. Read more

The Bay Area has already seen numerous destructive wildfires in 2020, and there are still several weeks of hot, dry weather ahead of us. As wildfires become an increasingly common threat to the region, many homeowners are turning to “firescaping,” which is the coordinated use of fire-resistant plants and building materials around the home. With the right plants and hardscaping features, you can make it harder for wildfire to take hold and spread. Firescaping is a type of landscaping, which means you still have many options to create a garden that reflects your personal style. Aside from improving safety and adding beauty, firescaping can increase the value of your home. Read more

Replacing cabinetry is often the most expensive part of a kitchen remodeling project. If you’re on a tight budget or you simply don’t want to spend a lot of money, a good alternative to consider is having your cabinets refaced. By adding new doors and drawer fronts over your cabinets’ existing structure, you can give your kitchen a fresh look for a fraction of the cost. Read more

We’re excited to announce that Diamond Certified recently won a Telly Award for “Best Local TV Commercial.” Our CEO, Greg Louie, spearheaded the creation of three compelling Diamond Certified TV spots, which you can view below. Greg worked with the talented folks at Mnemonic Agency to create these effective commercials last year, which have since run thousands of times on 22 cable networks, KTVU and YouTube.

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